Rules and Regulations / 규정과 규칙

Rules and Regulations

Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum is run under the following rules and regulations

The race distances are 1.9km swim, 90km bike, and 21km run for Middle Distance and 3.8km swim, 180km bike, and 42km run for Long Distance.

• At all times competitors must obey the instructions of Race officials and Police Officers and beware of vehicular transport. Any competitor who fails to obey the instructions of Race officials or the Police will be removed from the Event and disqualified. The Event Director and Race Referee have the discretion to disqualify competitors.
• Please obey all traffic laws and regulations at all times and treat all parts of the course as open to the public and vehicles at all times. While some parts of the course may be closed to public access, residential, emergency and Event vehicles will be using the course, and all road rules and regulations must therefore be followed at all times. Left hand drive rules apply.
• Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum is an invitation event, and the Event organizers may refuse entry to any competitor, on any grounds, and at their own discretion without explanation.
• No team member changes are permitted after April 30, 2024.
• The Event Medical Team will have ultimate discretion and the final decision as to the suitability of a competitor to continue in the Event, and likewise if they should be withdrawn from the Event.
• No competitor may use any banned substances with the intent to improve their performance, eliminate the sense of fatigue or for any other purpose. Doping tests will be performed.
• It is important that all competitors exhibit good behavior and sportsmanlike conduct, and treat fellow competitors, Event organizers, volunteers and contractors with courtesy and respect. Failure to do so may result in disqualification at any time before, during or after the Event.
• If a competitor withdraws from the Event they must advise the course officials of their withdrawal immediately. Any competitor failing to do so and being the subject of a resulting search and rescue operation will incur all costs relating to this exercise if they are found to be in their accommodation or other such safe place.
• Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum reserves the right to alter rules, regulations, Event course and venues at any time provided athletes are advised prior to the Event, or if such a change is in the interest of competitor safety.
• No headphones or headsets may be worn during swim, bike or run legs of the event. The Event organizers and Officials reserve the right to remove the MP3 player in the interest of safety.
• Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum competitors may not compete with a bare torso during the bike or run legs.
• Each competitor must be familiar with the entire course and it is their responsibility to follow the correct route.
• Any protests to disqualifications must be lodged with the Race Referee within two hours of the athlete finishing the Event or within two hours of their disqualification (if relevant) and must be accompanied by a US $50 lodgment fee. If their protest is upheld, the US $50 will be refunded in full. If the protest is not upheld, the fee will be forfeited.
• In the case of bad weather, Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum reserves the right to convert the Event to duathlon status in the interests of competitor safety but will not be held liable for any loss as a result of such a decision. If the conditions are still deemed to be unsafe to run a duathlon, Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum has sole discretion, and may cancel the Event without obligation to refund entry fees.
• Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum may test any athlete for the use of a prohibited substance at its own discretion. A positive test will result in disqualification.
• Prize money shall not be paid out until all drug-testing results are confirmed.
• Prize money applies to individual Pro Men’s and individual Pro Women’s fields racing Challenge Gunsan-Saemangeum only. There is no age rule based on times but prize money will be paid according to overall race position. Athletes must provide proof of their professional status to be eligible for prize money.
• Age Group categories will be in 5 year increments and must have at least 10 entrants to qualify as a category. Trophies will be awarded to the top three in each age group so long as they are an official category.
• Individual athletes must be a minimum of 18 years old on race day.
• Team athletes must be a minimum of 18 years old on race day.
• Provided race numbers must be visible at all times throughout the race.
• All athletes must register during the allocated times and attend the compulsory race briefing. All individuals and teams must rack their bicycles during the allocated times – there will be no exceptions to this rule. The Event organizers reserve the right to disqualify anyone not adhering to these rules.

Refund Policy

• A 30% cancellation fee will be incurred if you withdraw up until 5 pm on 31 Jan. 2024.
• A 50% cancellation fee will be incurred if you withdraw up until 5 pm 28 Feb. 2024.
• A 80% cancellation fee will be incurred if you withdraw up until 5 pm 31 Mar. 2024.
• No refunds will be offered after 5 pm on 31 Mar. 2024.
• Active.com fee is not refundable.

Race course Cut-off Time

• Long distance (226km) Swim-09:00, Bike-16:30, Run-23:00

Swim Rules

• Compulsory gear includes swim cap (cap provided). The possibility to use a wetsuit will be communicated at the Race briefing subject to the water conditions, temperature and swim.
• Course/distance (at the Event organizer’s absolute discretion).
• No fins, paddles, snorkels, flotation devices of any kind are permitted.
• Swim goggles or face masks may be worn.
• Any assistance required during swim may result in disqualification.
• Event organizers have the right to change the location of the swim course, the distance of the swim course or cancel the swim course (at their absolute discretion) taking into account the weather and water temperature conditions.

Bike Rules

• No drafting is permitted. The cycle draft zone are “12 meter long by 3 meter wide rectangle” for the age grouper and “20 meter long by 3 meter wide rectangle” for the professional athletes between the front edge of the lead cycle and the front edge of the following cycle, extending each side of the cycle by 1.5 meter, measured from the leading edge of the front wheel. Another athlete has 15 seconds to pass through that zone. Likewise, once an athlete is passed they have 15 seconds to drop back out of the draft zone.
• Race numbers must not be altered in size or appearance, and must be worn on the back during the bike.
• The following helmet standards are required: ASTM – F14471994, Australia and NZ Standards – AS/NZS 2063:1996 or NZS5439 or AS2063.2, SnellB90 or B95, CE European StandardsEN1078, US Consumer Products Safety Standards – USCPS.
• Helmets must be secured by the chin strap before unracking the bike, and must remain fastened until the cyclist has dismounted the bike and returned it to its rack.
• No individual support allowed.
• Each participant is responsible for the state or repair of his/her own bike. Bikes must have been serviced within three weeks of the event and be in a safe and roadworthy condition. Assistance by anyone other than official technical support personnel will be grounds for immediate disqualification. This disallows the use of spare wheels and backup bikes and requires that each competitor be prepared to handle any possible mechanical malfunction. All bikes must undergo a compulsory check by the official technical support in the lead up to the race or at registration. Only checked bikes will be allowed into transition.
• Cyclists are expected to heed directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities. Participant may run/walk their bike if necessary.
• Competitors must keep as far to the right as is practically possible at all times, and pass others on the left and must obey all traffic laws, traffic regulations and the directions of Event officials and the Police.
• The penalty for dangerous riding or unsportsmanlike conduct will be an instant four minute stand down on the side of the road. A second penalty will result in an eight minute stand down. A third penalty will result in disqualification.
• The bike course will close for all competitors, both teams and individuals, at 14:30 pm Event organizers reserve the right to remove competitors from the race who do not complete the bike leg by this cut-off time.
• Event organizers have the right to change the location of the bike course or the distance of the bike course (at their absolute discretion) and taking into account the weather and course conditions.

Run Rules

• Competitors must not alter the size or appearance of the race number, and must wear it clearly and visibly on their front.
• Slower competitors must keep to the right with other competitors overtaking on the left.
• Runners must stay inside the cones at all times. Runners who step outside the cones onto the open road will be disqualified immediately.
• No individual support vehicles or nonparticipant escort runners or cyclists are allowed. Friends, family members, coaches or supporters of any type may not bike, drive or run alongside competitors, may not pass food or other items to competitors and should be warned to stay completely clear of all participants to avoid the disqualification of a participant. Runners are expected to follow the directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities. Outside assistance is strictly forbidden and the size and nature of penalties for such an offence are at the sole discretion of the Event Director and Race Referee.
• Many runners will still be on the course after dark. Please note – these competitors must provide a warm, long sleeve top and head torch in their Run Leg Special Needs bag. Competitors are responsible for attaching reflective tape to their gear prior to the event and must carry any other safety material provided to them by the event team on the day of the race.
• Competitors must obey all traffic laws, traffic regulations and the directions of Event officials and the Police.
• The run course will close for all competitors, both teams and individuals, at 23:00 pm Event organizers reserve the right to remove from the course competitors who do not complete the race by this cut-off time.
• Event organizers have the right to change the location of the run course or the distance of the run course (at their absolute discretion) and taking into account the weather and course conditions.