Competition details and regulations :
1. Each participant must read through the full specific event regulations and guidelines below and is assumed to accept them when starting in the competition of choice.
2. The Xiwuqi Route 99 Marathon, half marathon and fun run are open to everyone in good physical condition (see also conditions of entry regarding insurance). All Participants must be mindful of the safety aspects of the race, and the challenge of long distance running in open spaces.3. The marathon, half marathon and fun run are all part of the KOG competition and offer KOG points according to the regulations of the competition (Link)
4. All participants are required to register online before the event.
5. All participants should behave in a sporting manner at all times and shall permit any faster runner to overtake without obstructing.
6. Participants should collect their participant goodie pack including their number bibs at the Race Office before the race in the Xiwuqi Hotel. Number bibs are to be worn in front according to instructions given, and should not be bent or modified in any way. Participants not wearing any number bib will not be allowed to enter the starting area.
7. The start arena at the Xiwuqi Culture Square for the running event will be divided into three starting blocks.
(1) Block A: Marathon runners
(2) Block B: Half Marathon runners
(3) Block C: Fun Run runners
8. The finish of the Marathon is at the Genghis Khan Lookout Mountain Scenic Spot （Around 9km road sign along the 'grassland route 99'）, the finish of the half marathon is at Mongolian Yurt Camp. Return transportation from there to Xiwuqi and the arena at Culture Square is arranged
9. The start and finish arena for the 11k Fun Run is at Culture Square
10. Intermediate time checkpoints will be installed along the race course. Runners who do not pass these checkpoints will be disqualified from the race result.
11. Runners who wish to change distance can do so until maximum 30 minutes before the race start (i.e. 6:30 am). These runners should come to the race jury & time-keeping tent at the starting line. Runners who decide to change distance during the race itself will be marked as ‘DNF’ in the result list.
12. Cut-off times - There is a minimum speed requirement for all runners. Cut-off times at designated aid stations will be strictly adhered to by the race marshals. Important: the cut-off times are applied to your exit out of the aid station, not your entry. Runners who are too late will be told to stop and no exceptions will be tolerated. This is an official requirement by the local security authority. Cars are available to bring people back to the finish arena at Culture Square.
(1) 08:30 - Cut-off time Fun Run at Finish Culture Square
(2) 10:00 - Cut-off time Marathon at km 21
(3) 10:00 - Cut-off time Half Marathon at Finish Yurt Camp
(4) 13:15 - Cut-off time Marathon at km 36
(5) 14:00 - Cut-off time Marathon at Finish
13. Results – This competition adopts the chip timing method, and the induction timing chip will start timing (net time) when the athlete passes the starting point. The top six male and female award winners in the full marathon and half marathon categories are ranked using gun time, the top three male and female award winners in the 11 kilometer fun run category are ranked using gun time, and other award winners are ranked using net timing. Once approved by the race director and race jury, it will be provided immediately online and on site at Culture Square.
14. A podium and prize giving ceremony will be held after the race. Participants eligible for a prize are required to check the event timetable and remain at the Event Arena to collect their prize on the podium stage.
15. Athletes who wish to appeal to the competition (including but not limited to objections to personal results, violations, etc.) must submit their appeal requests to the race jury at the finish line within one hour after their individual completion. When appealing, a written appeal request must be submitted, clearly stating the content of the appeal, signing the name and time, and a deposit of 200 yuan for the appeal must also be paid. If the appeal is ruled valid, the deposit will be fully refunded; otherwise, it will not be returned. The completion of the three processes of submitting an application in a timely manner, submitting materials immediately and paying the deposit right away is regarded as the beginning of the appeal. The appeal of the competition adheres to the general principle that the party making the appeal shall provide relevant supporting materials. Both the appellant and the party being complained against should prepare their own supporting materials. After the referee team reviews the supporting materials of the appellant or the party being complained against, verifies the CP point records provided by the timing group, and checks the supervision records of the mobile referees on the track, the final arbitration award will be made. Once the award is made, The complainant or the respondent must accept. When the appeal request of the chief complainant involves the podium results and rankings, and if the appeal result has not yet been released but it is also the awarding time period, in order to ensure the integrity of the event, the awarding process will continue to be carried out first based on the results provided by the timing group and signed by the race director. After the appeal result is out, the appeal will be successful and valid. If it involves changing the award results or the winners, the event organizing committee will notify the winners separately, exchange the prize money and prizes, and make a public announcement.
16. Each finishing participant will receive an official certificate and medal.
17. Course marking - The running course will be clearly marked by colored arrows and by flags.
(1) Marathon = blue color
(2) Half Marathon = pink color
(3) Fun Run = white color
18. The GPX file of the course will be made available in the last days before the race. Note that the GPX serves as a guideline for runners only. The course marking always overrules the GPX file, as last minute changes can always occur.
19. Shortcutting will result in disqualification from the competition. Participants going off the official track will be self-responsible for any risk or injury occurring during this time.
20. Aid stations: there will be aid stations with water, energy drink & snacks at every 5km and after 30km at 3km intervals until the finish. Have extra energy gels in your pocket nonetheless.
21. The running courses are all in wide open spaces. This implies participants could be exposed to sunshine nearly all the way, as well as to potentially strong winds. Take preventive measures.
22. Littering zones: Xiwuqi KOG supports Leave No Trace (LNT) and will be strictly implementing its policy. Littering will only be allowed at well-marked and designated zones around the refreshment stations. Participants who are spotted throwing away bottles, cups, wrapping paper or any other garbage outside these zones will be disqualified from the result list of the event.
23. Clothes deposit/drop bag: marathon and half marathon participants can drop off their bag at the secured designated area at the arena before the start. Please use the stickers with your number bib print to identify your clothes bag. Marathon bags will be transported to the finish, half marathon bags will be transported to the finish at Yurt City.
24. Please note that there is cattle (sheep, cows, horses,) in the grasslands and they occasionally run over or destroy our course signs. While we do what we can to avoid issues like these, we count on your sense of adventure and good spirit to accept this inconvenience, should you encounter this during the race. It is unlikely you will get lost as you should be seeing signs regularly and at least every kilometer.
25. A lead car with the race director for way-clearing, an ambulance, pick-up car and media cars are allowed on the course during the event. Besides these, no other cars are allowed on the course.
26. The race director and/or the race jury is authorised to stop and disqualify participants who have violated the event regulations, or have harmed the integrity of the event or of other participants.
27. The race director and/or the Organising Committee (OC) is authorised to shorten the race distances or even cancel the races if participants’ safety cannot be guaranteed due to force majeure (e.g. rainfall will not stop the race, but extreme conditions, such as thunderstorms, may lead to special measures).
28. Safety & Emergency: our emergency hotline number is printed on your number bib. Every participant is recommended to take along a mobile phone during the race. Medical staff is on stand-by.
29. If any additions to these regulations become necessary, these will be published by the OC on-site and online.
30.The final authority on the interpretation of the regulations for all relevant races is owned by the race director supported by the race jury.