Race Regulations

SEMI-AUTONOMY
The principal of the race in semi-autonomy is the rule. LAKE BIWA 100 takes place in one single stage, at an undefined pace, within the limits of the time barriers. Semi-autonomy is defined as having the capacity to be autonomous between two refreshments posts, as much on the food front as that of clothing and security, allowing for adaptation to problems encountered or foreseen (bad weather, physical problems, injury, etc.).
This principal implies, in particular, the following rules:

• Preventing the passage of the hikers on the course without consideration to them
• Intentionally going off the trail
• Collecting animals, plants, fungi, rocks on the course and in all areas, and damage buildings
• Littering on the trail (garbage should be disposed at the aid stations)
• Using earphones （except for those earphones don’t plug into ears such as bone-conduction earphones）
• Running barefoot, in sandals, or similar.
• Leaving food and equipment on the course prior to the race
• Use of transport during the race
• Doping
• It is forbidden to accompany, or be accompanied along any part the race route by a person not registered for the race, outside of the tolerance zones which are clearly marked in the proximity of the refreshment posts. A participant who accepts being accompanied outside of the expressly designated zones contravenes the principle of semi-autonomy. The race stewards witnessing irregularities are authorised to penalise the participants, in order to guarantee the spirit of trail-running events.
• A personal assistant is tolerated exclusively at certain refreshment posts (please see the ‘Time Chart’ on the Course Overview page for details of which aid stations allow outside assistance). One support crew can only give this assistance, without specific equipment other than a bag with a maximum volume of 40 liters. The rest of the refreshment post is strictly reserved for the runners.
• Illegal parking or bad manners by a support crew and other persons (Runner will be penalized)

Disqualification or penalty will be applied if the above rules and prohibited matters are violated. The following are examples of disqualification or penalty. For cases not disclosed in examples, the organizer will determine disqualification or penalty for each case.

<Example of Disqualification>

• Departure from a check point after the cut-off time
• Missing items from the mandatory equipment necessary for the safety
• Receiving support from a support crew outside a designated area in AS
• Refusal to cooperate with the race staff such as disobeying an order and an instruction from the race staff
• Bad moral and manners for mountain climbing and hiking
• Destroying the natural environment. Intentionally passing the route that may harm the natural environment
• Lack of respect for local residents such as causing inconvenience and damages
• Malicious disciplinary violation
• Use of a means of transport during the race
• Significant shortcut to a course
• Failure to pass the aid stations
• Littering on the course intentionally
• Continuously violating the rules such as being accompanied by a guide runner along the route after a warning is given by a martial or an aid leader or violating the same rule at different locations

< Example of Penalty>

• Violating the rules such as being accompanied by a guide runner along the route and using a pole in a pole-prohibited section
• Turning off mobile phone or airplane mode
• Not wearing a bib in a designated position
• Unintentional slight shortcut due to the course lost
• Not carrying mandatory equipment not related to the safety such as a portable toilet kit

<Example of cases where the organizer determine disqualification or penalty>

• Losing IBUKI GPS tracking device or running out the battery

Runners must be equipped with appropriate wear, shoes, a backpack and the following mandatory equipment all through the race (Not in the drop bag).

A bib: each runner is provided with one bib
※The race-bib must be worn in the front of the tops completely visible during the whole race. It must always be placed on top of all clothing and must not be positioned on a leg or on the pack.

Mobile phone
※Download GPX files of the course and an offline map App for displaying GPX file in advance
※The runner must be reachable at any time before, during and after the race:
*Mobile phone with international roaming allowing for its use in JAPAN (load into its memory the organisation’s security numbers, don’t mask your number and don’t forget to start with the battery fully charged).
*Keep the phone on, airplane mode is prohibited and could result in the issue of a penalty.

GPS tracking device (IBUKI) (It will be distributed on the race day)

2 torches in good working order with spare cells/batteries for each torch

Mobile battery (for smartphone, torch)

Rain wear (Jacket with hood and trouser made of waterproof and breathable membrane for bad weather, the seams must be sealed.)

Warm long sleeve top (either a middle layer of non-cotton warming fabric weighing 180 g or more, or a base layer of non-cotton fabric weighing 110 g or more with long sleeves and a windbreaker)

Warm trousers or tights which cover the legs completely (a combination of tights and high socks covering whole legs are acceptable).

Warm hat (Head tube is acceptable)

Warm gloves covering whole fingers (non-slip grove are recommended as you need to holding on a chain at some locations.)

Food minimum of 800 kcal and Drink minimum of 1.5 L

Personal cup 150ml minimum, suitable for consuming hot drinks/soup (bottles or flasks with lids are not acceptable)

Survival blanket of 1.3 X 2m minimum

First aid kit (disinfection and taping)

Proof of accident insurance which covers rescue, hospitalization and treatment in Japan

Portable toilet kit

Bear bell

Flash light or reflective marker ( placed on the backpack or head to be seen from behind)

Emergency whistle

• Cash, Transport IC card
• Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Vaseline
• Change of clothes
• Poles
• GPS watch with navigation ( strongly recommended)
• Waterproof Gloves

Each runner can prepare one drop bag and one goal bag. (A big luggage like a suitcase is OK as a goal bag.) The laminated number cards should be attached on those bags. The laminated cards and one 40 liter waterproof drop bag will be provided at the bib distribution. The drop bag may be left at the race headquarters before starting.

Drop bag transported to the finish at Carmel Beach Club directly (Any kind of bags) Put the number tag on somewhere visible

Drop bag to be transported to the following three aid stations.（Use the 40 little waterproof bag given at the bib distribution）Put the number tag on the side handle of the bag

All items should be packed in a 40L waterproof bag provided by the organizer as a drop bag. The drop bag will be transported to the three aid stations and the finish line in the following order sequentially by the organizer.

※Please make sure to inform the aid staff if you do not return your drop bag to the event side, in such case of a support crew carries your drop bag from the middle of the race.

AS3 Yono Park（46.2km）⇒AS5 Tanakamieda Park（97ｋｍ）⇒AS8 Modoroki Shrine（149.6ｋｍ）⇒Finish area

The drop bags are transported in a large vehicle and a truck, so do not pack the items that may be damaged. Place a liquid such as gel in a plastic bag in case it is crushed and the contents leak. Do not put foods that are easily gone off. The organizer is not responsible for any damage to the items in the drop bag.

The following are examples of items which are expected to be packed in the drop bag.

• Food and beverages (drinks, gels, solid food, instant food)
• Spare clothes, winter clothes, rain wear, and shoes
• Emergency supplies, medications, towels (large and small), tissues, spare masks
• Mobile batteries, batteries and torch
• Clothing and sleeping bags in case of retirement (A retired runner needs to travel to the finish area by public transportation or pick-up car, but you may have to wait long time)

The organizers take out accident insurance in case of accidents, injuries, etc. of athletes. The participant must accept the following conditions when entering this race.

• The organizer shall not be liable for any damage or loss incurred by the Participants themselves or to a third party.
• The organizer shall not be liable for compensation beyond the insurance benefit limit of the insurance for accidents during the race. You may have to have a personal insurance that covers beyond the limit.
• The insurance is only for accidents, and search costs are not covered by insurance. Participants should be in possession of a personal accident insurance that covers the cost of search and rescue and evacuation in the mountains by themselves.
• The insurance coverage is as follows:

When the organizer judged that it is difficult to hold or continue the race due to the following reasons, the organizer will cancel, suspend, change course of the race:

• When Japanese public agency issues a special warning to the area where the race is held
• When the public agency issues a storm warning in mountaineering area
• When the public agency issues other equivalent warnings
• When the organizer judges that the safety of athletes cannot be secured, e.g., the collapse of the course, the cliff collapse, or the falling rock is not possible
• When it is difficult to hold the race safely due to road closures.
• When it is determined that the race cannot be held or continued by other causes.