Race Rules

Rules that are NOT meant to be broken.

Race Rules

  1. The race starts at 18:00 hrs sharp on AUG 19. All 4 categories (111 Km, 222 Km,  333 Km & 555 km) will begin at the same time and from exact same spot close to Lakzung, in Nubra Valley, Ladakh. 33 & 55 km category will start from Serthi Village below Wari La on 21st August at 8:00 AM & 7:00 AM respectively. This village is approx. 55 kms from Leh and runners will be taken there by the organizers sharp at 5:30 AM on 21st Aug.
  2. It is compulsory for all participants in 111, 222, 333 & 555 km categories to attend the participants briefing on the 9th August. The time & venue of the meeting will be shared closer to race date. For 33 & 55 km runners there will be a separate briefing. Details of this will be shared with them.
  3. No personal crewing or vehicles are allowed from the start point till the 87 Km mark (South Pullu). All support will be provided by the race organizers through mobile aid stations at regular intervals (4-5 Kms). Food, drinks, energy items will be available at each of these stations. Other items like spare clothes, gear, personal energy drink items need to be put in drop bags and handed over to race organizers before the start of the race.
  4. Each runner will be handed 3-5 drop bags with their name tags. These bags are to be handed over to race officials by 1:00 PM on Race day. For the 55 km category, these will be collected on day of race at Serthi Village.
  5. Runner’s drop bags will be available at the designated station point the bag was requested for. The station points will be discussed in detail during the team briefings.
  6. Once personal crewing starts at the 87 Km mark (South Pullu), these drop bags will be handed over to your personal crew teams to be kept in your personal crew vehicle.
  7. Running Number – Each runner will be handed over 3 BIBs. At any given point of time, 1 BIB is to be worn in the front, visible to all race officials. The other 2 are spare BIBS, to be used for the long race course in which 1 BIB may get damaged.
  8. Car Markings –Every runner (in the 222 & 333 km category) will get 3 Car stickers with his/her name & running number. These stickers are to be put on your personal crew vehicles. 1 sticker for the back, 1 sticker for each side.
  9. Runners and support crew must always stay on 1 side of the road, facing the oncoming traffic. Even though traffic in Ladakh is not heavy, these highways are used regularly by passing Army convoys. The crew vehicles should only stop at the “WIDE SPOTS” created by the BRO (Border road organization).
  10. Runners, their crew teams and all race officials are requested not to litter the environment. There will be 1 garbage bag in every car and all waste items should be dumped in it. In case your bags are full, please tie and drop them at the next major timing station where garbage will be disposed.
  11. Clock will not stop for any reason once the run starts and until all final cut-offs are met. All runners must cross finish line and get off the course after the final cut-off for your category is over. For safety reasons, any racer found on course after the category cut-off is over, will be taken off course. Note – Same is to be followed in case you are pulled off course after not making an internal cut-off.
  12. Make your presence known at all timing (cut-off) stations. These stations will also have mandatory medical checks.
  13. Most importantly, maintain great spirits throughout the course. Respect the mighty Himalayas and keep a cheerful sportsman’s attitude. An understanding with the mountains will help you fight the tough elements throughout the race. Like the locals say – “You don’t climb/cross these high passes; these mountains let you do it”.
  14. Nudity is strictly not allowed anywhere on the course. Please respect the locals on the way and their surroundings in the villages on course.

All cut-offs will be followed strictly. Runner’s who do not make the cut-offs mentioned below for distance & times mentioned will be pulled out of the race. These cut-offs have been put for your safety. A safe time limit for the distance has been allowed, minimizing your exposure to the extreme altitudes, but at the same time giving you ample space to cover the distance at a consistent pace.

It is very unlikely the participant could do the distance in the final cut-off if even one of the inner cut-off is not met. More so, they’ll have higher chance of getting HAS and / or HAPE. In case a runner is asked to pull out, we

CUT –OFFs for all categories –
 
111 Km category

222 Km category

333 Km category

555 Km category

  1. Important point – Safety is the top priority for the organizers, and should be the same for runners & their crew teams. DO NOT leave anyone alone on the course in any scenario.
  2. You should not spend very long time on top of any of the 3 high passes, Khardung La, Wari La & Tanglang LA. (Max 30 min).
  3. The Weather at Night is extreme, hence, apart from taking special care of the participant; you need to take care of yourself as well. Disorientation and Hypothermia at these extreme conditions at high altitude is very likely if precautionary measures are not taken. Make sure your cold weather & water proof gear is with you all the time.
  4. Sitting in cars with rolled up windows is a complete NO beyond 16,000 ft. sleeping in the car above 14,000ft could be hazardous.
  5. During the hours of darkness, participants should be wearing fluorescent vests and / or White or Red LED blinking lights. To ensure the same, runners are supposed to bring along, at least 2 highly reflective vests & 4 blinking lights or more depending upon battery usage and durability. To rule out wastage of time and effort during the run, it is advisable that runners carry at least 6-8 Red blinking lights.
  6. It is extremely important to ensure you sleep and get as much rest as possible when not on shift. Be aware that our body clocks are impacted by late shifts and overnight shifts. Adrenalin can override our sense of awareness about how fatigued we are and our reaction times and decision making can be impacted. Be responsible and take care of yourself. We all tend to get carried away and push our bodies harder than what they are ready for.
  7. In case of an emergency if runner is administered oxygen for life support, runner will be, for safety reasons taken off the course.
  8. In case of emergency if runner needs to be hospitalized for any reasons. The runner shall not be allowed to continue further in the race.
  9. All runners & crew members should go through information on High altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) & Acute mountain sickness (AMS), mentioned in the document.
  • Runners will be disqualified and taken off the course if any of the following happens –

    • Every inch of the course should be covered by the runner on foot only. If found taking support through other means such as bicycle, car, skates or any other vehicular means, runner will be disqualified and taken off course.
    • Found using IV drugs or any other substance through IV injections. The medical team will only administer drugs through IV, if to their satisfaction & race director’s satisfaction; it is found that the runner is in urgent need of certain drugs to counter effects of severe HAPE and / or HACE.
    • Any runner found making progress on the race route with help of other crew members or anyone else in form of pushing, supporting on shoulder (being carried), using ropes, will be disqualified.
  • Only from the South Pullu (87 Km mark) and onward personal crew members can aid you.
  • A runner’s team should comprise of at-least 2 support crew individuals & ONE SUV/MUV registered with the local taxi association. The cars used for personal crewing should be driven & owned by local Ladakhi person, whose license & car must be registered with the local TAXI association. For the same reason, the vehicle to be used for personal crewing should be the one provided by the race organizers after verifying all of the above. Do not use any other vehicle.
  • At-least one of the crew members other than the driver of the car should be HINDI speaking, or fluent in local Ladakhi language. Communication with driver and locals belonging to the villages we are passing through is very important.
  • Your Runner is your responsibility. See that all the necessary immediate First Aid is carried and is used when needed. As a rule of thumb: If in doubt talk to the Patrolling Party or head to the nearest Checkpoint! You always move down if there are symptoms of HAS, HAPE or HACE.
  • No more than ONE crew member should be on the road, pacing the runner on busy sections of highway.

    — Khardung FROG (99 Km mark) to LEH.

    — Karu – Upshi – Rumptse – Tanglang LA.

    — KARU Circle.

  • Always walk behind you runner in a single file. Keep an eye on your runner during later stages of the race and watch out if your runner is keeping straight or not. Any disorientation due to HAPE or HACE can result in uncontrolled gait.
  • Please don’t put your participant under any undue pressure to finish faster or sooner than the others. Always check with your runner on his/her strategy for the remaining distance. Learn that well during acclimatization days and prepare yourself better as a crew.
  • Sitting in cars with rolled up windows is not recommended at 15,000 ft and beyond. Even though post acclimatization sleeping and spending longer times at very high altitudes should not be a problem, the stress from non-stop nature of this race can have adverse effects.
  • Resting facilities will be provided at Checkpoints such as, Leh, Serthi village camp, Lato camp before Tanglang LA, and Debring (333 km point). Here, crew members/runners can rest and then resume the run on course.
  • No other place of your choice should be chosen to rest at the above spots, other than what’s provided by the race organizer, all facilities here will have been arranged for you. The only other recommended place to rest besides these places will be your crew vehicle. Again keep a note of altitude you are sleeping at. Always descend a bit if you are above 15,500 feet.
  • Please be courteous to others, remember that you are the public face of this event! – Avoid Arguments and Conflicts. That’ll not solve any problems.
  • Littering is prohibited – Always dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully – don’t litter! Best is to make a makeshift bin inside your vehicle and dispose garbage at points like – North Pullu, K-Top, South Pullu, Leh city, Karu Junction, Serthi Village & The High Camp.
  • It is compulsory to wear reflective vests & head torches for support crew and pacers who are on the road with their runner during night time. Compulsory after 6:00 PM till 6:00 AM.
  •  
  1. Each runner in the 222 Km, 333 Km & 555 km category is allowed to use only 1 crew vehicle, as provided by the organizers. No other private vehicle will be allowed on the course without special permission from the race organizers.
  2. All support vehicles should have highly visible race markings on them provided by the race organization. These markings show the runner’s name & number.
  3. After 6:00 PM till 6:00 AM, headlamps should be turned on while moving on the road. On occasions where the team is planning to stop for a longer duration, PARKING LIGHTS should remain turned on when the vehicle is on side of the road.
  4. Always use the WIDER sections on the road side to park your car. Please be considerate while using these vehicles. These are owned by the drivers of the cars and they will clearly not appreciate banging of doors and using the space inside inappropriately. Keep your car well organized all the times, as this will help save time when items will be requested by the runner during the race.
  5. The cars should always carry adequate water during the race. Enough for the runner for his race time needs, for crew & the driver. Teams will be requested to tell us their water requirements for the race and the quantity will be allotted to the runner stage by stage. Please keep a track of your usage and inform the race officials well in advance in case of further requirements.
  6. The car windows should never be blocked or obstructed by anything inside or outside the car. The 4 car stickers provided by the organizers should be put on FRONT & REAR windscreen, and the 2 SIDE DOORS. Also make sure, no item in the boot space is towering above blocking the REAR view for the driver. This can be extremely dangerous while overtaking and lane changing.
  1. If a runner decides to leave the course for any reason, but with the intent of coming back and continuing the race, the team should put the runner’s stake in the ground, at the exact spot where runner is pulling off. This stake will have runner’s name & running number, provided by the organizers.
  2. Whether the runner is leaving the course temporarily or withdrawing him/herself of the race, the decision needs to be communicated to the nearest race official at the earliest. The reason for such withdrawal or leaving the course should be noted along with TIME, distance covered and runner’s health status including symptoms of problems, if any.
  3. At various junctions, forks, route markings will be put to avoid confusion and clearly tell the runner of the actual running route. Crew members and runners are both advised to carefully look for these before taking a turn. In course if a wrong turn is taken, runner will be driven back to the point of error and will have to start his/her run thereon. No adjustments for loss of time will be made for such errors. No exceptions.
  1. You need to look at your Runner’s body language. Learn more about your runner and his/her race plan by meeting often during acclimatization days.
  2. These runners are very well experienced and know how they would react in certain situations. They might even tell you how you can help them or need to do in those situations. Listen to them.
  3. If you’re walking alongside your runner through the checkpoint, suggest him/her to stride out if you notice their step shortening through fatigue.
  4. Everyone has a different approach and different temperament. Runners and Crew, be kind to each other. Crew members are there for runners to achieve their goals and want you to succeed. At times they may be fragile, and they will definitely feel fatigued.
  5. Be encouraging to the runners and your fellow crew members.
  6. Your runner will go through a range of emotional and physical highs and lows during the race based on fatigue, mental state, pain, perceived performance, body’s circadian rhythms, etc. Nutrition is the most significant thing which helps in controlling the lows. A steady supply of calories will help keep the mood and physical state up. The rising Sun tend to have a positive impact on both teams and crew.
  7. Most important and above all, the support crew has to be in high spirits, positive and believes in the Runner’s goal, this will help everyone.
  8. Support crew will get fatigued as well. Look after yourselves; keep the mood positive when you are with the team.
  9. Your personal feelings and thoughts about anything related to Running and the Event which would be negative or conflicting statements are strictly to be kept to self and at any point not discussed with the runners or other support crew members which might prove to be discouraging to everyone.
  1. All runners and crew members are required to complete the race entry procedure by complying at every process before the race. And pay all fees as communicated to them.
  2. All runners & crew should sign the accident & release of liability waiver document provided during the team meeting by the race organizers.
  3. No media team or individual, producer, director, wanting to take photographs or film any portion of the race or about the race can do so, without prior permission from the race organizers, I Run Sports Management (P) Ltd. The concerned person or team will also be required to sign an AGREEMENT for Still Photography, Filming Rights, Copyright, Licensing and Distribution.

In case of a factual situation that is not covered by the rules, the Race Director is the absolute and final authority to take a decision that he deems just. In the interest of fair play, the Race Director may amend or repeal any of the above rules and decide on the matter as he deems appropriate. The Race Director’s decisions will be final and binding on all runners, their crew members and all persons associated with the race. There is no provision of appeal from the decisions made by the Race Director.

  1. Long Sleeve Thermal Top and Long Leg Thermal Pants
  2. Beanie or Balaclava or Equivalent – Also available in La Ultra merchandise
  3. Fleece/insulated one’s will help during cold conditions.
  4. Cap/Hat for face, neck protection from sun. It can get burning during day time. Good to have a light coloured one.
  5. Whistle.
  6. 2 reflective Vests – Must for runners.
  7. 4-5 normal, Red LED blinking lights – Compulsory for runners. More in number so you can use another when battery runs out.
  8. Head torches – Compulsory for all.
  9. Water & Wind proof outer shell.
  10. Down jacket or any other insulation outerwear for protection in cold conditions.
  11. Spare running shoes. The one you are comfortable with. During the long course you mail need to change the worn out shoes or ease the blisters you may get.
  12. Spare running socks. Again what suits you well, great to have 4-5 extra pairs or even more as per your experience in hot & cold weather races.
  13. Sun glasses – with adequate UV, sand & wind protection.

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