Valleys 100 - Rules for the Main Event

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Index

The Event:

The aim is to complete, on foot, a defined route of 100 miles within a maximum of 48 hours starting
at 10am or 2pm on Saturday 24th May 2014. Entrants may use either of the start times, except that
runners should start at 2pm.

Start:

• West Monmouth School, Blaendare Road, Pontypool, NP4 5YG GR SO 283 002.
• Free car parking is provided.

Number of Entrants:

• The registration period for the Valleys 100 opens on Monday 14th October 2013 and closes on Friday
  29th November 2013. If more than 550 entries are received by 29th November 2013 entrants will be
  selected by means of a ballot.
• At the time of the ballot LDWA members who have completed a qualifier will take precedence over
  non-LDWA members.
• LDWA membership is defined as membership initially as on Tuesday 1st January 2013.
• Then LDWA members joined between 1st January 2013 and Monday 14th October 2013.
• If two or more entrants wish to be included or excluded together in the event of a ballot, then the
  entries should be sent in the same envelope with a statement to that effect attached (or if entering
  online added as multiple entries).
• Entrants in all categories not successful in the ballot will be placed on a reserve list in the order in
  which they are drawn out in the ballot.
• Those successful in the ballot will be notified and will be required to send payment by Thursday 19th
  December 2013. If payment is not received by this date, then, if there is a waiting list, the entry will
  be cancelled and the place offered to a person on the waiting list.
• Notice of non-acceptance will be sent after 3rd December 2013.
• If fewer than 550 entries are received by 30th November 2013 all entries will be accepted (subject to
  conditions of entry) and the remaining places filled on a first come first served basis irrespective of
  LDWA membership. The final closing date for entries will be Monday 28th April 2014.

Cost:

• The entry fee is £60.00 for LDWA members and £80.00 for non-LDWA members.
• Payment will be made either by the online event SPORTIDENT page or cheque (which should be
  made payable to “Valleys 100”)
• The entry fee includes all refreshments provided during the event including a meal at the breakfast
  checkpoint, transport for retirements, a meal at the finish, a certificate for all starters and a badge
  for all finishers. Transport of entrants’ own food to checkpoints for those with special dietary
  requirements is included in the cost provided the food is supplied and labelled with their name,
  walk number and checkpoint number to be delivered to, and the organisers are notified in advance.
• It also includes production of the event report and results which will be published on the event
  website soon after the event.
• There will be a range of other merchandise available at extra cost.
• Entries will be acknowledged via email.
• If entrants do not use email, then entries / payment will NOT be acknowledged unless a stamped
  self-addressed postcard or sealed envelope marked “Entry Received” or “Payment Received” is
  forwarded with the entry. The SAE’s will be posted on the 29th November 2013 once it is known
  that an applicant has either been accepted on the event or not. (subject to the ballot)

Conditions Of Entry:

All entrants must:

• Be aged 18 years or over on the 24th May 2014.
• Must finish by 10am on Monday 26th May 2014.
• Checkpoint opening and closing times will be clearly posted in the route description and will be
  enforced – be aware of these when choosing your starting time.
• Have the skills to navigate and read a map.
• Provide evidence of having completed an event of at least 50 miles, or completion of 50 miles of an
  event of longer than 50 miles, after 1st January 2013. If entering by post this can be a photocopy of
  a certificate or results sheet. If entering online, this can be a link to an event website results page.
• Conditional entry on the basis that a qualifying event will be completed in the future will not suffice.
  Entries will only be accepted when evidence is produced that a qualifying event has already been
  completed.
• Be aware acceptance of an event not included in the list of qualifying events shown on the event
  website will be at the discretion of the organising committee. However the event should enable the
  entrant to display the necessary stamina and fitness and navigate the required distance including
  during the hours of darkness.
• Have completed an official entry form (or copy) with one person per form OR entered online via the
  event SPORTIDENT page.
• Have paid the required entry fee.
• Agree to comply with the event rules.

Kit required:

Please note that the Valleys 100 route is an exposed route, and in bad weather will become very testing. The
kit that is required below is the bare minimum expected. You can expect to be subject to a kit check at some
point during the event.

• Route Description.
• Maps as specified below.
• A full set of waterproofs.
• Sweater/fleece.
• Trousers to be carried if shorts are worn.
• Compass and whistle.
• A working torch with spare batteries and bulb if not an LED device.
• Adequate survival bag. Space blankets are NOT accepted.
• First Aid kit, which at a minimum must include plasters, adhesive dressing, antiseptic wipes, fixation
  tape and low adherent dressing.
• A cup or mug (none will be provided on route)
• Emergency food and drink.
• Suitable footwear in good condition to be worn.
• Reflective clothing or reflective markers on rucksacks/backpacks. These must be visible when walking
  at night.
• Money/Debit/Credit card or mobile phone for emergency use.

Maps Required:

• OS 1:25,000 Explorer 152, 166 & OL13 or
• OS 1:50,000 Landranger 161, 170 & 171 or
  NB – Both the above list of maps can be bought cheaper as a bulk option from http://www.dash4it.co.uk
• Bespoke Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 map centred on post code NP24 6AY which can be obtained from
  http://www.shop.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk/oscustommade
• Computer-generated versions of these maps printed in colour at a scale of not less than 1:50,000,
  waterproof and covering at least 1 mile either side of the route will be acceptable or
• Maps in electronic format will also be allowed provided durability and adequate power supply can be
  demonstrated if requested by a marshal.

Baggage:

• A baggage service is included. A single small bag marked with your walk number should be deposited
  in the area provided at West Monmouth Comprehensive School, and will be transported to the
  breakfast stop at Tredegar. It will then be taken back to West Monmouth Comprehensive School for
  collection at the finish. You undertake not to leave cash or valuables (e.g. mobiles/GPS) in it.
• A numbered tag will be supplied which should be secured to your breakfast stop baggage.
• Please keep the size and weight of your bags within a maximum permitted size 22” x 18”x 10” and
  maximum weight 13lbs.
• Your bags will be weighed and measured and bags exceeding this size or weight will not be
  transported. No plastic sacks or bin liners will be accepted, nor items other than those wholly
  contained within the bag. This includes walking poles.
• A bag of reasonable size and weight can be left at West Monmouth Comprehensive School over the
  weekend for use at the end of the event. This should be deposited at the same time as the breakfast bag.
  A numbered tag will be supplied which should be attached to this bag.
• All bags must be collected by 11.00am on Monday 26th May 2014.

Conduct of the Event:

• Throughout the event each entrant must follow the route description provided including any late
  changes notified at the start or en route by marshals, and get their time recorded and tally punched
  at each checkpoint, including any self-clip.
• Pass through checkpoints in order. In the event that they deviate from the route they must get back
  on route by the shortest practical means without trespassing on private property. (Deliberate
  deviation from the route to gain advantage will result in disqualification)
• Complete the event exclusively on foot unless for safety reasons on a marshal’s instructions.
• Comply with the Countryside Code and do nothing to bring LDWA into disrepute.
• Be especially quiet at night, in particular whilst near residential property.
• Obey directions given to them by marshals, and hand in their tally and retire from the event if so
  directed by a marshal.
• The organisers reserve the right to vary the route for any reason such as adverse conditions or road
  closures, in which case entrants will be informed of the variations by marshals.
• Marshals shall be entitled to group entrants for reasons of safety, for example during adverse
  conditions.
• No dogs are permitted on the event.

Retirements:

• Retiring entrants should hand in their tally card at a checkpoint and wait for transport to be arranged
  to Pontypool. In an emergency, if retiring entrants cannot reach a checkpoint they should pass their
  tally to another person to hand in, or call the emergency telephone number. Under no circumstances
  should anyone retire from the event without ensuring the organisers are informed. Checkpoint
  marshals shall be entitled to retire entrants who in their opinion are behind schedule or who appear
  to show signs of distress going beyond normal fatigue or to require medical attention. However they
  have no obligation to do so, and entrants must not rely on checkpoint marshals as to the state of
  their own fitness.
• No entrant shall be allowed in a checkpoint other than during the official opening times of the
  checkpoint. These times will be displayed on the event web site and in the route description.
• Any entrant arriving at a checkpoint after that checkpoint has closed will be retired.
• Checkpoint marshals will retire any entrant remaining at a checkpoint for more than 2 hours.
• In all matters connected with the event the decision of the organisers is final. At checkpoints the
  decision of the marshals is final.

Recceing the Event:

Accepted entrants who wish to recce the event should please note that the route may be subject to
alteration and that some of the route crosses private land or land that has restrictions on access.
Permission is required for organised groups to cross this land and such permission has been granted at the
required times during the event only. Any person who is identified as trespassing on land where access has
been negotiated for the duration of the event only, may be subject to disqualification.

Cancellation & Withdrawal:

• The event is organised by unpaid volunteers who have made reasonable endeavours to organise
  the event.
• If the event is cancelled for any reason we will do our best to contact you before you start your
  journey, using the contact details that you have provided to us. We will also put a notice on our
  website and we ask you to check this before you depart. Cancellation of the event will be at the
  discretion of the organisers and your entry fee will be refunded less a proportional amount for costs
  incurred etc.
• If you withdraw your entry on or before 31st March 2014 we will refund your fee, less £5 for
  administration. There will be no refund if you withdraw after 31st March 2014.

Privacy, Data Protection & Personal Information:

• For operational and safety reasons we need to store your personal information on a computer. This
  is a pre-condition of entry and by signing the entry form you agree to this storage. This information
  will be held by the teams helping to plan and run the event and will be erased after the report and
  results have been published.
• You should however be aware that the LDWA maintains a Hundred Database held on the hard drive
  of a personal computer of the Keeper of the Database. This database is also stored on a re-writable
  disk. The Hundreds Database contains names, gender, local group, age (where declared on entry
  forms), number of Hundreds started and finished, and years and times. It does not include
  addresses or telephone numbers.
• If you do not want your name to appear on the Entry List, the Results List or you do not want your
  personal details to be stored on the Hundreds Database, then please enter via post ONLY and tick
  the appropriate boxes on the Entry Form