RACE REGULATIONS

Article 1. The Race

Koziakas Trail 25km is a mountain running race with a length of 25,000 meters. It traverses a mountainous area with the start and finish line at Elati, Trikala (altitude 910 meters). The race mainly takes place on mountain trails with a total altitude gain of 1700 meters. The 2nd Koziakas Trail 9km race will start on May 11, 2025, at 09:30.

Article 2. Participation – Conditions and General Information

The race is open to anyone interested in participating, as specified in these Regulations. The date of completion of the registration will be the criterion for inclusion in the list of participants. Each participant is advised to optionally undergo a medical examination before the race, certifying their ability to compete in a race with these characteristics. By completing the application, the participant declares that their health allows them to participate in the event. Participation in the race is done by completing the registration form and paying the fee within the deadline. Participants must respect the environment in which they are competing and keep it clean. All packaging from consumed products or other waste generated by athletes must be disposed of in appropriate containers. Failure to comply with this rule will result in immediate disqualification of the participant. This can be enforced based on the testimony of any member of the race organization. First aid will also be available at several aid stations and at certain designated points. Before the race, all participants must have developed a substantial self-sufficiency ability, ensuring the management of problems arising from races of this type, particularly adverse weather conditions such as wind, cold, fog, rain, and snow. The minimum age for participation in the races is 18 years, completed on the day of the race. Participants must know the route and specifications of the race and be adequately trained for it. Participants should be able to cope with physical and mental problems due to excessive fatigue, joint and muscle pain. They should be aware, among other things, that it is not the exclusive responsibility of the organization to help a participant overcome these problems and that this primarily depends on their ability to adapt to situations arising from this type of race. It is strictly prohibited to receive any form of external assistance, except at the supply stations. Similarly, running accompanied by persons not registered as athletes in the race is prohibited. The participant numbers must be placed in such a way that they are immediately visible and should not be cut, folded, or modified. Non-compliance with this rule leads to immediate disqualification of the competitor. During the race, any athlete who abandons the race is required to inform the members of the organization. Koziakas Trail athletes must carry a hydration container with them.

Article 3. Regarding Registration

Registration is personal and requires acceptance of all the rules established by the organization in these regulations and any additional instructions. Registration must be done exclusively through the organization’s website, by completing the registration form and paying the registration fee. The participant is responsible for the accuracy of their details. Registrations are considered valid only after the corresponding amount has been paid. The organization reserves the right to exclude from the race, even before its start, any participant who, through their behavior, affects the management and smooth running of the race. If this happens, the registration fee will not be refunded. Refund of the participation fee is possible only for serious reasons, for which the organization is informed in time. The participation fee is 25€. The participation fee includes:

• Provision of liquids and solid foods during the race at designated refreshment stations and at the finish line.
• First aid at refreshment stations and specific individual points.
  A place for changing clothes.
• Transportation by car from the nearest accessible point to the finish area, in case of abandonment or prohibition of continuing the race by the organization.
• A gift for the participants.

Article 4. Modification, Cancellation, Transfer of Registration, and Refund

All applications must be submitted by email to koziakastrail@gmail.com from the address provided during registration. Refunds are made by deposit to a bank account, which will be stated in the refund request. Transfer of registration is allowed. To do this, the registered participant must request via email the transfer of their registration to the person they wish, stating the full name and phone number of the transferee. The person to whom the registration will be transferred must complete the registration form. If necessary, the organization will contact the person to whom the registration was transferred. The transfer of registration does not entitle the original registrant to a refund. For reasons related to the preparation of the competition materials, registration transfers will take place until 1/5/2025. In case of race cancellation due to reasons beyond the control of the organization, such as weather alerts, disasters, or broader conflicts that prevent the race from taking place, or any other valid reason deemed by the organization, 50% of the registration fee will be refunded if requested within 90 days after the race date. If the race date is postponed for a significant reason, the registration fee will not be refunded.

Article 5. Mandatory and Recommended Equipment

Mandatory equipment is part of the safety requirements to participate in the event, and participants must carry it throughout the race. The organization may request verification of the equipment before departure, during the race, or upon arrival. Participants must cooperate with the organization members during the verification process, otherwise, they will be disqualified from the race. Mandatory equipment for the Koziakas Trail mountain race includes:

1. Participant number (provided by the organization) to be placed on the chest or stomach and visible during the race.
2. Timing equipment (provided by the organization).
3. Water container or bottle.
4. Shoes suitable for mountain racing.

Article 6. Control and Refreshment Stations for the Koziakas Trail 25km Race

Control stations are mandatory crossing points and are located at places designated by the organization. At each of these stations, members of the organization will be present.
Failure to register at a control station will lead to the disqualification of the participant.
During the race, there may be surprise checks to ensure full compliance with the course.
Only participants with visible athlete numbers will have access to control and supply stations.
Participants will use an electronic timing and control system, provided by the organization.
Supply stations provide food and drinks to be consumed on-site. Each participant’s cups and containers can only be filled with water and isotonic drinks provided at each supply station. Each participant must ensure that they have taken sufficient quantities of liquids and solids when leaving each station to reach the next station.
There will be two types of supply stations: a) stations with liquids and solids, and b) stations with only liquids. The items provided will vary depending on their location along the route.

Article 7. Maximum Time and Time Limits

For the Koziakas Trail 25km race, there is a time limit of 6 hours and 30 minutes. A finish beyond this limit is not considered valid and is not recorded in the official results. At the second station at the base of the Petrouli ski center there will be a time limit of 2h 10min (2 hours and 10 minutes). To continue the race, participants must arrive and leave the control point before their closing time. Otherwise, they will be prevented from continuing and will be disqualified. Any participant disqualified from the race who wishes to continue running can do so only after surrendering their race number, continuing at their own risk and entirely independently. In this case, the organization does not guarantee assistance. For reasons beyond the organizational control (weather conditions and/or safety), the organization reserves the right to change the time limits.

Article 8. Withdrawal, Transportation, and Medical Care

Any withdrawal must be reported at the nearest control station. In case of an accident or injury that immobilizes the participant and prevents them from reaching a control station, they must ensure that the organization is notified. The organization provides transport for the participant who withdraws from the nearest accessible point by car to the finish area. There will be first aid stations at all control and supply stations. In key locations, there will also be individual rescuers. Participants must assist any person in danger and notify the nearest control station. Failure to provide assistance to a participant in an emergency will lead to immediate disqualification and a ban from future races organized by the organization. Participants should remember that, due to topography-related issues and the difficulty of accessing certain areas, they may have to wait longer for assistance. Therefore, athlete safety also depends on the quality of the equipment they carry. If participants cannot contact the organizers, they should contact the national emergency number 112. An athlete who has requested medical assistance is subject to the authority of the medical and paramedical staff and agrees with their decisions. The medical teams have the right to:
– Disqualify a participant (by removing their race number) if they consider them unfit to continue the race.
– Hospitalize a participant whose health condition requires it.
– Transport, by all available means, a participant whose health is deemed to be at risk. Rescue or evacuation costs are borne by the participant.

Article 9. The Course

The race course is as follows:

• START – ELATI
• 1st STATION – VLACHA
• 2nd STATION – PERTULI SKI CENTER
• 3rd STATION – KOZIAKA REFUGE
• 4th STATION – ELATAKOS
• 5th STATION – PAPADIA
• FINISH – ELATI

The route will be marked with tape and other indicative signs where necessary. Especially at intersections, there will be an indication with the symbol X in the wrong direction or the presence of members of the organization.
In case of bad weather conditions (heavy rain or snow at higher elevations, strong winds, and thunderstorms) and according to the decision of the Race Organizing Committee, the organization reserves the right to change the start times, the route, and the time limits.

Article 10. Cancellation of the Race Due to Circumstances Beyond the Organizer’s Control

Before the race:

• In case of situations beyond the control of the organizer, natural disasters (earthquakes, storms).
• In case of dangerous weather conditions for the participants, the organizer may cancel or stop the race. In this case, the participant must follow the instructions of the organization members when they reach a control point. Under these conditions, there is no right to a refund of the registration fee.

Article 11. Accreditation

The accreditation and the race participation package can be collected on the eve of the race Saturday 10/05/2025 from 17:00 until 20:00 from the Secretariat, which will be located in Elati Trikala in the park of Prophet Ilias and on Sunday 11 /05/2025 (the day of the race) from 07:45 to 08:30. For accreditation, participants must present an ID, driver’s license, or passport. The accreditation and collection of the participation package provided by the organizer should preferably be done by the athlete themselves. If the participant is unable to collect their package, they can authorize another person to do so. The package will only be provided upon presentation of the relevant authorization and one of the required documents mentioned above. Submitting the registration form implies the athlete’s unconditional knowledge of the race difficulties and any risks that may arise during it. Similarly, by submitting the form, the athlete confirms unconditionally that they are well aware of the route from the start to the finish as regards morphology, difficulties, and possible dangers that may arise from objective causes or from the athlete’s responsibility. The athlete declares that their health condition is good and at such a level that allows them to participate. By applying, the athlete fully accepts the above risks and situations. The athlete also unconditionally declares that they have the appropriate physical condition, experience in a mountain environment, and suitable equipment that will allow them to participate in the race. The athlete must be particularly careful in the risky parts of the route to avoid any accident.

Article 12. Disqualification and Penalties

A participant will be disqualified for the following reasons:

• Appearing at the start more than 10 minutes late from the start time.
• Finishing beyond the time specified by the organizer or exceeding the time limits set for control points.
• Failure to comply with the marked route.
• Absence from any control points.
• Receiving assistance or refreshments outside the permitted zones (except in an emergency).
• Use of unauthorized transportation.
• Removal of marking tape and/or signs from the routes.
• Loss of the electronic timing bracelet.
• Handing over the electronic timing bracelet during the race to another person to take it during part or the entire length of the route.
• Preventing the passage or placing obstacles for other athletes.
• Violation of rules against opponents, controllers, judges, or other people of the organizer.
• Withdrawal from the race without informing the organizer.
• Disobedience to the instructions of judges, controllers, and other organizers.
• Rejection, removal, or alteration of commercial signs placed by the organizer.
• Refusal to help another participant in an emergency.
• Violation of general rules of nature protection.
• Causing damage to private spaces or shelters.
• Appearing on the podium at the award ceremony with unofficial flags or symbols (country, region, or team/institution).
• Littering.
• Violation of other rules established by the organization.

Article 13. Image Rights

Registration in the races and thus acceptance of these regulations implies that the participant allows the recording of images from their participation, allowing the organizer and/or the sponsor to use them for the dissemination and promotion of the races in any form. In this way, the participant assigns all image rights to the organizer and any sponsors.

Article 14. Categories, Rankings, and Awards

Only participants who pass all control points and cross the finish line within the specified time will be considered to have finished validly and will be included in the rankings. Awards for the winners will be made before the end of the race, at 14:00 at the finish area.

Article 15. Personal Data

The data of participants declared in the registration form will be recorded by the organizer for the purposes of the organization, specifically regarding insurance, participant lists, news, and rankings. All participants can exercise their right to access, correct, or cancel their personal data by sending an email to koziakastrail@gmail.com.

Article 16. Regulations and Amendments

This regulation can be modified until the last day of registration, May 1, 2025, depending on the needs of the organization. Matters omitted from this regulation will be resolved by the organizer or the Organizing Committee.