Race Rules

1. Race Sign-In & Equipment

1.1.    All team members must sign-in prior to the start of the race and sign Liability Release and Assumption of Risk as well as have their gear checked and approved prior to the start of the race

1.2.    All teams must compete with a "team name", however Vanuatu Adventure Race reserves the right to have a team change its name should it not be appropriate and/or in conflict with any other Teams' names or any event sponsors.

1.3.    All participants must wear the race bib as provided by Vanuatu Adventure Race over their clothing, or on equipment as required, at all times during the race with the number visible.

1. Transition Area

2.1.    Access to the race course and transition areas are restricted to racers with race bibs.

1. Team Format

3.1.    Teams must consist of 2 members, of any sex.

3.2.    Teams must have at least one member capable of navigating by compass and map during the day and night.

3.3.    All team members must be suitably competent in all discipline included in the event as specified by the race organiser and be able to complete the event without any assistance from any person other than own team members. Disciplines not requiring self reliance will be stated in race info I.e. Ropes, mystery activities.

1. Race Rules

4.1.    The event must be started and completed by the entire team.

4.2.    All members of the team must be within visual and hearing distance of all other members of their team at all times. Spread over no more than 100m.

4.3.    No substitutions will be allowed.

4.4.    The team is to complete the entire event without any assistance

4.5.    Teams receiving any form of assistance, including medical assistance, whilst not in a transition area, will be penalised.

4.6.    All team members are required to pass through all transitions, orienteering points and checkpoints together.

4.7.    Where teams are required to comply with time restrictions during an event, this will be for safety or logistical considerations. Failure to meet a designated cut-off will require the team to follow instructions of the Race Official. The elapsed time in the case of a safety/logistical cut-off is included in race time, unless otherwise stipulated by the Organisers.

4.8.    While organisers do try to avoid bottlenecks, delays may cause teams to wait their turn to complete a discipline. If the delay time is to be ‘returned’ to the team the Race Official will record their time of arrival at the discipline and time of start of the discipline.

4.9.    Gear inspection may take place at any point in the race. Teams will have to report to an official for Gear inspection on request.

1. General Rules

5.1.    Any individual, male or female, will be barred from all events for life if found to have used physical violence during the course of the event.

5.2.    Abusive language will not be tolerated. Persons wishing to express outrage will do so in a controlled manner through their team captain only. Any person using abusive language undermines the integrity of the sponsors and Organisers and have own their integrity at stake.

5.3.    Any abuse of or disregard for instructions given by race officials by any team member will result in immediate disqualification.

1. Medical Assistance

6.1.    Medical crews will be available for non-emergency medical treatment and consultation within transition areas when available. Any team receiving any form of medical treatment outside a transition area or a medical support area as specified in the race instructions will be disqualified.

6.2.    Medical treatment within transition areas is limited to basic first aid and advice. Should a racer require advanced life support, active fluid replacement therapy (IV), the administration of any oral or intravenous drug, then that racer, subject to the race director’s final decision, will be prevented from continuing with the event.

6.3.    A medical crew has the authority to withdraw a team from an event based on medical grounds.Injuries and medical emergencies take precedence over all race rules.

6.4.    Racers are obliged to carry the team’s personal medications in the team first aid kit or on the person concerned. The medical crew will not be on hand to supply personal medication should the team concerned have failed to supply their own.

6.5.    The medical crew will provide immediate, emergency treatment and stabilisation. Should a racer require transport by road or air ambulance, the cost of any transport out of the race environment will be carried by the patient.

6.6.    Racers are strongly advised to take appropriate insurance against the costs of emergency evacuations and repatriation.

6.7.    A Race Director or Medical Officer may disqualify and bar from racing any individual that they feel is injured or appears to be a health risk.

6.8.    A race Volunteer may hold an individual for health reasons until a Safety Official or Race Director arrives to assess their ability to continue the race. In the event they continue the waiting time will be credited to the racer.

1. Complaints & Appeals

7.1.    These rules are only a framework. Further interpretation during the race day(s) are possible by Race Directors or a committee of not less than 4 race peers and one Race Director.

7.2.    All complaints and/or queries are to be directed through the team captain. Only the captain is allowed to direct questions, objections and complaints to the Organisers and/or their Management team and this is to be done in writing.

7.3.    In the event of there being discrepancies in finishing positions resulting from such reports and/or complaints, only line finishing positions will be announced at prize giving and the relevant prizes will be given after a verdict has been reached. The length of this window period will be determined at the event by the Organisers.

7.4.    No correspondence will be entered into after the window period and/or once official finishing positions have been announced.

7.5.    Any team wishing to appeal or complain any aspect of the event is to do so in writing. Complaints are to be received by the Race Director or his/her co-director within half an hour of the team crossing the finish line. Complaints may only be made with firsthand knowledge. No second hand reports will be accepted or considered. Should an appeal result the complainant must be prepared to give evidence at the Appeal Hearing at a date, time and venue specified by the Organisers. Appeals regarding decisions are to be received in writing by the Race Director or his/her co-director within 24 hours of the team completing the event.

7.6.    The event Organiser, as advised by senior officials will consider appeals.

7.7.    Any individual or team not adhering to any of the above rules and is found guilty and forbidden from the event, will forfeit their team entry fee.

1. Disqualification/Time Penalties

8.1.    Any team transgressing the 100meter, visual and hearing distance rule will be penalised or disqualified.

8.2.    Any team found not to be equipped with the minimum safety equipment, as specified; during a Gear inspection will not be allowed to start the event.

8.3.    Any team found not to be equipped with the minimum safety equipment during the race will be disqualified and pulled from the course.

8.4.    Any team found to have transgressed the rules and regulations of the event and/or acting contrary to the spirit of the event will be liable for disqualification.

8.5.    The race director may impose a disqualification or penalty taking into consideration the spirit of the event. She/he will request a statement from the applicable team captain should they wish to explain or justify the team’s actions.

1. Spirit of the Event

9.1.    Not cheating with regard to the rules and regulations of this event and the sport.

9.2.    Where one team finds another in need of medical attention – they must stop to assist.

9.3.    Abiding by the rules and regulations of this event and sport.

9.4.    Being eco-friendly, polite and prepared to assist a fellow man in need.

9.5.    Not misleading Organisers and/or officials with inaccurate/incomplete information.

9.6.    Not removing checkpoint punches, their illuminating devices or signage of any sort.

1. Eco Awareness

10.1.All waste is to be carried to the closest transition or checkpoint for disposal.

10.2.Human waste is to be buried between 20 and 25cm below the soil surface.

10.3.No tree, rock etc may be defaced in any manner.

10.4.Be polite and courteous to local inhabitants. Pass quietly through villages, especially at night.