REGISTRATION

Registration for all our events will take place from the Race Village at Dores Field on
Friday the 26th May 2023 from 14h00 to 19h00.

RACE BIB / NUMBER

The race number must be affixed to your front, either pinned to your shirt or on the hip / pelvic area and be permanently and fully visible throughout the entire race. It must always be positioned over any clothing and cannot for any reason be fixed onto the back or on a leg.  We recommend using a race belt.

COMPULSORY GEAR

The Loch Ness 100 Miler and 50 Miler requires runners to carry all the Compulsory Gear for the entire race, no matter which distance entered. The weather can change drastically during the day as the trails take runners into mountainous terrain. This list is seen as a set of ‘mandatory minimums’. Please add to this list according to your needs.
Compulsory Gear will be available for purchase at regular retail prices during Registration.

NOTE: If any Compulsory Gear is not on your person during the race or at the finish, time penalties ranging from 15-30 minutes per item will be imposed.

RECOMMENDED GEAR LIST

Race Belt, Peak Cap, Sunglasses, Sun Screen, Ziplock bags, Wet wipes, Anti-chafe Cream, Disinfectant, First Aid Kit, 50 pounds cash or credit card.

COMPULSORY GEAR LIST

1. Running Pack – COMPULSORY. A combination of race pack and storage belts are allowed
2. Hydration – Min.1.5L capacity of which 300ml must be in reserve at all times. Any combination allowed, e.g. bottles or bladder or both.
3. Waterproof Jacket with Hood – Must be lightweight, waterproof, breathable as specified by the manufacturer. Hood to be integrated and seams tape sealed. Wind proofs or ponchos WILL NOT be considered.
4. Waterproof Pants – Full length waterproof over pants.
5. Long Sleeved Thermal Top Layer – Fabrics to be synthetic or wool fabric – no cotton. Preferably kept in a dry bag or zip lock bag to keep it dry.
6. Thermal Leggings – Fabrics to be synthetic or wool fabric – no cotton. Preferably kept in a dry bag or zip lock bag to keep it dry.
7. Beanie – Close fitting and of synthetic or wool fabric. Lightweight, moisture wicking/quick drying.
8. Neck Scarf / Buff – Close fitting and of synthetic or wool fabric. Lightweight, moisture wicking/quick drying.
9. Gloves – Warm and preferably waterproof.
10. Whistle – Easily accessible to sound an alert if required.
11. Survival Blanket – Size 1m x 2m minimum.
12. Adhesive Bandage – Size 5cm x 100cm minimum.
13. Race Number – Fully visible at all times; facing the front and must be either pinned to the shirt or on the hip/pelvic area – race belts accepted. It must ALWAYS be positioned over any clothing and CANNOT for any reason be fixed onto the back (including your race pack).
14. Charged Phone – Leave in ‘Flight Mode’ to conserve battery. Turn phone cell signal ON during emergencies.
15. Headlamp / Torch – In good working order with an additional set of spare batteries.
16. Second Headlamp – In good working order with an additional set of spare batteries.
17. Food Reserve – A minimum of 250 calories of food in reserve at all times.
18. Personal Cup – All drinks will be served into your own cup. Bottles do not apply

*Loch Ness 100 Miler and Loch Ness 50 Miler will never change or downgrade this list based on weather forecasts.

EVENT RULES & INFORMATION

Support

The Loch Ness 100 Miler and Loch Ness 50 Miler are events true to the spirit of semi-self sufficiency. We value the camaraderie that comes from seconding crews who support the runners through their extraordinary feats of endurance. However, it is our position that no runner shall benefit over another because they have a seconding crew in place to expedite the runners’ passage over the race route. Therefore in the spirit of fairness and to ensure an equal playing field for all starting the race, we will penalise or disqualify runners for any transgression of the following:

• Accepting any form of mobile support along the route, e.g. pacing or muling.
• Not carrying the complete set of Compulsory Gear at all times, including a 300ml reserve of water at all times.
• Switching of running packs by seconding teams is NOT allowed. Start with one pack and carry it for the entire duration of your race. Your timing chip is attached to your running pack; it CAN’T be removed and must be visible to the GOYA Events Ltd crew at all times.
• Runners are not allowed to accept any support from their crew outside the designated Aid Station areas.
• Runners may take as much food and beverage as needed from each Aid Station provided by the organiser. Race participants will not be allowed to take any bottles, cans or cups from these areas and should plan on carrying and refilling their own hydration systems at the Aid Stations.
• Runners may run, walk or crawl, but may not make use of any motorised or wheeled vehicles during the race. If a runner goes off the marked course for any reason, they must make their way back onto the course on foot.
• Runners must make forward progress exclusively under their own power. Carrying, pulling or pushing by other racers or members of the public is prohibited.
• Runners who choose to use poles must carry these on them at all times, from start to finish. Poles cannot be discarded, stashed or given to crew for keeping. Please be conscious of those around you when using poles.

Environment

The trails have been preserved by many people ahead of our Event, so please take care of the trails and surrounds and leave them pristine for those who come afterwards. 

• Any littering on the course is strictly prohibited. Runners are responsible for ensuring that anything they discard goes into a bin. Strictly adhere to the “leave no trace and take no souvenirs” policy.
• Never scare animals – give extra room and announce your presence appropriately to prevent possible dangerous situations (horses, baboons etc.). Follow directions from horse riders and don’t use loud and startling noises. If any animal is purposely scared or disturbed, it will be grounds for disqualification.
• Yield on the trail by respecting other trail users (i.e. recreational users and residents) when passing – be aware of blind spots and slow down when you need to.
• Follow the marked course. Shortcuts, including avoiding switchbacks, are not permitted.
• No overtaking by going off the trail. Wait until there is adequate space to pass another runner.
• If you deliberately ignore customary rules of conduct of the trail, road and checkpoints – especially concerning safety, waste, erosion and hygiene – you will at best incur a time penalty; at worst it will be grounds for disqualification.
• No pets allowed.

Food & Drink

• Participants may take as much food and beverage as needed from each aid station provided by the organiser. You will not be allowed to take any bottles, cans or cups from these areas and should plan on carrying and refilling your hydration systems at the aid stations.
• We are a cup less race and carrying your own cup is compulsory.

Cut-off times

• The Loch Ness 100 Miler and Loch Ness 50 Miler has several intermediate and race finish cut-off times that will be strictly enforced. Cut-offs are in place to ensure that the Medical / Search and Rescue teams can deploy to various parts of the route and ensure that the organisation meets the permit conditions of the Event.
• To be allowed to continue with your race, you must depart the checkpoint before the time barrier, regardless of the time of arrival at the checkpoint.
• You must obey the marshals if you miss any time cut-offs. You can find the cut-off times under our Route Info section.

GENERAL

• DNF (Did Not Finish): Should you need to drop out of the race, you will need to continue to the nearest Aid Station along the marked course and inform the station captain. NOTE: If you are not sure who that is, please ask around until you find them – this is your responsibility. If you are unable to continue the medical team will communicate this to Race HQ.
• Receiving an IV drip from the Event Medical Crew will automatically disqualify you and you will not be allowed to continue in the race.
• Runners are to have their Compulsory Gear with them at all times during the race. Random gear checks will be performed during the event. Penalties ranging from time penalties to disqualification will be applied based on the severity of the breach.
• Runners must follow the marked course the entire way and register at each Aid Station/Timing Point.
• Your race number must be visible at all times on the outside of your clothing and on the front of your body. Do not cover your race number with any article of clothing. We recommend using a race belt.

Timing & Recording

You will be electronically recorded at points along the route. You may not skip these points and will have to present yourself at each Timing Point for recording. Your progress will be available on our live tracking system via the website on race day.

Bag Service

We will provide a supervised bag storage service to all participants for free. Please drop your bag off at the designated Bag Service area on your specific race day. The organisers cannot be held liable for any losses. 

Drop Bags (100 miler only)

• You will be issued your own Event Drop Bag and ID tag at Registration.
• You can place extra nutrition and a change of clothes / shoes / in this Drop Bag. No valuables are to be placed in your Drop Bag.
• Your Drop Bag will be brought back to the finish for collection. Times to be confirmed closer to Race Week.
• Any bags not collected during Race Week will be donated to charity. No bag will be shipped back to participants.

Lost and Found 

Any personal items left after the race will be donated to a charity or to other local runners in need. We will not ship items to you. 

Results

Preliminary results will be available immediately on the website. Final results (with any corrections) will be posted on this website within a few days of the race.

• Runners wishing to make a protest must notify the race command centre within 60 minutes of finishing the race.
• Protests will be considered by a three-person committee consisting of the race director and two independent third parties.
• Decisions of the committee are final.

Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of the race week. As participants, please show your appreciation for their efforts to help you finish the race by thanking and giving a smile to our volunteers. We are always looking for volunteers. Do you have friends or family that may want to volunteer? Learn more by visiting our Volunteer page on the website.

Insurance

The organiser GOYA Events Ltd has public liability insurance cover. This does not include personal accident insurance for competitors. We recommend that you arrange your own personal accident insurance, ambulance cover and income protection insurance before participating in the Event to cover any unforeseen personal costs you may incur due to ambulance trips, medical expenses or time off work due to injuries sustained whilst participating in the Event. International participants should take out travel insurance that provides cover for ultra-trail running events.

Safety Considerations

As a Loch Ness 100 Miler or Loch Ness 50 Miler participant, you are responsible for yourself and should know the rules and regulations of the race. You need to be able to clearly evaluate your mental and physical abilities. You need to be sufficiently trained and keep all the necessary equipment with you. Runners should be able to complete the race in a semi-autonomous manner in terms of food, drink, clothing and safety. This requires an ability to adapt and face expected or unexpected problems (darkness, bad weather, physical ailments, injury, etc.).
 
The Event takes place on extremely rugged, single-track hiking trails. Running on such trails comes with inherent risks that runners accept upon entering the event. Runners will be in remote areas where help is not always nearby for extended periods and need to be prepared accordingly in cases of emergency. 
 
In addition to trail conditions, other potential dangers include but are not limited to wet/slippery trail conditions (mud, roots and rocks), wet / slippery boardwalks and bridges, bees / bee stings, road crossings and steep drop-offs / cliffs. Caution must be taken with regard to personal safety and incidents of crime. While highly unlikely that such incidents will occur, we recommend partnering up along the route.

EMERGENCIES

If you leave the course and fail to notify race officials, you will be banned from participating in the future (unless assisted from the course by First Aid crews). We will provide a shuttle service back to the start / finish but cannot guarantee the frequency of the service. We recommend you put somebody on standby or call for a taxi.

If you become immobile and need to consult with a medic you will need to take the following steps:

STEP 1: Initially use your first aid kit, stay warm, dry and be visible.

STEP 2: Phone the emergency number located on your race number, you will be asked your race number, name and location … help will be sent on its way.

If there is no cell reception

STEP 1: Initially use your first aid kit, stay warm and dry and make sure you are visible.

STEP 2: Wait for an assisting participant who will find the nearest marshal or staff member who will make contact with Race HQ.

STEP 3: A medical and rescue team will be dispatched to your location.

You will either be treated and allowed to continue or be and evacuated off the route to the nearest medical asset by ambulance or in life-threatening situations by helicopter.