RUNNER INFO

COMPULSORY GEAR

RACE DAY

With winter upon us, cold mornings and short days are the order of the day. We decided to follow the Euro-style race starts, usually mid-morning, allowing us the luxury of a later start and the chance for our volunteers to activate and get everything ready for you at a reasonable hour.

We will publish the race schedules before each event in the Series.

COMPULSORY GEAR

Please refer to the COMPULSORY GEAR LIST for information on what is required. If you are unsure about any compulsory items or are struggling to acquire any gear, please contact the Event Office at info@skyrunningseries.com, and we will assist where possible.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration will take place on the morning of the race. You will be required to show the following when you Register and collect your race number: SPACE BLANKET, WATERPROOF JACKET & MOBILE PHONE.

Including, but not limited to, any transgression of the following are grounds for imposed time penalties, disqualification and/or being banned from the race in future:

COMPULSORY GEAR LIST

ITEM	DESCRIPTION
Waterproof Jacket	Must be lightweight waterproof, breathable as specified by the manufacturer. Hood to be integrated and seams tape sealed. Wind proofs or ponchos WILL NOT be considered.
Buff/ Beanie	Close fitting and of synthetic or wool fabric. Lightweight, moisture wicking/ quick drying.
Running Pack/ Race Vest	Race pack: COMPULSORY. Combination of race pack and storage belts are allowed.
Long Sleeve Thermal	Fabrics to be synthetic or wool fabric - no cotton. Long sleeve thermal - preferably kept in a dry bag or zip lock bag to keep it dry.
Space Blanket	Size: 1m x 2m minimum.
Whistle	Easily accessible to sound an alert if required.
Charged Phone	Leave in 'Flight Mode' to conserve battery. Turn phone cell signal ON during emergencies.
Adhesive Bandage	Size: 5cm x 100cm minimum.
Food Reserve	A minimum of 250 calories of food in reserve at all times.
Hydration	Minimum 1.5L. Capacity of which 300ml to be in reserve at all times. Any combination allowed, e.g. bottles or bladder or both.
Personal Cup	All drinks will be served into your own cup. Bottles do not apply.
Race Number	Must be fully visible at all times facing the front, and be either pinned to the shirt or on the hip/pelvic area - race belts are accepted. It must always be positioned over any clothing and cannot for any reason be fixed onto the back. Do not pin to race pack.

NOTE: Summit Events will never change or downgrade this list based on weather forecasts.

NOTE: LANGEBERG 12 km RACE ENTRANTS ONLY*

For the 12km race at Langeberg SkyRace®, you shall not be required to have the full compulsory gear list.
We will enforce a windbreaker jacket, neck scarf (e.g. Buff), space blanket, cell phone, a minimum of 500ml water carrying capacity and two energy bars. A pack to carry these items is also part of the requirement.

SHOULD THE WEATHER CHANGE, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ENFORCE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GEAR LIST TO ENSURE RUNNERS ARE SAFE.

SUPPORT

The Skyrunning Series is fundamentally a race true to the spirit of semi-self sufficiency. We value highly the camaraderie which comes with seconding crews who support the runners through their extraordinary feats of endurance. However, it is our position that no runner shall benefit over another because they have a seconding crew in place to expedite the runners' passage over the race course. Therefore in the spirit of fairness and to ensure an equal playing field to all starting the race, we will penalise or disqualify runners for any transgression of the following:

Accepting any form of mobile support along the route, eg: pacing or muling
Not carrying on your person at all times the full set of mandatory gear. Including a 300ml reserve of water at all times.
Switching of running packs by seconding teams is NOT allowed. Start with one pack and carry it for the full duration of your race. Your timing chip is attached to your running pack, CAN'T be removed and must be visible to the race crew at all times.
You are not allowed to accept any support outside of the designated Aid Station areas from crew.
Race participants may take as much food and beverage as needed from each aid station provided by the organiser. Race participants will not be allowed to take any bottles, cans or cups from these areas and should plan on carrying and refilling their own hydration systems at the aid stations.
Race participants may run walk or crawl, but may not make use of any motorised or wheeled vehicles during the race.
You must make forward progress exclusively under their own power. Carrying, pulling or pushing by other racers or members of the public is prohibited.
If you choose to use poles they are to be carried on you at all times from start to finish. You are not allowed to discard, stash or give to crew for keeping. Please be conscious of those around you when using poles.

ENVIRONMENT

The mountain you will be running on has been preserved by many people before you - please take care of it and leave it pristine for those who come after you.

Any littering on the course is strictly prohibited. Race participants are responsible for making sure that anything they discard of goes into a bin. Strictly adhere to the “leave no trace and take no souvenirs” policy.
Never scare animals – give extra room and announce your presence appropriately as to prevent possible danger situations (horses, baboons etc). Follow direction from horse riders and don’t use loud startling noises. If any animal is purposely scared or disturbed it will be grounds for disqualification.
Yield trail by respecting other trail users (i.e. recreational users and residents) when passing – be aware of blind spots and slow down when you need to.
No taking short cuts, including avoiding switchbacks.
No overtaking by going off trail. Wait until there is adequate space to do so.
If you deliberately ignore customary rules of conduct the trail, road and checkpoints especially concerning safety, waste, erosion and hygiene – you will at best incur a time penalty, at worst it will be grounds for disqualification
No Pets

FOOD & DRINK

Participants may take as much food and beverage as needed from each aid station provided by the organiser. You will not be allowed to take any bottles, cans or cups from these areas and should plan on carrying and refilling your hydration systems at the aid stations.
We are now a cupless race and carrying your own cup is mandatory.
There will be hot cups available for soup. There will also be a few shared plastic “community cups” for cold drinks.

CUT OFF TIMES

The race has several intermediate and race finish cut-off times that will be strictly enforced. Cut offs are in place to ensure that the Medical/ Search and Rescue teams can deploy to various parts of the route and to ensure that the events permit conditions are met by the organisation.
To be allowed to continue with your race, you must depart the checkpoint before the time barrier, regardless of the time of arrival at the checkpoint.
You must obey directions of marshals if you miss any time cut-offs. You can find cut off in the Route Info section.

GENERAL

DNF (Did Not Finish): Should you need to drop out of the race, you will need to continue to the nearest Aid Station along the marked route and inform the station captain. NOTE: If you are not sure who that is, please ask around until you find them - this is your responsibility. If you are unable to continue the medical team will communicate this to Race HQ.
Receiving an IV drip from Medical Crew will automatically disqualify you and you will not be allowed to continue in the race.
Runners are to have their mandatory equipment with them at all times during the race. Random gear checks will be performed during the event. Penalties ranging from time penalties to disqualification will be applied based on the severity of the breach.
Runners must follow the marked course route the entire way and register at each aid station/timing checkpoint.
Your race number must be visible at all times on the outside of your clothing and on the front of your body. Do not cover your race number with any article of clothing.

EMERGENCIES

If you leave the race route and fail to notify race officials, you will be banned from participating in the future (unless assisted from the course by First Aid crews). We will provide a shuttle service back to the start/finish but cannot guarantee the frequency of the service. We recommend you put somebody on standby or call for a taxi.

If you become immobile and need to consult with a medic, you will need to take the following steps:

STEP 1: Initially, use your first aid kit, stay warm, dry and be visible, and remain on the marked course.

STEP 2: Trigger the emergency help button via the MYSOS app (pre-installed on your Phone), which will trigger your location to Search and Rescue.

OR

Phone the emergency number located on your race number; you will be asked your race number, name and location. Help will be sent on its way.

IF THERE IS NO CELL RECEPTION

STEP 1: Initially, use your first aid kit, stay warm, dry and be visible, and remain on the marked course.

STEP 2: Attempt to trigger the emergency help button via the MYSOS app regardless (pre-installed on your Phone). A delayed signal may be found which will trigger your location to Search and Rescue Teams.

STEP 3: Wait for an assisting participant who will find and alert the nearest marshal or staff member who will make contact with Race HQ.

STEP 4: A medical and rescue team will be dispatched to your location.

You will either be treated and allowed to continue or be evacuated off the route to the nearest medical asset by ambulance or, in life-threatening situations, by helicopter.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Timing & Recording:

You will be electronically recorded at points along the route. You may not skip these points and will have to present yourself at each Timing Point for recording.

Bag Service:

We will provide a supervised bag storage service to all participants for free. Please attach the bag tag you get at pre-registration and drop it in the main marquee. The organisers cannot be held liable for any losses.

Lost and Found:

Any personal items left after the race will be donated to a charity or to other local runners in need. We will not ship items to you.

Results:

Preliminary results will be available immediately on the website. Final results (with any corrections) will be posted on this website within a few days of the race.

Runners wishing to make a protest must notify the race command centre within 60 minutes of finishing the race.
Protests will be considered by a three-person committee consisting of the race director and two independent third parties.
Decisions of the committee are final.

Volunteers:

Volunteers are the backbone of any race. As participants please show your appreciation for their efforts to help you finish the race by thanking and giving a smile to our volunteers. We are always looking for volunteers. Do you have friends or family that may want to volunteer? Learn more by visiting the volunteer page.

Insurance:

The organiser Summit Events (Pty) Ltd has public liability insurance cover. This does not include personal accident insurance for competitors. We recommend that you arrange your own personal accident insurance, ambulance cover and income protection insurance before participating in the Event to cover any unforeseen personal costs you may incur due to ambulance trips, medical expenses or time off work due to injuries sustained whilst participating in the Event. International participants should take out travel insurance that provides cover for ultra-trail running events.

Safety Considerations:

As a participant, you are responsible for yourself and should know the rules and regulations of the race. You need to be able to clearly evaluate your mental and physical abilities. You need to be sufficiently trained and keep with you all the necessary equipment. Runners should be able to complete the race in a semi-autonomous manner in terms of: food and drink, clothing and safety. This requires an ability to adapt and face expected or unexpected problems (darkness, bad weather, physical ailments, injury, etc.).

The races take place on very rugged, single-track hiking trails. Running on such trails comes with inherent risks that runners accept upon entering the event. Runners will be in remote areas where help is not always nearby for extended periods and need to be prepared accordingly in cases of emergency.