Old Fisherman’s Trail Challenge Race Rules and Regulations
Introduction:
The rules at hand apply to Old Fisherman’s Trail Challenge, which will be referred to as OFTC. By virtue of registering, paying and participating in the OFTC, competitors in the OFTC acknowledge that they have read, understand and accept the rules and regulations of participation.
The OFTC is a trail challenge event specifically for individual competitors. There are no relay teams permitted on this race.
The organisers and the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) have limited the number of entries of competitors. This is for safety and environmental reasons and to keep with the ethos of trail running being out there without in the the crowds enjoying the awesome mountains we have in the Cape.
Note this race can take up to 6 hours to complete and is run during the winter months. All competitors will need to be prepared adequately – please ensure you are equipped appropriately.
Prerequisites for Competing in the OFTC:
To participate as an individual, competitors have to be at least 20 years of age on race day.
Each competitor is responsible for ensuring adequate physical fitness; this is paramount for competing in the event. If necessary, seek medical consultation to ascertain adequate preparedness.
The race organisers reserve the right to reject the registration of a competitor. Please refer to the section on the Entry Process for the OFTC which governs withdrawal or cancellation by the competitor.
Entering Process:
Total number allowed on the mountain at one time is 250 trail runners.
All entries will be done online.
Basic breakdown is as follows and explained below:
Previous Years Winners – 12
Previous Years Participants – 146
Sponsors – 6
Development Runners – 6
Waiting List – 76
Wildcards – 4
Everyone one on the mailing list will receive an email informing them when entries will open and the date will also be published on the website.
Everyone who is fit enough and brave enough is invited to enter BUT
The first 146 previous year participants to enter online will be allocated an entry to the OFTC 2011 first, all other entries (previous participants and new comers) will automatically be assigned a place on the waiting list.
If you are assigned a place on the waiting list you will receive an email informing you of your position on the waiting list.
If you were assigned a place in the race you will be asked to make payment within 48 hours which can be done online or via eft.
Please note the waiting list for 2010 has been carried forward to this year.
All those currently on the waiting list will be added to the mailing list and will receive the same email all previous participants will receive informing them of when entries open for 2011.
WINNERS 12:
To ensure the competitive edge of the race the first and second place winners of each category (Seniors, Woman, Vets, Woman Vet, Masters; Woman Masters are guaranteed a place in the this years race (2011). The same will apply for the coming years; the winners will be guaranteed a place in the next year’s race.
If the winners’ places are not filled, the unfilled places will be allocated to the Previous Year’s Participant’s allotment.
All previous year winners will receive an email inviting them to race and how to enter.
PREVIOUS YEAR’S PARTICIPANTS’ LIST – 146:
All individual participants that completed at least the first leg of last year’s race will be invited to enter.
No previous year’s participant is guaranteed a place in the race (only winners). The first 146 previous participants of the 250 that enter first online will be allocated a place in the OFTC 2011. If a previous year participant is unsuccessful in obtaining an entry they will automatically be allocated a place on the waiting list and will be sent an email informing them of their position on the waiting list.
WAITING LIST: 76
The first 76 names on the waiting list will be guaranteed a place and will receive an email requesting payment within 48 hours. If payment is not received or you decide not to run your name will be moved to the bottom of the waiting list.
There will be no individual substitutions this year; the people on the waiting list will be allocated a place when someone withdrawals.
The waiting list has been carried through from 2010.
SPONSORS: 6
Sponsor places are reserved for the race sponsors and are allocated at the race organiser’s discretion.
PREVIOUSLY DISAVANTAGED RUNNERS: 6
Previously Disadvantaged trail runner’s places will be allocated at the race organiser’s discretion in conjunction with various athletics clubs. If these places are not filled they will be allocated to the waiting list trail runners.
WILDCARD ENTRIES: 4
Four places will be awarded to random trail runners at the race organiser’s discretion. These entrants will be invited by email.
Withdrawal and Substitution
WITHDRAWAL
If you are unable to race this year after you have received your race confirmation email for 2011, would like to defer until 2012 and would like a 30% refund of your entry fee please follow the following procedures:
1.Return your Race Confirmation Email to trailchallenge@sports4u.co.za with subject “withdrawal”.
2.Provide your banking details in the above email for your 30% refund which will be paid out a week after race day.
3.State if you wish to be invited for 2012 Old Fisherman’s Trail Challenge. Please note:
• Your race number will be destroyed
• You are only allowed to carry over your entry to the next year’s race once, therefore you cannot defer 2011 and 2012 and expect to race in 2013.
• You will forfeit your t-shirt (hence the refund).
SUBSTITUTION
There will be NO substitutions this year. Anyone wishing to withdraw from the race is to follow the procedures for withdrawal above. Trail Runner’s from the waiting list will fill the withdrawal positions.
Race Registration:
It is compulsory to attend Race Registration to receive your Race Passport, Race Map and related items. If you are from up country and are unable to make race registration you are required to email the race organiser (trailchallenge@sports4u.co.za) to make an alternative arrangement.
Failure to attend Race Registration or notify the race organiser will result in disqualification from the race and competitors will not be allowed to start the race.
Competitors must show their signed Race Confirmation Email when registering.
Race Equipment:
Every competitor in the OFTC is expected to be self sufficient and equipped in accordance with the requirements of the race rules. It is compulsory for all competitors to carry the following equipment, themselves throughout the duration of the race.
• First Aid kit (must include: wound dressing, bandages – triangular and safety pins.)
• Waterproof outer shell (NOT a wind proof jacket).
• Thermal base layer
• Space blanket
• Backpack / camel pack / bum bag
• Minimum of one litre (1L) of water
• Whistle
• Food for a minimum of 5 hours – note this race can take up to 8 hours.
• Cell phone – charged!
• Compass or GPS
• Race Passport (has all emergency numbers on)
There will be random equipment checks at any time and place during or immediately after the race. If competitors are found without the specified equipment they will be disqualified from the race and their race result will be displayed as “DSQ”.
Timing:
Timing is recorded individually for each participant and relies on a personalized barcode on each competitor’s Race Passport.
It is imperative that the barcode is scanned at the following points in order for your time to be recorded:
• Start – Hout Bay Yacht Club
• Check Point One – Silvermine Dam
• Finish Line – Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club
Failure to have your Race Passport scanned will result in no Race Result. In addition a search and rescue party will be launched with the appropriate emergency authorities – at the cost of the negligent competitor/s.
If for some reason an individual decides not to run the second or third leg of the race he/she MUST inform the time keeper and hand in their Race Passport to the time keeper. Failure to hand in their race passport will result in a search and rescue party being launched with the appropriate emergency authorities – at the cost of the negligent competitor/s.
Remember NO RACE PASSPORT = NO RACE = NO RESULT!
Race Passport:
The Race Passport comprises of the personalized barcode, name, emergency numbers and Passport Control blocks.
To be classified as an official ‘finisher’ of the race, all Passport Control blocks need to be punched with the correct punch on route. Note each passport control point will have a different punch! If a trail runner fails to punch his /her Race Passport they will be given a time penalty of 15 minutes for each missed Control Point.
Parking:
There is parking outside the Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club.
You may park in the Hout Bay Harbour parking area, but please DO NOT park on the yellow or red lines. The red and yellow areas are reserved for buses and vendors.
Parking is at your own risk. Please do not leave any valuables in your car.
Remember there will be a bus service from Fish Hoek to Hout Bay (the start of the race).
Marshals:
There will be Marshals along the route please respect and adhere to marshals warnings and directions. Please be vigilant when crossing the roads.
There will be marshals at dangerous sections of the route and at the check points with radios. If you or any other competitor has any problems please report to one of the marshals.
Seconding:
The NO MOBILE SECONDING rule will be strictly enforced. No seconds may cycle or run alongside any competitor on the route. The STAND AND HAND rule, whereby a competitor’s second may stand at the various check points and hand refreshments to their competitor while they remain stationary will apply.
No seconds may travel on the route. The race officials will deal with any transgression of this rule and the penalty may include disqualification after a warning.
Medical Assistance:
There will be a paramedic at the check point (Silvermine Dam) and at the finish line. If you require medical assistance please report to the paramedic on duty at these points.
If you require medical assistance on the mountain, firstly phone the emergency number provided on your Race Passport. If you are unable to contact the race organiser then either send another competitor to the closest medic or report to the closest marshal who will be able to radio for medical assistance.
Any cost for medical or rescue services accrued during the race or after the race will be paid for by the competitor.
Start Procedures:
The start of the race will be outside the Hout Bay Yacht Club. All competitors must report to the official timekeeper in the Hout Bay Yacht Club to have their race passport swiped. Competitors can start checking in from 07h00.
It is imperative to have your race passport scanned even if you are late for the start. If you are late please make sure you find the official Time Keeper after the start of the race and have your Race Passport scanned before you start the race. The official Time Keeper will leave the start 30 minutes after the event has started.
Failure to have your Race Passport scanned at the start will mean no results and more importantly we won’t go looking for you if you get lost! We will have no record of you being on the mountain!
The race will start at sunrise on the day of the race, approximately 08h00 but this will be light dependant on the day.
Check Point:
Silvermine Dam:
All competitors are to have their Race Passport scanned by the Timer Keeper at the Check Point.
Failure to do this will mean no results and a search and rescue party with the appropriate emergency authorities will be launched – at the cost of the negligent competitor.
Spectators and seconds are more than welcome at the check point, but are to please keep away from the time keeper's table and park in the designated parking areas.
Cut-Off Times:
All competitors will need to complete leg one within two hours after the start of the race – Hout Bay Yacht Club to Silvermine Dam.
All competitors will need to complete leg two – Silvermine Dam to Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club by 12h30.
Competitors that fail to complete a leg within the given time will be asked to refrain from continuing the race.
If the competitor chooses to continue the race after the cut off time, they do so at their own risk and without the support of the race organisers.
Competitors that do not complete the race will be marked as ‘DNF’ (Did Not Finish) on the results board.
Finish:
The competitor to cross the finish line first after completing the course in the correct order, with the correct equipment and with a complete Race Passport will be classified as the winner of the OFTC.
All competitors to cross the finish line having completed the course in the correct order, with the correct equipment and with a complete Race Passport will be considered official ‘finishers’ of the OFTC.
Withdrawing from / Dropping out of the OFTC
Competitors who – for whatever reason – can not or do not want to continue the OFTC are obliged to promptly give notice of their decision to the race official at the nearest check point or finish line, or they are to call the Race Organiser (cell number provided on their Race Passport) and inform them of your action.
If a competitor does not give notification of their withdrawal, the race organiser reserves the right to launch a search and rescue party with the appropriate emergency services – at the cost of the negligent competitor/s.
Rules of the Mountain:
The OFTC is run through the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) which is a world heritage site. Therefore all competitors of the race agree to minimize any negative effects to the environment (natural, cultural, historical and aesthetics).
All competitors must only use existing paths. You are NOT allowed to create your own path. Competitors observed taking a short cut will be disqualified.
Trampling and removing indigenous vegetation is not permitted. Competitors observed doing so will be disqualified.
No foreign material of any kind is to be left behind. All rubbish can be disposed of at the check points where black plastic bags will be available.
Toilet facilities are available at the start Hout Bay Yacht Club, Silvermine Dam and the finish, Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club. If competitors find it necessary to defecate along the route then this should take place well away from the path and waterways (50 m is recommended) and must be buried.
No dogs or pets are allowed on the race due to safety reasons.
An emergency service will be on standby at the check points and at the finish, Mountain Rescue has been notified of the race and will be on standby.
Competitors are not permitted to smoke or light any fire on the route.
All competitors of the OFTC are expected to give way to all public hikers on the route.
The race is run through public walking areas and therefore competitors must slow down when approaching hikers on the route. If a competitor should come across an injured competitor (or hiker) they are expected to assist and notify the nearest race marshal before continuing on the race.
Race Officials, Protests and other sanctions:
It’s the responsibility of the race official and race organiser to pass decisions on the race event and any course of action.
The Race Official’s decision is final.
All protests must be in writing and given to the race organiser within 30 minutes of your finishing time.
A competitor will automatically be disqualified for the following breaches of regulations:
1. Improper disposal of rubbish
2. Taking short cuts
3. Removal of flora or fauna
A competitor will receive a time penalty (between 10 and 30 minutes or more) for the following breaches of regulations:
1. Incomplete passport.
2. Having another competitor carry your equipment
Prize Giving:
Prize giving will be at the Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club and will commence at 13h00 unless advised otherwise via announcement at the finish.
There will be lucky draw prizes, but you have to be present at the prize giving to receive your prize.
There will be prizes for the following categories:
1. Senior Men (20 – 39 years old on the day of the race) – 1st, 2nd and 3rd
2. Vet men (40 – 49 years old on the day of the race) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd
3. Master men (50 + years old on the day of the race) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd
4. Senior Lady (20 – 39 years old on the day of the race) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd
5. Vet Lady (40 – 49 years old on the day of the race) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd
6. Master Lady (50 + years old on the day of the race) – only the first and second unless there are more than 6 athletes within this category)
Enjoy the race and have fun.
Remember to “Leave only footprints!”
