Rules for the conduct of the “Olympian Race”
Ancient Nemea – Ancient Olympia

Rule 1
The organisation of the  international long-distance trail race Ancient Nemea – Olympia is conducted by the “AETHLIOS” International Long-distance Running Association. It connects the ancient Nemea with Olympia, is a race  for individual athletes,  has  a distance of 180 kilometres  and  28 hours duration.

Rule 2
Applications for participation by athletes must be received in the offices of the Association not later than 15th April of the year in which the race will be conducted. As the number of participants is restricted, selection of the eventual participants will be at the discretion of the Organizing Committee, based on the athlete’s best performances required for his/her selection. The selection made by the Organizing Committee is irrevocable.

Rule 3  
The participants must present a Medical Certificate  which will declare that their physical condition allows them to run the distance of the race, 180 kilometres. This certificate must be in the Hellenic or English language and have been issued not more than 3 months prior to the start of the race.

Rule 4
Athletes participate in the race on their own personal responsibility and must understand that the medical facilities offered CANNOT be available at all points of the course OR at all times during the race.

Rule 5                                                         
Athletes participating in the race must present themselves for confirmation of entry 24 hours prior to the race at a place to be designated by the Organizing Committee. 
                                                                
Rule 6
Athletes are obliged to present themselves at the Starting Point of the race in the Stadium of Ancient Nemea  30(thirty) minutes prior to the Starting Time designated by the Organising Committee to ensure recording of the participants. Late arrival may result in exclusion.                                                       

Rule 7
The Finishing Line of the race is in Olympia, outside of the Archaelogical site.  At this point the finishing time of each athlete is recorded and must be within the time limit of 28 hours. All Check Points are exclusion points.

Rule 8  
Athletes may be eliminated from the race for the following reasons:
a)    not observing the Rules of the race.
b)    not passing a Check Point within the time specified.
c)    if considered by the Medical Team to be incapable of completing the course.                                

Rule 9
Athletes may use personal articles  or types of food/beverages during the race on their own responsibility. These articles, marked with the athlete’s race number and the C.P., must be deposited at the briefing on the eve of the race and will be placed in numbered cartons for distribution to the relevant C.P.’s along the route. Responsibility for this lies with the Organizing Committee.

Rule 10 
Athletes must display plainly on the chest and on the back the race number allocated to them, together with their name and nationality. These will be provided by the Organizing Committee.

Rule 11
For safety and security reason, athletes will run on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. If considered necessary by the race responsibles, the route may be changed to the right of the road.

At night athletes must necessarily wear a headlight and reflective clothing. Non-compliance will result in the exclusion of the athlete.

Rule 12
If found necessary, athletes may receive medical attention at any point along the route and assistance from the race organizers.  Taking any medication or drug is strictly forbidden and athlete is expelled. Only doctors can decide if the athlete may continue the race.

Rule13 
Athletes are strictly forbidden to board any vehicle along the route for any reason whatsoever upon penalty of disqualification. The only exception to this rule is described in Rule 15.

Rule 14
ATHLETES USING FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCES (DOPING) WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RACE.

Rule 15
Athletes must follow the designated route of the race. If, for any reason whatsoever, the athlete leaves the designated route, he/she is obliged to return to the last C.P. passed (and not to the point the athlete left the designated route) so that the athlete has the right to participate in the race.  Ιn this circumstance will the race official decided if the mistake of the athlete was on purpose or not. In such case the athlete is expelled from the race. Otherwise the race official ONLYwill transport the athlete.

Rule 16
Athletes are obliged to display respectful conduct and observance of the Olympic spirit at all times.

Rule 17
For reasons of safety and awareness, athletes are NOT allowed to carry and use portable radios, MP3  or similar music devices.

It is permissible and recommended to use a mobile phone for security reasons, but not for music playback.

Rule 18

The athlete can use Nordic walking during the race. From the point of the route that he starts using Nordic walking he must carry them with him to the end of the race.

Rule 19

For the sections of the course where the C.P.’s are more than 15(fifteen) kilometres apart, the athletes are required to carry with them at least 500ml of water.

Rule 20
Athletes must pass the Check Points before the closing times specified. Failure in this results in elimination of participation. If necessary, athletes may be allowed to reach the next C.P. provided they can arrive before its closing time.

Rule 21
Athletes wishing to retire from the race must hand over their race number and timing chip to a race official and sign the WITHDRAWAL FROM RACE FORM at the nearest C.P. for retirement

Rule 22
Any athlete that withdraws from the race must not remain on the course but must be conveyed in transport provided to the hotel in Olympia designated for the athletes. If the transport is that of a supporter, this must be  indicated on the Withdrawal Form. 

Rule 23 
The Organizing Committee is not responsible if the athlete is excluded from the race and continues on his own responsibility.

Rule 24 
Athletes completing the course are obliged to be present at all and any of the celebrations and public events following termination of the race. If this is not possible, the Organizing Committee must be advised beforehand. 

Rule 25
Athletes must declare the names of their supporters, if any, and vehicle details when registering. The vehicle must carry the official signs provided, showing the athlete’s name.

Rule 26
All athletes and their supporters already registered must attend the briefing for the C.P. crews at a time and place to be designated by the Organizing Committee.

Rule 27
All athletes and their supporters must have full knowledge of the Race Rules. The athletes and their supporters and all other individuals taking part in the event are obliged to ask for clarification of any points in doubt from any of the race officials. The Organizing Committee bears no responsibility for any misinterpretations or misunderstandings that arise from lack of proper explanation which result in elimination of an athlete from the race.

Rule 28 
Athletes and their supporters must protect the environment from any form of pollution. 

Rule 29
All drivers, supporters, journalists, T.V. crews, medical teams, members of the Diplomatic Corps and all other individuals, vehicles and teams having any association with the race must be declared beforehand and have the necessary signs and   documentation by which they will be identifiable during the conduct of the race. In the event of any of the aforementioned not complying with this requirement, they will not be allowed to follow the race.

Rule 30    
Athletes are allowed to receive assistance from their supporters ONLY AT A C.P.. DURING THE RACE. NO ASSISTANCE CAN BE OFFERED ELSEWHERE ON THE ROUTE. Violation of this rule by a supporter results in disqualification of the athlete by a decision of the Organizing Committee at the C.P. nearest to the site of the violation.

Rule 31
Along the asphalt sections of the route, the movement of the support vehicles should be SLOW AND VERY CAREFUL, for the safety and protection of the runners. In sections with dirt roads or unpaved streets, the movement of support-vehicles or pedestrian supporters is forbidden. In these sections, supporters must follow the designated diversions. Each driver will be given an informative leaflet during the briefing before the race.

Rule 32
Support vehicles must not move at the speed of the athlete. This will be considered as improper assistance.

Rule 33
Violation of the race rules by supporters of athletes results in disqualification of the athlete(s) concerned.

Rule 34
Vehicles carrying T.V. crews, journalists, press or other photographers must maintain a discrete distance from the athletes to avoid interference and the suspicion of assistance which is forbidden. Violation of this rule may incur removal of the vehicle’s signs and the permission for following the race by the passengers.

Rule 35
The C.P.’s may be relocated without prior announcement if unforeseen circumstances make this necessary, such as roadworks, accident, poor weather conditions, etc..                                                           

Rule 36
For the duration of the race, the Organizing Committee will set-up tables at the C.P.’s for necessary food items, mainly electrolytic fluids. Athletes have the right to have personal items at such C.P.’s along the route.

Rule 37 
In the event of circumstances not being covered by these rules, disputes or other objections will be settled on the spot by officials of the Organizing Committee.
                                                                                 
Rule 38
Objections must be made in writing and submitted to the Organizing Committee before 21.30 hours on Saturday at the Finishing Line in Olympia. Consideration of the objection(s) and the decisions thereof are the exclusive responsibility of the Organizing Committee.
                                                                 
Rule 39
The fees of participation cover the expenses of the athletes’ participation in the race, accommodation and meals on Thursday evening, breakfast and lunch on Friday, dinner and accommodation on Saturday evening, breakfast and lunch on Sunday.  The Organizers will provide transportation  for athletes from Athens to Nemea and from Olympia to Athens. Athletes’ supporters can be accommodated at the same hotels with the athletes and offered the same services and meals. In this case, they will have to pay the same fee as the athletes.