This document outlines all specific rules governing the Bello Gallico Race. These rules must be adhered to at all times during the event, both on the course and at each checkpoint. The Bello Gallico Race is a non-stop, self-supported race in winter conditions must be considered a serious undertaking.
I. General Principles & Safety
Responsibility: Due to the potential for adverse or extreme weather conditions, including, but not limited to, sub-zero temperatures, deep snow, and limited daylight hours, you are responsible for your own safety on the trail and at all checkpoints.
Physical & Mental Preparedness: You must be in excellent physical condition to complete the race within the allotted time. You must also possess the necessary skills to navigate effectively, manage emergency situations in mountainous terrain during winter, and cope with the psychological challenges of prolonged isolation and fatigue.
Waiver: In addition to accepting the race rules and terms & conditions, you are required to sign/agree to the participant waiver before the start of the race. By joining the race, you accept the Race Rules and Terms & Conditions of entry.
Age Requirement: You must be aged 18 or above at the start of the race.
Diversity and Inclusion: The Legends Trail is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We encourage participation from all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, or nationality
II. Checkpoints & Cut-Off Times
Check-In/Out: You must check in and check out of every checkpoint with a race official.
Cut-Off Times: All checkpoints have a departure cut-off time. Intermediate cut-off times can be applied and will be communicated in the checkpoints.
Pacing Advice: In some instances, athletes will be advised on their pacing to safely meet any cut-offs. Failure to meet any set targets may result in early withdrawal from the race.
III. Support & Assistance
No Support Crew: You are not allowed to have a support team. Supporters can be on the course to cheer you on, but cannot offer any aid, for example – but not limited to – providing clothes, shoes, gloves, trekking poles,… ; offering food or beverages ; carrying your stuff; … The same applies at checkpoints, where supporters are not allowed inside, but also outside cannot provide you any aid or shelter. No support at all is allowed, unless it is provided by Legends Trails Volunteers or fellow participants.
No Pacers: The use of pacers is not allowed.
Poles Allowed: The use of trekking poles is allowed and encouraged due to the challenging terrain and conditions.
No Vehicles: You must complete the course on foot, with no assistance from vehicles of any kind for transportation.
Resupply Bag(s): You can provide us with (a) resupply bag(s), which cannot be heavier than 10kg. Make sure all your equipment fits in your bag, i.e., no extra bags attached to the sides. Drop bags will be weighed. Participants in the 200km RUN and the 160km WALK can use 3 distinct drop bags which need to be clearly labeled for which checkpoint they are intended. Participants in the 100km RUN and the 80km WALK can use 1 drop bag. After your passage at a checkpoint, your dropbag will be returned to HQ, so dropbags are not transported between checkpoints. You cannot use a support crew that carries your drop bag from checkpoint to checkpoint or that supplies you with a drop bag between checkpoints.
IV. Navigation & Equipment
GPS Tracker: You will be fitted with a GPS tracking device, which you are responsible for. You will be instructed on where to position this device and how to look after it. You are responsible for handing in this device when you finish. If you fail to do this, you are responsible for any penalty charges associated with returning the tracker.
Navigation Skills: You must have demonstrable navigation skills, including the ability to use a map and compass in whiteout conditions. GPS devices are permitted but should not be solely relied upon.
Mandatory Equipment: You must carry the mandatory equipment at all times while on the course. We may spot-check at any time during the race for safety. If you don’t, you will be deemed unfit to continue and withdrawn from the race. A list of mandatory gear will be provided separately and is non-negotiable.
Mobile Phone: A mobile phone, adequately charged, must be carried at all times. We may place signs on the course that require you to contact Race HQ (number will be on your bib) or switch on your phone for safety. However, due to the remote nature of the course, coverage may be limited in some areas.
V. Conduct & Fair Play
No Illegal Drugs: No illegal drugs are allowed during your race. The use of performance-enhancing drugs is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification.
Resupply on Route: You can use cafes, shops, and restaurants along the route to resupply but no hotels or B&B’s for sleeping.
Sleeping: You can sleep inside checkpoints if place permits this.
Littering: Littering (which includes dropping/disposing of equipment) on the trail is not permitted at any time during the race. Any individual found intentionally littering will be immediately disqualified from the race, with no exceptions. Respect the environment!
Stay on Course: You must remain on the course at all times. Deviations are not permitted unless directed by race officials due to safety concerns or unforeseen circumstances.
Contact Race HQ: If you stop for a substantial length of time (over 1 hour), find an area with mobile phone reception and contact RACE HQ via SMS or a phone call.
Assisting Others: If another team or individual is in need of emergency assistance, it is expected that you provide assistance. You must report this to RACE HQ via SMS or a phone call, or by pushing the emergency button on the tracker. Once reported, the race organizer will credit any time spent assisting with the aid or rescue of a fellow participant.
VI. Weather Contingencies
Route Amendments: In the event of adverse or extreme weather, the race organizers reserve the right to amend the route and program accordingly. You will be informed as soon as possible at the nearest checkpoint (or monitoring position) and will be briefed when appropriate.
Ranking in Case of Route Amendments: If the route is altered during the race, the following procedure will be used to ensure fair rankings:
Assessment of Impact: The race organizers will assess the impact of the route amendment on the overall race distance and estimated finishing times. This may involve analyzing GPS data, elevation profiles and terrain difficulty.
Time Adjustments/Credits: Where possible and appropriate, runners who completed the amended route will receive time adjustments, or runners who completed the original route will receive time credits. These adjustments/credits will be calculated to reflect the estimated time difference between the original and amended routes. The goal is to create a level playing field as much as possible, accounting for the impact of the amendment. The finishers will be ranked based on their adjusted finishing times, regardless of whether they ran the original or amended route. This will be done with the utmost consideration for fairness and transparency.
Ranking Groups: If a time adjustment/credit is not feasible or if the amendment is deemed too significant to accurately adjust times, two groups of finishers may be established:
Group A: Original Route Finishers: Athletes who completed the full, original route before any amendments were made.
Group B: Amended Route Finishers: Athletes who completed the altered route after the amendments were implemented.
In this scenario, athletes in Group A will generally be ranked higher than athletes in Group B, as they completed the more challenging original course. However, the Race Director retains the right to adjust rankings even between groups if there is clear evidence that a Group B runner would have finished ahead of a Group A runner had the route not been changed.
Communication: The methodology for calculating time adjustments/credits and the final rankings will be communicated to all participants as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the race.
Holds: In the event of adverse or extreme weather, you may be held in certain areas on the course or at a checkpoint. This is when course conditions are a danger to your well-being or that of the organization and/or its volunteers. In this scenario, we cannot be held responsible for any additional time this adds to your race, and you will be released as soon as possible and, when possible, in order. However, cut-off times may be amended to allow for delays but will not automatically be extended.
VII. Disqualification & Withdrawal
Withdrawal: If you choose to withdraw from the race, you must notify race officials as soon as possible. They will decide the way of transportation from the point of withdrawal to a checkpoint or Race HQ. Unless you have a medical emergency, transport back to Race HQ can take several hours.
Unfit to Continue: If you are deemed unsuitable to continue at any stage of the race, the race organizers reserve the right to hold you for a minimum of 4 hours or withdraw you from the event. This could be for the following:
Medical grounds – Fatigue, injury, previous medical condition, etc. Not all injuries will require withdrawal from the event, and it is at the discretion of the medical staff. Hypothermia is a serious risk in winter conditions;
Not completing the course as marked/instructed, using public transport, or receiving outside assistance other than what is specified.
Unable to complete the course in the allotted time.
Unsociable behavior.
Poor navigation skills.
Unsafe racing; This includes any actions that endanger yourself or others during the race. Examples of unsafe racing include, but are not limited to:
Ignoring Warnings from Race Officials: Disregarding instructions from race marshals, medical staff, or other officials regarding safety concerns.
Reckless Behavior: Running in a way that creates an unnecessary risk of injury, such as running too close to drop-offs, pushing past other runners in dangerous sections, or taking unnecessary risks in difficult terrain.
Impaired Judgment: Continuing to race when your judgment is clearly impaired by fatigue, hypothermia, or other medical conditions, and you are unable to make safe decisions.
Inadequate Gear: Willfully not using necessary safety gear in appropriate situations, such as not using micro-spikes on icy sections when required, thereby endangering yourself or others.
Ignoring Weather Conditions: Not adapting your pace and strategy to hazardous weather conditions, such as continuing at an unsafe speed during a whiteout or blizzard.Ignoring Traffic Rules: Disregarding traffic regulations when the course intersects with public roads. This includes, but is not limited to:
Failing to stop at stop signs or red lights.
Not yielding to traffic when required.
Crossing roads without due care and attention, especially in low visibility conditions.
Not using designated pedestrian crossings where available.
Cheating: Any form of cheating will result in immediate disqualification and potential ban from future events organized by Legends Trails. Cheating is defined as any action that provides an unfair advantage over other participants or violates the spirit of fair play and self-reliance that is fundamental to this event. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:
Course Cutting: Deliberately deviating from the marked course to shorten the distance.
Using Unauthorized Support: Receiving any form of assistance from a support crew or any individual not affiliated with the race organization, except for participants in the Semi-Supported category who may receive support at designated checkpoints only. This includes, but is not limited to:
Receiving food, water, or gear outside of designated checkpoints (Fully Self-Supported).
Having someone carry your gear or supplies.
Receiving pacing assistance from another person.
Using Prohibited Transportation: Using any form of motorized or wheeled transportation during the race, including but not limited to cars, bikes, and snowmobiles.
Stashing Gear: Pre-placing supplies along the course before the race or having someone else stash supplies for you.
Tampering with Equipment: Intentionally sabotaging or interfering with another participant’s equipment or supplies.
Using Another Person’s Bib: Running under a different name or bib number or allowing another person to use your bib.
Providing False Information: Giving false information to race officials, including but not limited to your medical condition, experience, or adherence to the rules.
Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Using any substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or any other illegal substance.
GPS Manipulation: Intentionally manipulating or falsifying GPS data to misrepresent your progress or location.
Ignoring Mandatory Gear Requirements: Deliberately not carrying mandatory gear or falsely claiming to have carried it during spot checks.
Collusion: Conspiring with other participants or individuals to gain an unfair advantage.
VIII. Final Authority
Race Director’s Decision: The race directors have complete autonomy throughout the duration of the race, and their decision is final on all rulings.
Travel: You are required to make your own way to and from the event.
Amendments: The race organizers reserve the right to amend or update the rules or terms of entry at any time.
These rules are designed to ensure a safe and fair race for all participants. Your adherence to these rules is crucial for the success of the event and, most importantly, your own safety. Good luck, and enjoy the challenge!
