Regulations MELINDRA TRAIL 2024
1. TERMS
In the below listed regulations the words noted refer to specific terms:
- RACE, for the Melindra Trail
- ATHLETES, PARTICIPANTS, for the participants of the Melindra Trail, those who are legally registered and participate in the race
- ORGANIZERS, for the Board of the Olympus Marathon
- COMMITTEE, for the Organization Committee of Olympus Marathon.
2. ORGANIZERS
In collaboration with the Municipality of Dion-Olympos and Pieria Regional Unit of Central Macedonia organize the 5th edition of Melindra Trail, the international trail running race on Mount Olympus on Sunday June 30, 2024.
3. GENERAL INFORMATION
Melindra Trail is a mountain running race on Mount Olympus, which has a distance of 5km and elevation gain of +180m. The race takes place on the last Sunday of June every year with start and finish in Litochoro, has a relatively easy route and is ideal for those who want to make the first acquaintance with mountain running.
Time limit: 2 hours.
4. PARTICIPATION
Men and women over the age of 12 are eligible to participate in the race (for ages 12-18 will need the consent of their parents).
5. REGISTRATION
Registration opens on January 28 and will close on June 15, 2024.
Only individual registrations are possible.
Athletes must provide their personal data as well as the short athletic CV.
The registration is completed if the payment procedure is done.
Participation fee:
January 28 – February 11: 7euro
February 12 – May 9: 10euro
May 10 – June 15: 15euro
Participation fee is to be paid during the registration period only online by credit or debit card exclusively and includes:
- race BIB
- athlete pack
- first assistance during the race and at the finish line
- medals for valid finishers
6. CANCELLATION POLICY
If an athlete cannot participate in the race, he/she must inform the organizers by email at the following address: info@olympus-marathon.com
In case of cancellation of the participation the registration fee will not be refunded.
Should the race be interrupted or annulled due to weather conditions, or for any other reason beyond the control of the Organizers, no refund of the registration fee will be made.
It is not possible to exchange race BIB number, to postpone the registration to the following year, to switch from one race to another.
Athletes caught with race BIBs belonging to other athletes, even after the race, will be disqualified.
7. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Athletes are not obliged to present a medical certificate for good health condition. However, the participants themselves should be fully aware of their competence to enter such a race as Melindra Trail. It must be clear that by submitting an application, one takes full responsibility for anything might happen, during or after the race.
8. MAXIMUM TIME LIMIT. WITHDRAWING FROM THE RACE (DNF)
The maximum time allowed for an athlete to reach the finish line is 2 hours.
Athletes who reach the finish out the time limit will be disqualified (DSQ).
The "pick up" service will follow the last runner, in order to help the athletes who leave the race and to provide help for anyone who is injured or needs help.
There are no cut-off points in the race.
In order to ensure the health of the participants, the medical representatives of the event at the checkpoints have the power to prevent runners who are deemed unfit to continue the race. Race officials reserve the right to exclude athletes who do not respect the rules.
In case of abandonment (DNF), the athletes must be informed by the "pick-up" and will have to move back to Litochoro on foot on their own.
Any athlete who leaves the race at any point other than the designated checkpoints should return to Litochoro and immediately inform the Organizers of the race.
9. COLLECTION OF THE RACE BIB NUMBER AND RACE PACK
Race numbers and race packs distribution take place at the Municipal Park of Litochoro where Olympus Marathon EXPO Area is. Detailed program will be announced later.
To collect race bib numbers, athletes must present a valid identity document.
The reception of BIB numbers of the race and packages of the athletes is only possible during the working hours of the BIBs distribution.
BIB numbers should be worn by all participants unchanged only on the front of their jersey and should not be folded or cut.
The BIB number must be worn by the person registered for the race.
In case the participant will not take part in the race the Organization will send the athlete package (to the address stated in the registration form) after the end of the event.
10. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
To address all the different possible climatic conditions on the day of the race, at their sole discretion and on the basis of the weather forecast provided by the competent body, the Organizers may modify the list of mandatory equipment. Any changes may be communicated up to 12 hours before the start of the race, therefore all athletes are advised to have all the mandatory equipment.
Athletes must have the following equipment with them for the entire duration of the race:
- race bib number visible during the entire duration of the race
- footwear appropriate for running on Mount Olympus terrain (stones, rocks, gravel)
The use of trekking poles is allowed.
11. REFRESHMENT STATIONS
There are no refreshment stations.
Any special dietary requirements must be met by athletes independently.
12. START OF THE RACE
Athletes must be in the start line in the Park of Litochoro by 09:45 am on Sunday June 30, 2024.
The race starts at 10:00 am.
13. RACE ROUTE
The detailed description of the race route is performed in the section “route”.
The route is divided into paths, gravel road and asphalt.
The marking of the route will be dense with coloured strips, paint (short duration) in bright colours (ONLY WITHIN THE TOWN AND IN ASPHALT PLACES) and small signs that will have the logo of the race.
The athletes are obliged to move along the trail without forming groups that extend in width, preventing others that would like to overpass.
In case of emergency (especially dangerous weather conditions) the Organizers maintain the right to modify the route, so that no athlete will be exposed at risk. Alternative routes will be outlined at the briefing before the start of the race.
Race kilometres are not marked. Athletes should strictly adhere to the marked race route and avoid taking shortcuts or cutting out sections of the route. Any departures from the official route will lead to disqualification and shall be at the sole risk of athletes.
14. SAFETY
The Organizers in cooperation with the Volunteers Samaritans and Rescue team will be positioned along the race route. Ambulances with paramedics shall be positioned at the finish in the stand-by mode, where a doctor and an advanced medical facility shall be present.
15. ENVIRONMENT
The race takes place in the protected National Park area with the natural eco system. Due to its outstanding natural and cultural importance, Olympus was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 1981 with its inclusion in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program (MAB). Participants are therefore required to fully respect the mountain environment, in particular by not leaving rubbish, picking flowers or disturbing the wildlife. Anyone found leaving rubbish along the route shall be disqualified from the race and incur the penalties laid down by municipal regulations.
16. WEATHER
In case of adverse weather conditions (dense fog, heavy rain or thunder storms), the Organizers reserve the right to make last-minute changes, even during the race, to the race route in order to eliminate potential hazards or conditions that could cause hardship for participants. The participants will be informed by the Organizers of any changes. The Organizers also reserve the right to suspend or cancel the race if the weather conditions are such that they put athletes, staff, volunteers or medical teams at risk.
17. DISQUALIFICATION, PENALTIES, APPEALS AND OBJECTIONS. RACE RESULTS.
The following infringements will lead to immediate disqualification and withdrawal of the race bib number:
● taking shortcuts
● losing the bib number
● leaving rubbish along the race route
● failing to aid a participant in difficulty
● use of transport during the race
● insulting or threatening staff or volunteers
Penalty or Disqualification (DSQ) may be applied as soon as the offense is established, at the end of the match or after the cross-examination of the evidence, but later until the announcement of the official results.
Appeals will be evaluated and answered in the necessary time, decisions are final, without appeal.
Objections, regardless of the reason, are submitted only by the athlete within 24 hours after the end of the match. The decision of the Committee is issued no later than the announcement of the official results and cannot be disputed.
The unofficial results will be available within 24 hours of the end of the match. The ranking of the athletes will be based on gun time.
The official results are announced on the website of the organization.
18. AWARDS
A remembrance medal is awarded only to the athletes that crossed the finish line within the set race time limit of 2 hours.
The first 3 men and 3 women of general ranking will receive the winner’s cups.
There are no age categories in the race.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 30 at 14:30 in the Park of Litochoro (at the finish area).
Under no circumstances will prizes be sent or handed out in advance.
19. IMAGE RIGHTS
On registration, athletes authorise the Organizers to freely use any still or moving images depicting them during their participation in Olympus Marathon races with no territorial or time limits.
20. WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY
Voluntary registration and subsequent participation in the race indicate full acceptance of the race rules and regulations and any subsequent changes made to them. By registering, participants exempt the Organizers from any civil or criminal liability for damage to persons and/or property caused by or to them.
Update: January 2024