FULL RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Course

- The course is the 43km WTF race loop, starting and finishing at Kylemore Lodge, Southview Terrace, Waterville, Kerry (Eircode V23 W300).

2. Starting Corral

- Corral stays the same size throughout the event.

- Participants must be in the starting corral at the bell.

- Once you leave the starting corral you cannot return before completing the loop, so if you forget something you can't return to collect it and then continue a loop.

3. Starts

- Each loop starts precisely 8 hours after the last loop start time.

- Warning alert will be given 5, 2, and 1 minutes prior to each loop start.

- All competitors must start at the bell (no late starts).

4. Loops

- Except for nature breaks (toilet diversions), competitors may not leave the course until each loop is completed.

- No non-competitors are permitted on the course (including eliminated runners).

- No personal aid permitted during a loop (support allowed at base camp only).

- No external support or additions permitted during a loop. You can't visit a shop or take anything from anyone, this includes items from other participants. The public drinking water tap at Mick O'Dwyer Park is allowed to be used (if it is working at the time).

- Each loop must be completed within 8 hours to be counted...including the final loop, partial loops count for nothing.

- Slow runners must allow passes.

- Loops will be either clockwise or anti-clockwise and the direction of travel for each loop will be decided and announced to all 1 minute before the start of each loop.

- If /when there are only 2 participants remaining there will be a coin toss 1 minute before the next loop, the winner of the coin toss will get to choose the direction they will run for the next loop and the other participant must run the opposite direction. These alternating loops will continue until the end of the event. For example if participant 1 wins the coin toss and chooses to run clockwise for the next loop then participant 2 must run anti-clockwise, the loop after that it will reverse and participant 1 must run anti-clockwise and participant 2 runs clockwise. No further coin tosses will take place.

5. Mandatory kit/requirements

- A tent for base camp.

- Minimum 1 support crew, maximum 2 support crew. Crew can be shared (e.g. one person can crew for more than one participant), but bear in mind that runners will all require maximum support at approximately the same time making sharing crew a high risk and potentially high stress approach.

- Tracker provided by BMF.

- Mobile phone must be carried, however it will be sealed in a black security pouch for emergency use only. Any use of your mobile phone is an automatic DNF. Sending messages, making phone calls and communications of any type are not permitted using any other devices (such as smart watches, Bluetooth devises etc.).

- GPS navigation aids are permitted (hand held GPS device, GPS tack on your watch) but you will not be able to use your phone as a GPS device as it will be sealed in a black security pouch.

5. Winner

- The winner is the last person to complete a loop.

- All others are technically DNF.

- If no runner can complete one (or more) loop(s) than anyone else, there is no winner.

6. Registration

- All registrations are on application only. This is a challenging unsupported event and we need to ensure all participants can look after themselves in bad conditions over a long period of time. On successful application you will receive an official apologies email to complete your entry. We are strictly limited to 33 places. No transfers, no refunds and no deferrals will be offered.

Base Camp

All entrants must camp at base camp. Only tents, are permitted, no vans, camper vans, caravans etc. Vehicles can be parked in the designated parking area but cannot be accessed by participants during the event, but can be accessed by crew.

No vehicle movement is permitted for 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the start of any loop. Free movement of vehicles is permitted at all other times.

A maximum of 2 crew are permitted for each participant.

Base camp will be open for arrivals from 12:00-20:00 on Friday 5^th January and then from 06:00-07:30 on Saturday 6^th January. Base camp will then be accessible by crew and participants ONLY until after the event finishes. All participants are welcome to stay for the full duration of the event and the base camp will remain open for a maximum of 12:00 hours after the event finishes. It will not be possible to arrive on Friday 5^th of January after 20:00 and access the base camp, you will need to return on Saturday morning if you miss the 20:00 Friday registration.

All participants must arrive no later than 07:30 on Saturday 6^th January to allow time to take their pitch and be in the corral for the start at 08:00.

Parking

All parking is at Waterville GAA car park. You can pull in to unload kit at base camp, but there is strictly no parking at base camp at anytime.

FAQ:

Can I listen to music on a devise when participating?

Yes, this is permitted. Please do so with caution using a single bud or bone conduction audio devices as for safety you will need to be able to hear noises in your vicinity (like other runners, cars, animals, thunder etc.).

Can I park near the base camp?

Yes, we will have parking for participants and crew very close to base camp. Crew cars required for movement should make themselves known so we can park them appropriately.

Can my support crew change and tag in/out?

Yes, you can have as many different support crew as you wish. The important thing is that only a maximum of 2 crew per participant are permitted at base camp at any time, we do not have room for any more so if you have 2 crew and 1 is swapping with a 3^rd person then the departing crew member must leave before the incoming crew member will be able to access the vacated parking spot.

Will a power supply/plug be available?

No, you must supply your own power.

Will there be water supplied?

No, you must provide your own water.

Will there be toilets?

Yes, there will be toilet facilities.

How big can my tent be?

There is no specific restriction on tent size, however for fairness we will mark out 5m x 5m pitches and on arrival for registration your pitch location will be randomly assigned by a lottery draw system.

Can I have a camp fire?

No. There will be 1 large camp fire at basecamp accessible to all, but individual camp fires are not permitted.

What do I do if I need to drop out?

1.    Tear open your mobile phone security bag

2.    Phone your crew and let them know and arrange to meet them to return to base

3.    Phone 0876595997 and confirm your DNF

4.    Return to base to return your tracker

Please do not leave the course/event without following the 4 steps above.

Can I stay on as a supporter/spectator/crew after a DNF?

Yes, you can of course stay on or you can go off and come back later if you wish.

Can my friends/family come to support me?

You can have a maximum of 2 crew onsite to support you, unfortunately nobody else will be permitted at the event. This is a small event in a small rural setting and we must restrict numbers to the minimum at all times.

Can my friends follow my tracker (dot watch)?

Yes, trackers from Primal Tracking will be supplied to all participants and links to view and share will be provided in advance of the start of the event.

Can I take support/nutrition/gear from other participants at base camp?

Yes, you can exchange/borrow/gift items in base camp. However this cannot be done on a loop, otherwise any participant giving or receiving will be a DNF.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND/OR MATERIALS CAN BE GIVEN TO ANOTHER PARTICIPANT WITHOUT PENALTY TO THE GIVER, BUT THE RECEIPENT WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC DNF.

Is there a time I need to arrive by on Saturday morning?

Yes, you will need to be there a minimum of 30 minutes before the start as you will need to get your pitch and be in the corral for 07:55 so you can start at 08:00.

Can I use a phone for podcast or music. Can I carry a diff phone with me that’s not sealed in bag?

No, but You can carry an mp3 player like an iPod etc, but no phones will be permitted

Will the route be marked out on the day?

The route is a national way marked route and an official part of the Kerry Way, so there are marker posts (black posts with yellow arrows and men) and also signs at junctions. We do not place any additional markers for the event. We are starting at 08:00 so that your first loop will be in daylight and give participants a good opportunity to familiarize themselves with the route in the most optimal conditions.

How solid is the surface for the parking?

The parking will be in a hardcore carpark.

Are vehicles allowed leave the base camp after 4pm on Friday 5th after they have checked in? Just wondering if we can leave to get dinner and come back again later?

Yes, once you have checked in before the Friday registration time finishes you can then move freely until the event starts. If you miss the Friday check in then you will need to wait until Saturday morning 06:00 when the check in reopens. It is not a requirement that you must arrive on Friday, you can arrive on Saturday morning also.

Can I use a tap that I know of which is along the route?

Yes, provided the tap is publicly accessible and is not on private land you can use it.

Is it possible to bring 2 tents to put in my 5m x 5m tent pitch area?

Yes, provide you can fit in your 5m x 5m area you can bring whatever tents/chairs/tables etc. you wish. But please do ensure that all items are secured in case of wind.

Are my crew allowed to go buy more food while I’m out doing a loop?

Yes, your crew can move freely and source anything they wish for you or for themselves. The only restriction is that you can’t leave the route or take any support/aid or items from your crew or anyone else unless it is from your crew and they give it to you at base camp.

Will the Kerry Way sign posts on the steep section of the trail be illuminated with lamps similar to the WTF 129km event last May?

No, there will be no additional signs, markings or lighting along the route.

Is it mandatory to arrive on the Friday or is it possible to arrive on the Saturday morning to get setup?

No, it is not mandatory to arrive on Friday you can arrive on Saturday from 06:00-07:30 to register and setup. There will be a hard cut off time of arrivals at 07:30 on Saturday morning and anyone after that will not be able to participate.

Can we set up a tent the evening before the race?

Yes, you can arrive, register and setup your tent(s) on Friday 5^th from 12:00 – 20:00. Saturday arrivals are possible from 06:00-07:30.

My only minor question is around mobile telephone usage at base camp - I understand my phone will be locked away in a security case for the duration, but is it also an automatic DNF if I use a crew member's telephone while at base camp between loops (e.g. to check weather forecasts, check emails, post to social media how much I am suffering etc)?

Mobile phone usage by participants is not permitted during the entire event and this includes at base camp, however your crew can use mobile phones as much as they wish so they can check anything and post anything you wish as long as it is dictated to them and that you are not using the phone yourself.

I’m struggling to get someone to crew and I can look after myself, so can I participate without crew?

No, it is mandatory that all participants have a minimum of 1 crew supporting. There is no flexibility on this. Also to note that if you have 1 crew and they have to leave then you must either replace them with a sub crew or you will be a DNF.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO US ON WTF@RUNWTF.COM AND ALL ANSWERS WILL BE POSTED ON OUR WEBPAGE GIVING ALL PARTICIPANTS ACCESS TO THE SAME INFORMATION IN THE INTEREST OF FAIRNESS.