Rules

PRESENTATION OF THE EVENTS

ORGANISER
The company Exploring organises GAOLIGONG by UTMB®  with the assistance of UTMB®  International.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE REGULATIONS AND ETHICS OF THE RACE
Participation in the GAOLIGONG by UTMB® events implies the express acceptance, without reserve, of the present regulations and any instructions sent by the organiser to the participants.  

DEFINITION OF THE EVENTS
The GAOLIGONG by UTMB® is an event within which are a certain number of events in open country, using the great hiking routes of Tengchong and Mt Gaoligong area. Each race takes place in one single stage, at an undefined pace within a time limit.
 
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION AND REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION CONDITIONS
The organiser of the GAOLIGONG by UTMB®  has established a list of qualifying races for the 2020 GAOLIGONG by UTMB® . Each race listed has a value of between 1 and 6 points, you need to have acquired the minimum number of points by having finished, exclusively between 01/01/2018 and the 20/01/2020 (*) (each runner must get his qualifying points before registering), some of the races on the list :
(*) 2017  finishers of UTMB®  races may equally use these races as qualifying races.
You can consult the complete regulations for the qualifying races at www.utmbmontblanc.com, page "Qualifying races". In the case of an inexact declaration, non-conformity of regulations or a outright lie, the organisation reserves the right to cancel the registration without reimbursing the fee paid. Note : in the case of a qualifying race having been shortened, the premature termination of a race or its cancellation, the qualifying points will be recalculated in relation to the actual race characteristics.
The races are open to any person, male or female, born in or before 2000, licensed, or not under the following categories :
Participant Categories (Male and Female categories for all races)

To validate one's registration, each runner must supply a specific medical certificate (*). It must be downloaded onto their runner's page before February 29th 2020 (the organisation does not accept medical certificates sent by email or the post).
If no medical certificate is received by this date, the registration will be cancelled without reimbursement. Warning: We strongly advise you to use our official medical certificate template.
(*) at the end of the registration procedure, each runner will receive a confirmation email with, as an attachment, the official medical certificate form.
In the absence of a medical certificate, no race-bib will be attributed.
 
REGISTRATION FEE
Registration is uniquely via the internet and secure payment by credit card.
Fees :

The fee covers all the services described in the current regulations.
Registration is nominative. There is no authorisation for transferring one's registration from one race to another, or from one person to another whatever the motive.
RUNNER'S COMMITMENT
To participate in the GAOLIGONG by UTMB®  event, in particular the MGU and RCE, it is essential :
(1) participation in other races in order to have the required number of points (see paragraph REGISTRATION CONDITIONS) in order to register, is useful for acquiring this experience, but not necessarily sufficient.
 
SEMI AUTONOMY
The principal of an individual race in semi-autonomy is the rule. The GAOLIGONG by UTMB® events take place in one single stage, at an undefined pace, within the limits of the time barriers which are specified for each event. Semi-autonomy is defined as having the capacity to be autonomous between two refreshments posts, as much on the food front as that of clothing and security, allowing for adapting to problems encountered or foreseen (bad weather, physical problems, injury...)
This principal implies, in particular, the following rules :
For slower runners, the longest sections without refreshments can be more than 4hrs during the MGU, more than 3hrs during the RCE.
The rest of the refreshment post is strictly reserved for the runners.
No assistance is allowed, at any point along the race route, during the THT and the TCZ.
Note : A participant who accepts being filmed, and therefore accompanied, outside of the expressly designated zones contravenes the principle of semi-autonomy. The race stewards  witnessing irregularities are authorised to penalise the participants in order to guarantee the spirit of trail-running events.
(*) Personal assistance is tolerated at the following posts  :
MGU : CP7, CP12 and CP 15
RCE : CP7 and CP 12

It is forbidden at all other refreshment posts, as well as at any other point of the race route.
THT and TCZ : no assistance is allowed at any point throughout the race
 
EQUIPMENT
In order to ensure their security and the good progress of the each event, each participant must have at their disposal the all the obligatory equipment on the list, detailed below. Each participant must therefore present their obligatory equipment, including the kit activated by the organisers, in order to retrieve their race-bib, and agree to keep it with them throughout the event.
It is important to note that the material imposed by the organisers is a vital minimum which each trail-runner must adapt in function to their own capacities. In particular, they must not chose the lightest weight clothing possible in order to gain a few grammes, but opt for clothing which really offers good protection in the mountains against the cold, wind and snow, which therefore give better security and a better performance.
Mandatory equipment MGU and RCE
- mobile phone with international roaming allowing for its use in China (load into its memory the organization's security numbers, don't mask your number and don't forget to leave with the battery fully charged)
- Keep the phone on, airplane mode is prohibited and could give rise to penalties.
- For smartphones: LiveRun application installed and activated.
- An external battery is highly recommended
Recommendation : 200 lumens or more for the main torch
Recommendation : 800kcal (2 gels + 2 energising bars each of 65g )
*minimum recommended 10 000 Schmerber
**RET recommended inferior to 13
- the jacket must, imperatively, be fitted with an integrated hood or one which is attached to the jacket by the original system designed for that purpose by the manufacturer.
- the seams must be sealed.
- the jacket must not have sections of fabric which are not waterproof, but air vents fitted by the manufacturer (under-arm, in the back), since they do not damage in any obvious way the impermeability, are accepted.
It is the runner's responsibility to judge, with these criteria , if their jacket fits the regulations stated and so  bad weather in the mountains, but, during a check, the judgment is made by the person in charge of the check or the steward.
OR the combination of a warm long sleeved underwear  (first or second layer,cotton exclude) of a minimum weight of 110g  (men's size medium (M) ) and a durable water repellant (DWR protection) windproof jacket*
*the wind-proof jacket does not replace the obligatory waterproof jacket, and vice versa
All clothing must be the correct size for the competitor and without having been modified in any way after leaving the factory.
You carry this equipment in a pack which must be tagged during race-bib distribution and is not interchangeable during the race.
Other recommended equipment (list non exhaustive)
If you choose to take poles, it is for the duration of the race. It is forbidden to start without poles and recuperate them during the course of the race.
No poles are authorised in the drop bags.
The use of poles will be forbidden in certain zones along the route marked by specific signs, for the security or environmental reasons.
Obligatory equipment THT and TCZ
- mobile phone with international roaming allowing for its use in China (load into its memory the organization's security numbers, don't mask your number and don't forget to leave with the battery fully charged)
- Keep the phone on, airplane mode is prohibited and could give rise to penalties.
- For smartphones: LiveRun application installed and activated.
- An external battery is highly recommended
Recommendation : 200 lumens or more
Recommendation : 800kcal (2 gels + 2 energising bars each of 65g )
*minimum recommended 10 000 Schmerber
**RET recommended inferior to 13
- the jacket must, imperatively, be fitted with an integrated hood or one which is attached to the jacket by the original system designed for that purpose by the manufacturer.
- the seams must be sealed.
- the jacket must not have sections of fabric which are not waterproof, but air vents fitted by the manufacturer (under-arm, in the back), since they do not damage in any obvious way the impermeability, are accepted.
It is the runner's responsibility to judge, with these criteria , if their jacket fits the regulations stated and so  bad weather in the mountains, but, during a check, the judgment is made by the person in charge of the check or the steward.
All clothing must be the correct size for the competitor and without having been modified in any way after leaving the factory.
You carry this equipment in a pack which must be tagged during race-bib distribution and is not interchangeable during the race.
Other recommended equipment (list non exhaustive)
OR the combination of a warm long sleeved underwear  (first or second layer,cotton exclude) of a minimum weight of 110g  (men's size medium (M) ) and a durable water repellant (DWR protection) windproof jacket*
*the wind-proof jacket does not replace the obligatory waterproof jacket, and vice versa
If you choose to take poles, it is for the duration of the race. It is forbidden to start without poles and recuperate them during the course of the race.
No poles are authorised in the drop bags.
The use of poles will be forbidden in certain zones along the route marked by specific signs, for the security or environmental reasons.

QUARTZ EVENT PROGRAM
The Organization of the GAOLIGONG by UTMB® has decided to set up the QUARTZ Event program to protect your health and contribute to doping-free sport. This program is open to all participants. This program has neither the vocation nor the competence to replace anti-doping rules but aims to strengthen the medical supervision before and during the competition. QUARTZ Event program is carried out in collaboration with the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), Athletes For Transparency association (AFT) and Ultra Sports Science Foundation (USS); it is managed by a Health Commission solely composed of doctors. This Health Commission can take advice from experts of its choice and specifically give a consultative advice to the race direction on the medical condition of participants. This Health Commission can go as far as to suggest to the race direction that a participant should be excluded from competition for health reasons.
Each participant agrees to:
- Any medical history and/or pathology, in particular those which may increase risks during the practice of a sport
- The use of regular treatments or medication during the 30 days prior to the start of the competition
- Request  or use of a substance or method subject to a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)
The declaration of medical information to the Health Commission is done through the ITRA health space that each participant can activate after having created a free runner account on the ITRA website: itra.run. The declared medical information is only accessible by the doctors of the Health Commission or in the event of medical care being carried out during the competition the declared medical information will also be made available to the medical team.
Any unreasonable breach, refusal, or transmission of erroneous information in connection with QUARTZ Event program can result in the exclusion of the participant from the competition.

ANTI-DOPING CONTROL
Any competitor could be subjected to an anti-doping control before, during or at the finish of an event. In the case of a refusal or abstention, the sports-person will be sanctioned in the same manner as that were they to have been convicted of doping.

INSURANCE
Each competitor must, obligatorily, be in possession of a personal accident insurance which covers the cost of search and rescue and evacuation in China. Such insurance can be taken out with any organisation of the runner's choice.
For members of the ITRA (International Trail Running Association) it is possible to subscribe to an Assistance – Repatriation insurance which covers the cost of search and rescue world-wide. For more information go to www.itra.run
NB : you pay for helicopter evacuation. The choice of evacuation method depends exclusively on the organisation, who will systematically put the runner's security first.
The choice of the method of evacuation and the actual choice of hospital is at the discretion of the search and rescue and medical officials.
Expenses arising from the use of exceptional methods of rescue or evacuation have to be paid by the person rescued who will also have to pay their return from the place to where they were evacuated. It falls to the runner to create their file and present it to their insurance company within the stated time limit.

RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
By registering for one of the GAOLIGONG byUTMB®  events, participants agree to respect the environment and the natural areas they pass though. In particular :

ELITE RUNNERS
Having the status of an international elite creates rights and duties for the athletes concerned. They are as below :
Rights :
Free registration : Men > 825 / Women > 700
 
Runners corresponding to the criteria may benefit from the free registration on condition that they have the required number of points for 2020.
To register for free, elite runners meeting the above criteria should contact the organisation at gaoligong@expewise.com in order to obtain a discount code which can then be entered when registering in the normal way.
MGU : bibs 1 to 199
RCE : bibs 3001 to 3199
THT : bibs 6001 to 6199
TCZ : bibs 8001 to 8199
Duties :
In return, the elite runners agree to :
Prize money:
The remuneration will be published in August

RIGHTS FOR IMAGES
Every competitor expressly foregoes the right for any images during the event, just as they renounce any right of appeal to the organisers and their partners for the use of their image. Only the organisation can transfer this right for images to any media, via an accreditation or relevant license.
Ultra-Trail® and UTMB® are the legally registered names. All communication about the event or the use of images from the event must respect the name of the event, the registered trade marks and have official approval from the organisation.

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS
Runners who are sponsored can only display their sponsor's logos on their clothing and equipment used during the race. All other publicity accessories (flags, banners... ) are forbidden at all points of the race route including the finish , at the risk of a penalty given by the discretion of the race directors.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY
The Organiser follows best practice in data protection. 
All personal infomartion supplied by participants during the registration process is strictly used for internal purposes with regards to the management of participants involvement in the Event where such information includes, but is not limited to, name, phone number and email address’s.
Personal information will not be used for any other purpose unless the express permission of the participants is provided in writing to the Organiser.
Each participant has a right of access to their information as supplied to the Organiser in order to make changes or corrections. Should a participant want to have access to their personal information they are to email the Organiser at gaoligong@expewise.com including the their surname, first name and race-bib number.
 
RACE ORGANISATION IN GENERAL
RACE-BIBS
Each race-bib is distributed individually to each runner upon presentation of :
The race-bib must be worn on the chest or stomach and be permanently and completely visible throughout the totality of the race. It must always be placed on top of all clothing and can in no case be positioned on a leg or pack. The name and partner's logos must not be either modified or hidden. The race-bib is the pass necessary for accessing the shuttle buses, buses, refreshment posts, infirmary, rest areas, showers, drop-off or pick-up areas for drop sacks... Except in the case of a refusal to comply with a decision taken by a race official, the bib is never taken away but in the case of an abandonment the bib is deactivated.

DROP BAGS / SPARE'S SACKS
Each competitor receives 30 litre bags with their race-bib. After having filled it with the necessities of their choice and having closed it they can drop it off at the start.
MGU : each competitor receives 4 bags to be collected at CP7, CP12, CP15, Finish.
RCE : each competitor receives 3 bags to be collected at CP7, CP12, Finish.
THT and TCZ : each competitor receives 1 bag to be collected at Finish.
Recuperation of bags in the finish line: The bags are returned to either the competitor or a family member or friend, uniquely upon presentation of the race-bib. The bags must be recuperated no later than 2 hours after the end of the race. After that time, the runner must come, in person, to recuperate their bag, at their own cost, from the organisation.
The organisation ensures the repatriation, to the finish line, of any bags of runners who abandon, on the condition that the abandonment has been registered. The delay of the repatriation is in relation to logistical constraints and the organisation can not guarantee a complete repatriation of bags before the end of the race.
Only bags supplied by the organisation will be transported. Poles are not allowed in these bags. The contents of the bags will not be verified, no contestation over the contents of the bag at the finish will be accepted. The placing of valuable objects in these bags is not recommended.
Your are recommended to pack toiletries and a change of clothing for your return to the finish line.

REFRESHMENTS
The organisation ensures the presence of solid and liquid refreshments along the race-route.   The aid stations supply drinks and food for consuming in situ. The organisation supplies still water and energising drink for filling water bottles/hydration packs and personal beakers are obligatory. The runner must take care, when leaving each refreshment post, that they have the necessary quantity of food and drink to last them to the next refreshment post.
For more information concerning the composition of the refreshments, consult the page "Aid stations".
Only runners wearing a visible race-bib who have been duly checked have access to the aid stations.
The race guide and the relevant pages on the web-site have a complete list of refreshment posts and what they serve.

CHECK POSTS
A check is carried out at the arrival at an aid station and at certain security posts.
Unexpected check posts are set-up at posts other than those of refreshment or security posts. Their location is not divulged by the organisation.

WAY-MARKING
For better sighting at night , the way-markers are fitted, in part, with reflective material which attracts the light of your torch.
ATTENTION : if you don't see any, turn back !
In respect for the environment no paint is used on the paths.

MAXIMUM AUTHORISED TIME AND TIME BARRIERS
The maximum time for the event, for the totality of the route is fixed at:
The time limit of the start (time barriers) from the main check points will be defined and printed in the Runner's Guide and on the web-site. In the case of a change (cf § Exceptional Conditions), the new time barriers will be announced via text message, email and on the website.
These time barriers are calculated to allow participants to arrive at the finish within the maximum time allowed, while having made eventual stops (rest, food...). In order to be authorised to continue with an event, competitors must leave the check point before the fixed time (whatever their time of arrival at the check point).
All competitors excluded from the race who wish to continue the route can only do so after having returned their race-bib and under their own responsibility and in complete autonomy.

SECURITY AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Security posts are positioned at various points along the route. These posts have a radio or telephone link to the race Command Center for security (the phone number will be printed on the runner guide and on the runner’s bibs. A regulation medical team is present throughout the events at the race security Command Center.
These security posts are designed to give assistance to any person in danger by their own or public means.
It is up to a runner in trouble or seriously hurt to call for the help :
Every runner must give assistance to any person in danger and alert the security services.
In the case where it is impossible to contact race Command Center, you can make a direct call to the rescue service  (most particularly if you find yourself in a zone where only emergency calls are possible) : Emergency number in China：110 or 120.
Do not forget that hazards of all sorts, linked to the environment and the race, may require you to wait assistance for a longer time than expected. Your security therefore depends upon the quality of that which you have put in your pack.
All the personnel, medics, paramedics, search and rescue and official guides, as well as any person so designated by the organisation are able to :
A runner who contacts a doctor or search and rescue personnel submits themselves to their authority and agrees to accept their decisions
As from the moment where the state of a runner's health  justifies treatment via an intravenous drip, they are obligatorily excluded from the race.
An infirmary will be accessible in the finish line throughout the duration of the events. Runners who have a severe medical problem may present themselves. Minor treatments will be carried out at the discretion of the personnel and subject to their availability.
Each runner must stay on the way-marked route, even to sleep.
 All runners who voluntarily venture from  the way-marked course are no longer under the responsibility of the organisation.

FINISH
When you finish, you will receive a finisher's gift.
A post-race meal is served at the finish line.

SHOWERS
There is the possibility of a hot shower but only at the end of the race. Access to the end of race showers is, strictly, only accessible to runners. The race-bib is the pass for accessing the showers.
Throughout the course, showers - when there are any – are only available on medical advice.
Access to the rest area and showers is strictly limited to runners with bare feet.

REST
A rest area in the finish line is available exclusively for runners of the MGU and RCE.
This room is strictly reserved for runners who have just finished their race.
In no way does this constitute a solution for  accommodation for the entire night. Runners having finished their race who wish to prolong their stay must have their own accommodation.
MGU : each competitor can benefit from a rest area (area with camp beds and blankets) in CP7, CP12, CP15.
RCE : each competitor can benefit from a rest area (area with camp beds and blankets) in CP7, CP12
 
RANKING AND RECOMPENSE
With the mission of respecting nature, inheriting history and exploring oneself, Gaoligong Mountain Super Trail is committed to publicizing and protecting the world's ecological diversity and cultural diversity. Anyone who participates in the competition and finishes within a specified time will receive a distinctive medal and clothing.
1. In the four groups of events (MGU, RCE, THT, TCZ), only those who reach the final point within the specified time will be identified.
2. Each group will be ranked in male and female groups respectively. At the same time, according to their age groups (a, 20-39 years old, b, 40-49 years old, c, 50-59 years old, d, over 60 years old), male and female will be ranked. Runners who won the first place in their age group will receive additional rewards.
3. MGU group will rank all the finalists. The top eight men and the top eight women will be awarded the trophy of "Cloud Leopard Marshall", a rare species unique to Gaoligong Mountain, as an element, and the title of "General". The title is as follows:
First: Juedi Marshall – warrior so swift his feet do not touch the ground 
Second: Fanyu Marshall – warrior who can outrun a bight in flight 
Third: Benxiao Marshall – warrior who runs great distances across wilderness 
Forth: Yueying Marshall – warrior who chases the sun 
Fifth: Yuhui Marshall – warrior whose armour is magnificent like a bird’s plumage 
Sixth: Chaoguang Marshall – a warrior who can cast ten shadows 
Seventh: Tengwu Marshall – a warrior who rides clouds 
Eighth: Xieyi Marshall, meaning a winged warrior who soars through heavens
4. The RCE, THT and TCZ groups will rank all the finalists, and award the top three men and the top three women the distinctive trophies and prizes of the corresponding groups.
5. In the MGU and RCE groups, the first male and female participates who spend the shortest time from CP4 to CP5 will receive the special prize for the fastest climbing.
6. The finalists of MGU, RCE, THT and TCZ will receive corresponding ITRA points respectively.
7. Trophies and prizes are only awarded at awarding ceremonies.
8. The results of all participants will be published at www.mtgaoligong.com.

ABANDONMENT AND REPATRIATION
Except in the case of injury, a runner must not abandon outside of a check point. They must inform the person responsible for the post, or signal their abandonment via the LiveRun app and inform the race Command Center.
In the case of the decision to abandon between two check points, the runner must go to the nearest check point where they announce their abandonment.
The runner keeps hold of their race-bib because it is the pass for accessing shuttle buses, buses, meals, treatment rooms...
Repatriation works in the following manner :

PENALTIES - DISQUALIFICATION
Race stewards present along the race-route, and those responsible for the different refreshment and security posts are able to enforce the regulations and immediately apply a penalty in the case of non-respect for these regulations, according to the following chart :
MGU and RCE

 (*) The Race Committee shall consist of the Event Director, the Race Director, one UTMB® representative, the Medical Safety Director (when it comes to medical matters).
(**) The time penalties are immediately applicable in situ, that's to say that the runner has to interrupt his/her race for the duration of the given penalty time. If the breach of regulation is found after the race, the race Committee can decide to add the penalty time to the final race time of the runner in question.
All other lack of respect for the regulations will be subject a sanction at the race Committee* discretion.
THT and TCZ

(*) The Race Committee shall consist of the Event Director, the Race Director, one UTMB® representative, the Medical Safety Director (when it comes to medical matters).
(**) The time penalties are immediately applicable in situ, that's to say that the runner has to interrupt his/her race for the duration of the given penalty time. If the breach of regulation is found after the race, the race Committee can decide to add the penalty time to the final race time of the runner in question.
All other lack of respect for the regulations will be subject a sanction at the race Committee* discretion.

CLAIMS
Any claim that implicates a classification change must be made to us by email, within a delay of 24 hours after the end of the event.
Any other claim must be made to us by email, within a delay 10 days after the end of the event.

EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS
If the circumstances require it, the organisation reserves the right to, at any moment, modify the route, start times, time barriers, position of refreshment or security posts, and any other aspect related to the good  functioning of the events.
In the case of a  force majeure, weather conditions which are too unfavourable or any other circumstance which puts the security of the competitors at risk, the organisation reserves the right to :
In the case of the cancellation of an event, for whatever reason, decided more than 15 days before the date of the start, partial reimbursement of the registration fee will be made. The amount of this reimbursement will be fixed so as to allow the organisation to deal with all the irremediable expenses committed to the date of the cancellation. In case of cancellation decided less than 15 days before the departure or in case of interruption of the race, for whatever reason, no refund of registration fees will be made.

OPTIONAL SERVICES
RUNNERS' GUIDE
A guide is downloadable from the web-site www.gaoligongbyutmb.com as from the month of December. It includes maps of the routes and practical information such as time barriers, refreshment post locations, security posts, as well as the areas with access for accompanying persons.
INSURANCE
Civil responsibility
The organisation takes out a third party insurance for the duration of the event. This third-party insurance guarantees the pecuniary consequences of its responsibility, for that of those working for them and participants.
CANCELLATION OF A REGISTRATION
Any cancellation of a registration must be made in writing either by email or post. No withdrawal is registered by telephone.
The reimbursement of fees paid at registration will be made by partial re-credit to the bank account associated to the credit-card used at the time of registering, or to Wechat, Alipay, under the following conditions :

Registration is nominative. There is no authorisation for transferring a registration to another person whatever the motive.
CANCELLATION REGISTRATION GUARANTEE
MGU and RCE
Any person at the moment of their registration can subscribe to cancellation guarantee, for an additional cost of 15€ per person, added to the sum of the registration fee at the moment of payment.
THT and TCZ
Any person at the moment of their registration can subscribe to cancellation guarantee, for an additional cost of 9€ per person, added to the sum of the registration fee at the moment of payment.
The objective of the guarantee is to completely refund the expenses of registration, in the case where a runner asks to cancel his registration because of one of the following reasons :
In the case of an accident or serious illness of the runner, it is necessary to supply a medical certificate signed and stamped by the doctor giving evidence of the runner's incapacity to participate in the race. Any other cause of cancellation must be justified by a signed and stamped certificate supplied by the relevant and legal authority.
Indemnity conditions : all requests for reimbursement must be sent to us, accompanied by a medical certificate, no later than 10 days after the end of the event. The request will be processed in the two months following the event.
The cancellation of a registration or the non-participation in the race to which one is registered does not entitle the runner to benefit from a priority registration a subsequent year.
Attachments
  1. General rules Gaoligong English.pdf
  2. General rules Gaoligong French.pdf
  3. General rules Gaoligong Spanish.pdf