Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail – Terms & Conditions

Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail
10K & 20K Trail Races

By entering the Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail, participants confirm that they have read, understood and agree to comply with these Terms & Conditions, the event rules and all reasonable instructions issued by the Race Director, event officials, marshals, medical personnel and emergency services.

1. PARTICIPATION

The Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail comprises two trail running events:

10K Trail Race – minimum age 16 on the day of the event.
20K Trail Race – minimum age 17 on the day of the event.

Participants must be sufficiently fit and capable of completing the distance they have entered within the published course cut-off.

The Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail is a challenging coastal trail event involving beaches, coastal paths, tracks, uneven ground, inclines and descents. Participants acknowledge that the nature of the course means that surfaces and conditions may vary and that they may encounter mud, sand, rocks, water, steep or uneven sections and other natural hazards.

All participants must accept the inherent risks associated with taking part in a trail running event and must take appropriate responsibility for their own safety.

By entering the event, participants confirm that they are physically capable of undertaking the distance entered and have prepared appropriately for the conditions that may reasonably be expected on the course.

2. EVENT ENTRY

Entry is subject to availability and the published entry limits:

10K – maximum 200 participants
20K – maximum 400 participants

Entries will close when the relevant race reaches its entry limit or at the time specified by the organiser.

Entry fees are non-refundable, except where the organiser is legally required to provide a refund.

An entry is personal to the participant named at the time of registration and may not be sold or transferred except through the official transfer process described below.

3. TRANSFERS

Participants may transfer their entry to another eligible participant up to one month before the event date.

All transfers must be authorised and processed in accordance with the organiser’s official transfer procedure.

The new participant must meet the applicable minimum age requirement and any other entry requirements for the distance being transferred.

Unauthorised sale, transfer or exchange of race entries is strictly prohibited.

Any participant found to be competing under another person’s race number or entry may be disqualified and may be prevented from participating in future events.

The organiser reserves the right to refuse a transfer where the required information has not been provided or where the transfer does not comply with these Terms & Conditions.

4. DEFERRALS

Deferral of an entry to the following year’s Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail may be permitted at the discretion of the Race Director.

The following deferral fees apply:

More than 3 months before the event: £5 administration fee.
Between 1 and 3 months before the event: £10 administration fee.
Within 1 month of the event: deferrals are not permitted.

A deferral request must be made through the organiser’s designated process and is not confirmed until approved by the organiser.

A deferred entry may only be transferred to the following year’s equivalent race distance unless otherwise agreed by the organiser.

Deferrals are subject to the event being held in the following year and to the terms and conditions applicable to that event.

5. RACE NUMBERS

Each participant will be allocated an official race number.

The race number is a personal identifier and must not be given, sold or transferred to another participant except through the official transfer process.

The race number must be worn as instructed by the organiser and must remain clearly visible throughout the event.

Participants must not alter, obscure or otherwise interfere with their race number or timing information.

No participant may take part without an officially issued race number.

6. EVENT RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS

All participants must comply with:

These Terms & Conditions.
The published event rules.
Applicable UK Athletics rules and regulations.
Instructions issued by the Race Director and event officials.
Instructions given by marshals, medical personnel, emergency services, landowners or other authorised personnel.

Failure to comply with reasonable instructions may result in disqualification and/or removal from the event.

The Race Director reserves the right to disqualify any participant whose behaviour is considered dangerous, abusive, threatening, unsportsmanlike or otherwise inappropriate.

7. COURSE AND TRAIL CONDITIONS

Participants acknowledge that the Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail is a trail running event and that the course may include:

Beaches and sand.
Coastal paths.
Uneven and rocky ground.
Mud and wet ground.
Steep or uneven inclines and descents.
Narrow paths.
Natural obstacles.
Areas affected by weather, erosion, tides or other environmental conditions.

Participants are responsible for exercising appropriate caution and adapting their pace and behaviour to the conditions.

Participants must remain on the designated and marked course at all times unless directed otherwise by an event official.

Deliberately shortening the course or leaving the designated route in order to gain an advantage is prohibited and may result in disqualification.

8. COURSE CUT-OFFS

The following maximum completion times apply:

10K: 2 hours.
20K: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Participants who are unable to complete the course within the relevant cut-off may be instructed to withdraw from the event.

Once a participant has been instructed to withdraw or has passed the applicable cut-off, the organiser cannot guarantee that marshals, aid/water stations, course signage, medical support or other event services will remain in place.

Participants should carefully consider their ability to complete the chosen distance within the published cut-off before entering.

9. STARTING THE EVENT

Participants must assemble at the designated start area at the time specified in the event information.

Participants must start within the official start period and cross the designated start timing point in order for their participation and time to be recorded correctly.

Late starts may not be permitted and may result in the participant being unable to take part.

The organiser reserves the right to stagger or alter start times where necessary for safety, environmental, operational or other legitimate reasons.

10. COURSE MONITORING AND FAIR PLAY

Participants must follow the marked course and must not deliberately shorten or alter their route.

Any participant found to have gained an unfair advantage by intentionally cutting the course may be disqualified.

Participants must not receive unauthorised assistance from spectators, friends, family members, support crews or other non-participants while competing.

No person who is not an official participant may accompany a participant around the course unless expressly authorised by the event management.

Participants must not obstruct, impede or endanger other participants.

11. HEADPHONES AND AUDIO DEVICES

In accordance with UK Athletics requirements and for participant safety, conventional headphones, earphones and earbuds that obstruct the participant’s ability to hear their surroundings are not permitted.

Bone-conducting headphones that leave the ears completely open and unobstructed are permitted.

The Race Director or event officials may require any participant to remove or stop using an audio device if they believe its use presents a safety risk.

12. PARTICIPANT CONDUCT

All participants are expected to behave respectfully towards other participants, event staff, volunteers, marshals, medical personnel, landowners and members of the public.

Abusive, threatening, offensive or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Participants must not:

Use offensive or abusive language towards other people.
Behave aggressively or threateningly.
Deliberately obstruct another participant.
Litter on the course.
Damage property or the environment.
Urinate or defecate in inappropriate public areas where toilet facilities are available.

Any participant breaching these requirements may be disqualified and/or removed from the event.

13. PARTICIPANT SAFETY

Participants are responsible for familiarising themselves with the course information, event instructions, signage and any safety information provided before or during the event.

Participants must take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others.

If a participant becomes unwell, injured or otherwise unable to safely continue, they must stop and notify a marshal or member of the event team as soon as possible.

Participants must follow all instructions issued by event medical personnel, marshals, emergency services and other authorised personnel.

14. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Authorised medical personnel may assess any participant who appears to be injured, unwell or in distress.

Where medical personnel determine that it is in the participant’s best interests, they may require the participant to withdraw from the event.

A participant who is instructed to withdraw by authorised medical personnel, the Race Director, an event official or emergency service must do so immediately.

Participants are responsible for providing accurate and relevant medical and emergency contact information through the event registration process.

Where emergency medical treatment is required, the participant authorises appropriate medical personnel and emergency services to take reasonable action in the interests of their health and safety.

15. WEATHER, EMERGENCIES AND COURSE CHANGES

The safety of participants, volunteers, officials and members of the public is the organiser’s priority.

The Race Director, in consultation with relevant event personnel, landowners, emergency services and other appropriate authorities, reserves the right to:

Delay the start.
Alter the course.
Shorten the course.
Change the start or finish location.
Suspend the event.
Stop the event.
Postpone the event.
Cancel the event.

This may occur where conditions or circumstances make the event unsafe or impractical, including but not limited to:

Severe or extreme weather.
High winds.
Heavy rain or flooding.
Coastal or tidal conditions.
Storms.
Fire.
Natural disasters.
Significant course damage or erosion.
Emergency incidents.
Road, path or land access restrictions.
Directions from emergency services or authorities.
Any other circumstance outside the reasonable control of the organiser.

Where reasonably possible, participants will be informed of significant changes before or during the event.

16. CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT BY THE ORGANISER

Where the event is cancelled or postponed due to circumstances outside the reasonable control of the organiser, the organiser will communicate the arrangements to participants as soon as reasonably practicable.

Where an alternative event date is provided, participants may be offered the opportunity to transfer their entry to the rearranged event or to the following year’s event, subject to the arrangements communicated by the organiser.

Where the event cannot reasonably be rearranged, the organiser will determine the appropriate arrangements having regard to the circumstances and its legal obligations.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or restrict any rights participants may have under applicable consumer law.

17. TIMING AND RESULTS

All participants will be provided with an official timing device or timing method as determined by the organiser.

Participants must use the timing device as instructed.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that their timing device remains correctly attached and functional throughout the race.

Official results will be determined in accordance with the event’s published timing and competition procedures.

Participants who fail to cross the designated timing points, fail to complete the official course or otherwise breach the event rules may not receive an official finishing time.

The organiser cannot guarantee a finishing time where a participant fails to use the timing system correctly or where circumstances outside the organiser’s reasonable control affect the timing system.

18. DISQUALIFICATION

The Race Director and authorised event officials may disqualify a participant for:

Failing to follow the marked course.
Deliberately shortening the course.
Using an unauthorised race number.
Participating under another person’s entry.
Failing to follow instructions from event officials.
Receiving unauthorised assistance.
Dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct.
Abusive or threatening behaviour.
Breaching these Terms & Conditions or applicable race rules.
Any other conduct that the Race Director reasonably considers to compromise the safety, fairness or integrity of the event.

A disqualified participant may be removed from the official results and may be prevented from participating in future events.

19. PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND MARKETING

By participating in the Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail, participants acknowledge that photography, video and other recordings may be taken during the event.

Participants grant the organiser permission to use photographs and video footage in which they appear for legitimate purposes relating to the promotion, marketing and reporting of the Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail, Abersoch Triple Crown and associated events and activities.

This may include use on websites, social media, advertising, promotional material, digital content and other media.

20. LIABILITY AND INSURANCE

Participation in the Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail carries inherent risks associated with running in a coastal and natural environment.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are adequately prepared and appropriately equipped for the event.

The organiser will take reasonable steps to organise and deliver the event safely and in accordance with applicable requirements.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

Participants should ensure that they have appropriate personal insurance where they consider this necessary.

21. ENVIRONMENT AND LITTER

The Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail takes place in an environmentally sensitive coastal area.

Participants must respect the environment, local communities, landowners and other users of the course.

Littering is strictly prohibited.

Any gels, food packaging, bottles or other items carried by participants must be disposed of in designated areas or carried to the finish.

Participants who deliberately litter may be disqualified.

22. DATA AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Personal information provided during registration will be processed in accordance with the organiser’s applicable privacy policy.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that the information provided during registration is accurate and up to date.

Emergency contact and relevant participant information may be shared with appropriate event staff or medical personnel where reasonably necessary for the safe operation of the event.

23. CHANGES TO EVENT RULES

The organiser reserves the right to make reasonable amendments to the event rules, course arrangements, timings and operational procedures where necessary for safety, legal, environmental or operational reasons.

Any significant changes affecting participants will be communicated through the event website, participant communications or other appropriate channels where reasonably practicable.

Participants are responsible for checking the event website and communications for important updates before attending the event.

24. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By completing an entry for the Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail, the participant confirms that:

They have read and understood these Terms & Conditions.
They meet the minimum age requirement for their chosen distance.
They understand the nature and risks associated with the event.
They agree to follow the event rules and instructions.
They understand the applicable transfer and deferral policies.
They accept that the course and event arrangements may need to change for safety or other legitimate reasons.
They agree to participate responsibly and respectfully.

These Terms & Conditions apply to both the Dioni Abersoch Coast Trail 10K and 20K unless otherwise stated.