Regulations

The event is organised by Asociatia Club Sportiv 2X2 Race, from Sibiu, Romania.

2X2 RACE seeks to promote mountain running in Romania, using established and marked trails from the Fagaras Mountains.

2X2 RACE offers the participants the option to take part in one of the following events: 2X2 or X2. Each event is allocated only one running session, with assigned time frames that define the maximum amount of time allocated to the event.

2X2 RACE has a length of 46 km, with a positive altitude difference of 4200m. The event is open only to the runners meeting minimimum requirements that are accepted by the organizers.

X2 RACE has a length of approximately 18 km, with a positive altitude difference of 1800m. The event is open only to the runners meeting minimimum requirements that are accepted by the organisers.

2X2 (44km)

In order to register for 2X2, you must have

• finished 2X2 in the previous year

or

• be a finisher in the first half of the results list of a mountain race of at least 35km length and 1500m positive altitude gain, 18 months or less before the start of 2X2.

X2 (18km)

In order to register for X2 RACE you must have

• finished 2X2 or X2 in the previous year

or

• be a finisher of a mountain race of at least 15km length and 1000m positive altitude gain, 18 months or less before the start of X2.

Both the 2X2 and X2 trails follow marked but unprotected mountain trails, which include very steep slopes and accidental areas, as well as alpine sections (they follow peaks, passageways, valleys, boulders and alpine grasslands). The race thus requires:

• detailed knowledge and experience of mountain trails;
• the ability to follow a difficult mountain trail including via ferrata;
• a strong ability to orientate on a mountain trail, especially in low visibility conditions;
• a strong ability to orientate on a mountain trail, especially in low visibility conditions;
• the ability to read and use a map, correlating all the information previously acquired about the trails;
• good knowledge of the rules in case of danger or emergency while on a mountain trail;
• fair-play and understating of the fact that, regardless of the amount of safety measures taken by the organisers, not all risks can be estimated and covered, given the difficult race conditions.
• no sportive achievement stands above the health or the life of the runner and / or that of other competitors. The participants are thus required to act accordingly when they recognize a dangerous situation.

In order to participate, it is essential for each of the competitors:

• to acquire previous knowledge on the length and character of the race and prepare himself / herself accordingly;
• to have a strong autonomy and ability to respond individually to any problems that may arise during such a race. The competitors should be prepared to cope without any further help with darkness or any difficult meteorological conditions that may arise during the race, given the high altitude (wind, dense fog, rain or snow);
• should be able to manage, even when isolated and / or without immediate help options, the physical and psychological problems resulting from extreme fatigue, digestive problems, muscle, joint or bone pain, low food supplies;
• to understand and accept that helping a competitor overcome these issues does not lie within the responsibilities of the organisers and that for such mountain activities, security strongly depends on the competitors’ ability to adapt to any foreseen and unforeseen issues.

In order to take part in any of the three events from 2X2 RACE, a competitor should be at least 18 years old.

All events are open to competitors of any gender.

The organisers reserve the right to refuse admission into the race, as well as the right to offer wild-cards.

The competitors must adhere to the rules of the race and must declare that they take full responsibility for their own physical and psychological welfare throughout the race. The organisers are not to be held responsible for any accidents or events that may arise during the race. The organisers are not to be held responsible for any meteorological conditions.

The participation fee will not be returned if the competition is cancelled or postponed given unforeseen, difficult meteorological conditions. At the same time, the participation fee will not be returned if the competitor abandons the race, is disqualified or does not attend the race.

All the events of the 2X2 RACE are based on the principle of autonomy: the competitors must have the capacity adapt the any problems that may arise during the race and to ensure food, hydration, equipment and take care of themselves throughout the event.
This principle implies the following rules:

• the competitors bear the whole responsibility for providing themselves with enough food and water supplies to complete the race;
• the competitors must have all necessary equipment throughout the race (see section EQUIPMENT);
• the equipment cannot be changed during the race;
• the organisers can check the equipment at any time and point during the race and the competitors must accept this fact, otherwise bearing the risk of being disqualified;
• the hydration / supply points offer food and hydration supplies within a dedicated space ( checkpoints 2X2 Race or X2 Race);
• from these points, the competitors can take still water to fill in their cans or any portable containers;
• the hydration / supply points offer food and hydration supplies within a dedicated space;
• personal assistance is only allowed within dedicated areas, based on the approval of the organisers;
• personal assistance is limited to one person per competitor and it is forbidden to transfer any part of the equipment of food supplies from the assistant to the competitor, except for still water;
• professional assistance (team, trainer, doctor, physiotherapist, etc.) is forbidden;
• no other kind of assistance, except for that mentioned above, is allowed throughout the race;
• it is forbidden to complete parts of the race together with persons who are nor registered competitors, except for the dedicated personal assistance areas, as indicated by the organisers.

In order to increase the safety of the competitors and avoid bottlenecks on the trails, the organisers defined a maxim number of competitors for all of the events:

• 2X2 RACE: 200
• X2 RACE: 200

The application process is conducted online via www.2x2race.com / Registration section.
The participation fee will be paid via bank transfer.

• The participation fee for 2X2 RACE is 150 lei (approx. 35 EUR)
• The participation fee for X2 RACE is 150 lei (approx. 35 EUR)

The participation fee is used entirely to cover the expenses of the race (including prizes, organising of the start / finish area, hydration / supply points, promotional materials, diplomas, medals and trophies, start kits), as well as those concerning the cleaning, repair and rehabilitation process of the area after the event.

Completing the application process assumes a firm engagement from the competitor. The registration process does not allow the competitor to change the event he / she subscribed for, once the participation fee is paid.

Below you have the list of mandatory and recommended equipment required to take part in the 2X2 RACE or X2 RACE. The list contains the minimal equipment and the reason it is mandatory. The recommended equipment can become mandatory at any time and it will be announced during the technical meetings.

In order to participate, all competitors must wear or carry, without exception, all the listed mandatory equipment. It will be checked at the START area. You can validate your equipment at the race kit pick-up.

Any missing mandatory equipment can lead to disqualification. If you start with trekking poles, you are required to finish with them.

– required

– recommended

EQUIPMENT	2X2	X2
mobile phone
waterproof jacket (hood recommended)
thermal blanket
headlamp
thermal insulation clothing (thermoshell)
waterproof pants
warm hat
wrag or tubular
walking sticks
backpack and vest
drinking containers and/or hydration packs
sunscreen cream or lotion
electrolytes and/or mineral salts
energy food
sunglasses
first-aid kit
swiss knife

The competitors bear the whole responsibility for providing themselves with enough food and hydration supplies to complete the race. The organisers will set food and hydration points.( Map 2X2 or Map X2).
There are water springs throughout the trails but the organisers recommend the competitors to bring their own water supplies along.

Any exterior help is forbidden. There is a dedicated space in the hydration / supply point where the competitors can receive personal assistance but no supplies of beverages can be transferred from the supporters or spectators to the competitors. The personal assistance space will be defined and marked by the organisers.

All the events included in the 2X2 RACE are organised with the approval and collaboration the Mountain Police and Mountain Rescue Services of both Sibiu and Argeș counties. All the routes will be overseen by members of the Mountain Rescue Service, seeking to identify any potentially dangerous situations and act accordingly. The competitors must obey without any complains all the recommendations and decisions taken by the representatives of the Mountain Rescue Service, otherwise bearing the risk of being disqualified.

Additional information will be offered during the last technical meeting.

• 2X2 RACE will start at 06:00am (GMT+2).
• X2 RACE will start at 07:00am (GMT+2).

In order to increase the safety of the competitors, the organisers assigned a series of time frames to reach the above-mentioned check points. They are calculated from the start of the race and are compulsory. Those for do not reach the check points in the assigned time frame are disqualified and must return to the start point (Bâlea Lac).

TIME LIMITS FOR 2X2 RACE

• CP6 – X1 Vf Moldoveanu: 4h
• CP11 – Șaua Capra: 8h
• CP13 – Lacul Caltun: 10h
• CP15 – X2 Vf Negoiu: 11h
• Finish – Bâlea Lac: 14h

TIME LIMITS FOR X2 RACE

• CP2 – X2 Vf Negoiu: 5h
• Finish – Bâlea Lac: 10h

Time penalties will be added to the final result of the competitor, if the rules are disregarded. Contestations can be submitted within one hour from the total time frame assigned to the race. In order to register the contestation a 300 lei guarantee is perceived. The total amount of money will be returned if the contestation is admitted. The contestations are analysed and admitted / rejected by a committee including the following three members: 1 organiser, 1 member of the Mountain Rescue Service and 1 competitor assigned to the Committee before the start of the race.

The penalties are as follows:

• Lack of compulsory equipment: disqualification
• Disrespect of the decisions of the organisers or those of the members of the Mountain Rescue Service: disqualification
• Not allowing the organisers to check the equipment: disqualification
• Changing the competition number: disqualification
• Not respecting the chosen track / following shortcuts: 1hr or disqualification
• Receiving help from external persons: 1hr or disqualification
• Receiving equipment from external persons: 1hr or disqualification
• Receiving food or water supplied from external persons: 1hr or disqualification
• Throwing away garbage: 1hr or disqualification
• Not respecting the other competitors / the organisers / the environment: 1hr or disqualification
• Not offering help to other competitors in difficult / dangerous situations: 1hr or disqualification
• Using trekking sticks when they were not included in the start equipment: 1hr or disqualification
• Dangerous attitude and behaviour: 1/4hr hr to 1hr
• Not displaying the number in a proper manner: 1/4hr
• Benefiting of personal assistance, outside the designed areas marked by the organisers: 1/4hr to 1hr

PHOTOS, FILMS AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Before, during and after the race the organisers can take photos with the competitora and / or the spectators of the event. By taking part in the events associated to the 2X2 RACE the implicitly express their approval that such materials can be used by the organisers for video clips, photo montages, covers and / or any other materials in order to promote the competition and the area of Bâlea Lac.

The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any participant that does not respect the rules stated above.

Any competitor who, regardless of the reason, cannot, or no longer wants to continue the race must inform the organisers at the check point, at the start point or at any of the emergency phone numbers mentioned on the map. The competitors will confirm their withdrawal from the race by signing and submitting the competition form at the closest check point to their abandonment / withdrawal spot.