Rules & Regulations
All participants of the Adventure Race Japan will need to review the following Rules and Regulations. These include details of team composition, scoring, penalties, competitor withdrawal, and more.
The Challenge
1. Participants must be 18 years older. A team must be comprised of 3 members.
2. Using the map provided by the organiser, the teams must follow the instructions on the map and pass through the checkpoints (CP), aids and transition areas (TA) to reach the finish line while following the rules of the game.
3. You have entered the Green Dragon Race (hiking) or Black Dragon Race (running).
4. The overall ranking is determined by the total of the following three event points.
- Trail Running/Hiking Time Points
- Rogaining Challenge Points
- Fundraising Challenge Results
Team
Teams must race together and reach the finish line without changing members during the race. They must be able to see each other and communicate verbally while in action. Teams may not receive outside assistance during the race other than via the event organiser.
Emergency Action
In the event of an emergency requiring medical attention by anyone involved in the event, this will be prioritised and if necessary, we will stop the race at this point and provide assistance.
Rules for protecting the Natural Environment
The course of this race will be held in a precious natural environment with areas designated as national parks inhabited by rare animals and plants. We have established the following rules to avoid adversely affecting the irreplaceable forest ecosystem. Please read and strictly abide by the following rules:
- To reduce the impact on the trail, you are not allowed to use any kind of poles or stakes.
- Do not stray from the trail/course. No overtaking and other restrictions will be set where necessary to protect the natural environment.
- It is prohibited to collect or damage animals, plants, fungi, rocks, etc. in all areas/ on course.
- Shortcutting corners on the course is forbidden as it will damage the vegetation.
- Do not leave litter in any area.
- Please use the restrooms at each aid station. When unavoidable, use a self-portable toilet. If you use paper, be sure to take it home with you.
- Within national parks, efforts are being made to protect nature and promote its appropriate use through mechanisms based on the Nature Conservation and Natural Parks Act. Reference: National Park System (Ministry of the Environment website) http://www.env.go.jp/park/system/index.html
- On the day of the event, even if there are no safety concerns, there is a possibility that, if we judge that the trail conditions cannot withstand use by the large number of participants, we will decide to set up a walking section, change the course, or cancel the event.
Rules for National Parks and General hikers
There are no clear regulations for running on trails in national parks,
- The trails are designed for walking, so take care when running.
- Because of this, if there are general hikers on the course, general hikers who are using the trails should be given priority.
- All hikers on the course must be given priority.
- When overtaking, be sure to make the overtaking person aware that you are overtaking by calling out to them, and then walk in a safe place within the trail and do not run past them.
- When passing each other, give priority to hikers and give way to hikers in a safe place before passing each other.
Safety Briefing and Equipment check – obligatory
- All participants must attend the Safety Briefing which will take place on Thursday 15th May, late afternoon.
- If you are late arriving through no fault of your own and miss the safety briefing, please report to a member of the event team so that you can be briefed.
- Participants must undergo an equipment check on Thursday 15th May. This will take place in the hotel foyer and it is recommended that you do this as early as possible after arrival.
- Equipment checks by proxy are not allowed.
- If you do not complete the equipment check and attend the Safety Briefing you will not be able to participate.
Aid Stations
Aid stations will be set up with:
- Emergency food and beverages.
- Restrooms and medical staff on stand by.
Information on course
With the permission of the land-owners and managers, we have arranged the minimum necessary signboards and staff on course.
- Please obey all instructions given by the guides.
- We may stop runners at intersections. Please follow the marshals’ instructions.
Rescue and medical assistance system
- In order to ensure that the challenge is held safely, the organisers have prepared the course, and have rescue and medical assistance procedures in place.
- Participants should be fully aware of the dangers associated with adventure races, which are competitions held in nature. For injuries, illnesses, accidents, etc., you are participating in the challenge at your own risk.
- All aid stations are manned by a doctor or nurse and are connected to the challenge headquarters by radio or telephone.
- First aid is provided to rescue anyone from dangerous situations, regardless of whether they are registered or not.
– Depending on the environment and circumstances, it may take some time for assistance to arrive.
– Participants who have been treated by a doctor or rescuer should be sure to have a medical examination by a specialist after the race and report the examination results to the race organisers.
- Doctors and paramedics have the authority to stop participants who are unable to continue the challenge.
- A rescue team/ambulance may be called if the person being rescued finds it necessary. In this case, the cost incurred will be borne by the rescued person.
- If you are unable to reach a member of the event team, you may call emergency services directly by dialling 119.
Tracking System
- Each team will be issued with a GPS tracking device. It is important that you stay together so we can monitor your progress and respond should there be a safety issue.
- Using IBUKI GPS, the challenge team can track the real-time GPS information of all teams.
- Teams must carry IBUKI GPS during the competition.
- Please give the IBUKI GPS to the staff at the finish line.
- If you lose the IBUKI GPS, you will be charged the cost of replacement.
Retiring from the competition.
- If you decide to retire from the competition, the team member may only drop out at the Aid station.
- If the whole team drops out, please return the IBUKI GPS to the staff at that point.
- If you have to retire on the course for unavoidable reasons, please be sure to notify the staff nearby or the event team.
Retiring at the Aid Station
- Please inform the staff at the aid station that you will be retiring from the race.
- If the whole team retires, please return the IBUKI GPS to the staff.
- Even after retiring, please be sure to act as a team until you arrive at the hotel.
- Your team will be transported to the finish line by a pick-up car at the convenience of the operation team.
Retiring on course
- If you decide to retire between aid stations, be sure to notify the staff nearby or the event team.
- Participants who can move on their own will be asked to move to the next or previous aid station.
- If you cannot move on your own, please follow the staff’s instructions.
- Retirement on the course is expected to take some time to be accommodated.
- If you are not confident in your physical strength, please report to retire at the aid station one step ahead.
Equipment check list
All participants must carry the mandatory equipment specified by the organiser.
Mandatory equipment given by Organiser
- GPS tracker IBUKI GPS
- BIB
- Food/water 1L (minimum) – please ensure you bring your own water containers as water in single use plastic bottles will not be provided. You may refill your water bottles/camel packs at the refill stations.
Mandatory equipment to be arranged by the Participants
- Cell-phone (Minimum one per team, and must work under Japan cell service)
- Travel insurance (Foreigners / Insurance Card (Japanese Residence)to include cover for appropriate Running/Hiking activities
- Rain gear
- Layers to stay warm
- Survival blanket
- First Aid kit (*minimum 1 per team)
- Ruck Sack
- Trail running/ Running shoes
Recommended equipment
- Battery Charger
- Sun screen/cap/bug repellent etc.,
- Water bottle/similar container (for water stations)
Prohibited
If any participant violates the following rules and does not follow the staff’s warning, they will be stopped from racing:
- Going off course
- Not having the mandatory equipment
- Littering on the course or in any areas
- Seeking outside support
- Cheating (Using Vehicles, other acts that violate the law)
- Not carrying the IBUKI GPS
- Disobeying the instructions of race officials, doctors, nurses and/or rescuers
- Continuing the race after checkpoint times
- Not wearing the BIB during the race
- Using poles/stakes
- Running on trail sections barefoot or in shoes that expose your bare feet, such as sandals
Responsibilities
Organiser Responsibilities
- Unintentional damage to property on the course by participants (accidents to animals and plants, property damage, trail damage, etc.)
- Installation of markings and information signs on the course
- Safety management for staff
- Insurance – The organiser has taken out liability insurance, but all participants must have their own insurance to cover their participation in this event.
Participants Responsibilities
Participating in this challenge, (other than the above) will be the responsibility of the participant. All participants must have their own insurance to cover their participation in this event.
Disclaimer
The event organiser will not be held responsible for any COVID-19 infection of anyone involved in the event.
Regarding the decision to Cancel or Suspend the challenge
If the organiser determines that it is difficult to hold or continue the competition due to the following reasons, it will be cancelled or suspended:
- If there is a cancellation request from the local government due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
- When a weather warning is issued.
- When it is judged that the runner’s safety cannot be ensured due to landslides, falling rocks, etc. on the course.
- In the event of a Natural disaster (When warning declaration of earthquake around the area is issued).
- If a major earthquake occurs near the course, or if a “weather warning” or “landslide warning” for heavy rain or storms affecting the surrounding area is announced, the organiser will cancel or change the course after considering the impact. The organiser may change or shorten the course.
- Even if there are no safety issues in holding the event, if it is judged that the trail conditions cannot withstand use by the large number of participants, it is possible that we will decide to set a walking section, change the course, or cancel the event.
- The organiser will judge and decide on a case-by-case basis regarding the reduction, cancellation, notification method, etc. of the event due to earthquakes, wind and flood damage, snowfall, incidents, accidents, epidemics, infectious diseases, etc.
Regarding the decision to Cancel or Suspend the event
In principle, the registration fee will not be refunded even if the event is cancelled. The decision to change or cancel the event is at the sole discretion of the event team.
Portrait rights, copyrights, and publishing rights while participating in the tournament
The organiser owns the copyrights and publishing rights to newspapers, magazines, television, the Internet, etc. of photographs, videos, records, articles, etc., taken by the organisers during the competition.