TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following terms and conditions apply to all events directed by Trailsplus Pty Ltd.

All people who register to participate in a Trailsplus event acknowledge and agree to abide by the following:

PARTICIPANT’S WAIVER

By registering to participate, the competitor declares they:

-are trained, fit and injury free.

-present no risk to themselves or others by participating in the event.

-will withdraw from the event and seek medical attention if they become unwell or injured.

-acknowledge that distance and trail running carries risks including, but not limited to, weather, trip hazards, hydration, hyperthermia and rough surfaces and take full responsibility for their own actions.

-participate at their own risk.

-accept all risks and release the event organiser, its agents, affiliates, employees, members, sponsors, promoters, volunteers, and any person or body, directly or indirectly associated with the event, from all claims, demands and proceedings arising out of or connected with their participation in the event and indemnify them against all liability for all injury, loss or damage arising out of or connected with their participation in this event. This release continues forever and binds their heirs, successors, executors, personal representatives and assigns.

GENERAL RACE INFORMATION

OBEYING INSTRUCTIONS

All participants must obey the instructions of the race director, Trailsplus representatives and Parks Victoria employees.

SAFETY

Trail running is a healthy and fun way to keep fit and enjoy our beautiful outdoors. However, due to its nature, it also carries elements of risk. Examples are exposure to extreme weather conditions, injuries such as twisted ankles and dehydration. It is the responsibility of all participants to conduct themselves in a safe manner and to help other participants if injured or in need of assistance.
If a competitor is injured or requires assistance, other participants must provide assistance if possible, or remain with the injured competitor until assistance arrives.

KNOWING THE COURSE

Trailsplus will mark the course for each race (unless otherwise advised) and all efforts will be made to make the course easy to follow. However, runners are responsible for knowing the layout of the race course. Trailsplus strongly encourages each participant to make themselves familiar with the course and carry course maps during the event. Maps are provided on the race web page and in the pre-race brief. These may be downloaded and printed.

Some general rules:

At every decision point, look at each option. There will always be signs or markings pointing you the correct way. Most course errors occur due to lack of runner concentration.

Don’t always follow the person in front of you. They may have made a mistake, or they may be running a different race, with a different course to follow.

If you know you’re off course, go back to where you went wrong and make it right. Best fixed as soon as you realise the error.

Podium finishers will be disqualified if they do not complete the correct course.

Occasionally vandals tamper with course markings. These will be rectified when possible, but a reasonable concept of the course will assist in recognising an incorrect marking.

AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPETITORS

42km and over  – Competitors must be 18 years or over.

21km and 30km – Competitors must be 16 years or over. If under 18 years, a parent’s approval is required.

Shorter distances are open to all ages.

Children aged 5 and under must be supervised by a participating adult. 

For children aged over 5, it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child can navigate the course. Trailsplus course marking is intended for instructing adults.

MANDATORY GEAR

Some Trailsplus events require mandatory gear. If required, it is listed in the race details and in the pre-race brief document, both provided on the race web page. Mandatory gear is a list of items that MUST be carried by all competitors. It may include certain clothing, nutrition items and first aid items.

CUT OFF TIMES

Trailsplus always encourages competitors to achieve a finish time for the their event, while it is safe to do so. However, to ensure the safety of all participants, Trailsplus applies cut off times for some events. These will be listed on each race’s information page. Cut off times are adjustable at the discretion of the race director and medical staff.

WITHDRAWALS

If, after a race has started, a competitor withdraws from the race for any reason, they must notify a Trailsplus representative (staff or volunteer). This is required to avoid unnecessary searches for missing competitors.

iPODS AND OTHER AUDIO DEVICES

Many runners enjoy listening to music as they run. However, use of all music devices is strongly discouraged while participating in Trailsplus events. At Trailsplus events it is important to be able to hear instructions at road crossings, check points and aid stations, and many events require full sensory awareness due to the technical nature of the trails. Music from a competitors device must not be audible at any level to another competitor. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. Please leave your iPods off the trail and enjoy real trail running, the camaraderie of those running with you, and respect others who want to enjoy the surrounds and not your music. Please understand and respect the reasons for this restriction.

INSURANCE

Trailsplus has public liability insurance for each event. However it does not cover individual competitor medical or rescue costs. Ambulance transfer is expensive and this cost is the responsibility of each individual competitor. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you have current ambulance cover and you are encouraged to consider personal insurance against losses such as medical, race entry and accomodation costs.

RACE BIBS

Trailsplus does not send race packs to competitors in the post. Race bibs must be collected on race day at the registration table. The race bib is to be worn on the front of the competitor’s torso. It must be visible at all times. It is used to identify runners at aid stations and at other check points, including the finish line.

Trailsplus uses electronic timing for most events. For these races, a competitor’s race bib carries 2 electronic chips that will be read at the finish, and possibly at other locations during the race.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOUR BIB IS WORN IN A MANNER FOR YOUR TIME TO BE RECORDED, SO PLEASE ENSURE THE RACE NUMBER AND TIMING CHIP ARE IN CLEAR VIEW WHEN PASSING THE FINISH LINE.

The timing chip remains the property of Trailsplus. There will be someone to collect your chip when you finish. They will remove it from the back of your race bib. If this does not occur, and you take the chip home with you, please return it via post to:

Trailsplus Pty Ltd
PO Box 119
Keilor  VIC  3036

PAYMENT ON THE DAY

At most events Trailsplus accepts registration on the day. Payment can be made by cash or EFTPOS. EFTPOS may not be available in locations with unreliable phone reception. Please consider bringing cash to these locations.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND VALUABLES

Trailsplus will provide an area where personal belongings may be placed during the race. However, Trailsplus does not accept responsibility for their safety. If you have valuables that you are concerned about, please do not leave them in this area.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

For most Trailsplus events, volunteer and professional photographers take photos and videos. These images may be made available for publication on social media, websites or paper media. By participating, the competitor gives permission for any images and commentary that includes them to be used by Trailsplus and their partners.

RUBBISH

Trailsplus is proud of our reputation of leaving our trails as we found them, OR BETTER. No rubbish is to be left on the course. Please place all items, no matter how small, in pockets for depositing in bins at check points.  This is extremely important to ensure the ongoing support of Parks Victoria and the future of our events.

NO PAPER CUPS

All Trailsplus events are paper cup free. This means all competitors must provide their own vessel for drinking at our aid stations, such as a drink bottle or cup. Re-usable, collapsable silicone cups are available to buy at all Trailsplus events (cost $5). They are available in a variety of colours and sometimes with printed race logos.

PACING

Pacing is permitted for safety reasons only. Pacing is not permitted for gaining an advantage over other competitors. Pacing is not permitted where the event maybe used for qualifying purposes.

TRANSFERRING, SELLING, GIVING YOUR TICKET AWAY

For insurance, legal and permit reasons, for the safety of all participants, and to protect the future of Trailsplus events, Trailsplus does not permit transfer or on-selling of race tickets. Running using another person’s bib is strictly prohibited. Trailsplus may perform random ID checks to ensure bibs are collected by the registered competitor.
Trailsplus Platinum members can make special arrangements under their refund policy, according to the terms and conditions of their membership.

REFUND POLICY

Unable to attend the event:

Refunds are available up to 30 days before race day. Your refund will be transferred to your credit card, less a 50% administration fee. Within 30 days of event day there are no refunds. Please understand considerable cost is spent leading up to events, preventing full refunds. Don’t ask for refunds outside these terms and conditions as Trailsplus does not want to offend participants with refusal. Trailsplus recommends participants consider making arrangements for their own insurance against losses due to cancellation.

Race cancellation:

Trailsplus will always make every effort to ensure all scheduled events go ahead as advertised. We enjoy them as much as you do! However, there are several conditions that may require an event to be postponed or cancelled, for example, inclement weather, bushfires or dangerous track conditions. These are outside the control of Trailsplus and Trailsplus may be directed by other authorities, such as Parks Vic and local councils, to cancel an event. If an event cannot go ahead as scheduled, Trailsplus will endeavour to postpone the event to an alternate date. However, in some circumstances the event may have to be cancelled. Refunds will be not be available for postponement or late cancellation of an event.

Participants who are Trailsplus Platinum members are eligible for a refund under the terms and conditions of their membership.

CHANGING DISTANCE

Participants may change distance after online registration.

More than 30 days before the event:

– Stepping down – pay $10 admin fee
– Stepping up – pay difference between price paid and current fee + $10 admin fee
– Personalised bib

30 days or less before the event:

– Stepping down – pay $20 admin fee
– Stepping up – pay difference between price paid and current fee + $20 admin fee
– non-personalised bib

PRIVACY POLICY

Trailsplus collects and stores personal information provided by participants through the online and on day registration process. Trailsplus does not request any sensitive or private information. Trailsplus takes all reasonable measures to ensure the information is stored securely.  Trailsplus uses this information to contact participants regarding race-related matters, including advertising for future and upcoming events. Some information is also used to produce event result reports which are accessible on the Trailsplus website.  Trailsplus does not share or sell information about their race participants to any other organisations, partners or entities.

CHILD SAFETY POLICY

Trailsplus events are held in locations deliberately chosen for their natural beauty, and are usually near scenic waterways and adjacent to roads.  All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the child.  All children under the age of 10 must be under the constant supervision of the accompanying adult.