- GENERAL INFORMATION: In the regulations listed below, the following terms refer to specific definitions: RACE refers to the Nymfaia Mountain Running Race 40KM / ATHLETES refers to the competitors, that is, those who are legally registered and participating / COMMITTEE refers to the Organizing Committee of the Nymfaia Mountain Running Race, which consists of the Board of Directors of the Rodopi Runners.
- COMPLIANCE: Athletes are required to fully comply with the regulations described below. They are also obligated to follow the instructions of the race officials. Failure to comply with the regulations or instructions may result in corresponding penalties. Race officials, upon noticing any violations of the regulations, will record them and inform the offenders. Any other authorized person from the organization may also record any violations they observe and submit them for review by the Race Committee.
- RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE: Men and women over the age of 18 on the day of the race are eligible to participate. The registration list closes either when the predetermined number of participants is reached or by the deadline set each year with the announcement of the registration opening. A registration is considered valid only once the participation fee has been paid. The participation fee for the race is €35, as stated in the registration regulations. The organizers reserve the right to refuse athletes who have previously been disqualified from similar races due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
- CATEGORIES: Τόσο στους άνδρες όσο και στις γυναίκες υπάρχουν οι εξής κατηγορίες: M/W (18-49 ετών), M/W (50+).
- RACE DURATION: The race takes place on the second Sunday of November. For 2025, it is scheduled for Sunday, November 16. The start will be at 08:00 a.m. from the Nymfaia Tourist Pavilion. The race officially closes exactly 9 (nine) hours after the start, at the same location where the athletes finish.
- TIME LIMIT: There are two cut-off points in the race. These cut-off points have been set for the safety of the athletes themselves and for the smooth conduct of the race. Athletes who do not manage to pass through these points within the specified time will be considered disqualified. These points are located:ος Aid station at 6 hours and 30 minutes (23 km)that the race finish, after 9 hours. The cut-off limit is the same for men and women across all categories. After the specified time has elapsed, athletes will still be recorded, but they will be registered as overdue and will be asked to hand over their race number. Athletes who are considered to have abandoned the race for any reason are obliged to hand over their number at the nearest Checkpoint. Any athletes finishing outside the designated time limit will be considered as not having completed the race.
- ATHLETE NUMBER: Each athlete carries a race number, which must be worn in a visible position at all times. The number must remain intact throughout the race and must not be folded at the edges in a way that conceals any information printed on the bib (sponsors, logos, etc.). The bib measures approximately 20 x 15 cm and also bears the athlete’s full name. Any substantial alteration of the bib that could cause confusion for the officials at the Checkpoints will result in disqualification. Loss of the bib also results in disqualification.
- EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE: Any external assistance to athletes (except for nutritional support) from anyone is prohibited and will result in the athlete’s disqualification. Assisting other athletes using technical means (e.g., pulling with an elastic rope) is also prohibited. In all other cases, mutual assistance between athletes is allowed.
- AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT: The use of poles or similar equipment as an aid is permitted. However, the use of any motorized assistance is prohibited. The possession and use of a map, compass, GPS, mobile phone, or radio is allowed.
- WASTE DISPOSAL: Littering along the course is strictly prohibited. This includes plastic cups from aid stations or any other packaging materials, whether solid or liquid, consumed by athletes during the race. Each aid station will have a designated plastic trash bag. All athletes are required to dispose of plastic cups in or next to the bag. Disposing of packaging materials or other non-organic waste anywhere along the course outside the designated areas will result in disqualification.
- MOVEMENT ON THE TRAIL: Athletes are required to stay on the trail without forming wide groups that block others from passing. When an athlete is asked to make way for someone to overtake, they must stay on the uphill (inner) side of the slope. The presence of dogs accompanying any athlete is strictly prohibited.
- MANDATORY EQUIPMENT: No mandatory equipment is required for the athletes. However, it is recommended—especially for the slower participants—to carry a small backpack or waist pack with some basic supplies (first aid kit, water bottle or hydration bladder, solid food of their choice) to cover their needs between the aid stations.
- PROTESTS: Protests for any reason can only be submitted by the athlete themselves, no later than 30 minutes after finishing. The protest committee consists of the race organizers and the checkpoint officials responsible for the area where the incident occurred. The committee’s decision will be issued no later than the awards ceremony and is final.
- Commemorative Medals: A commemorative medal is awarded only to athletes who finish within the valid time limit of 9 hours. All athletes, regardless of performance, are honored with the same medal.
- DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY: The Committee is not responsible for death, injury, or any health damage to participants, who, by submitting their registration, acknowledge the risks present in the mountain environment and confirm that their health condition is good and allows them to compete, having recently been examined by a doctor for this purpose. However, athletes will not be required to provide a medical certificate. Athletes themselves are obliged to undergo regular medical check-ups to monitor their health. The Committee reserves the right to disqualify any athlete and prevent them from completing the race if, during the race, an authorized doctor issues a relevant assessment. Additionally, the Committee disclaims all responsibility regarding the physical safety of athletes, who must act responsibly in sections of the course where the risk of falls with serious or fatal consequences is increased.
- AMENDMENT OF REGULATIONS: The organizers reserve the right to modify these race regulations without prior notice. However, no substantial changes to the regulations will be made during the last three months before the race.
- SAFETY: The Committee is responsible for monitoring the race route with specialized personnel in matters of safety, rescue, and the provision of first aid to athletes in need. In cases where security staff and race officials instruct athletes to change direction for safety reasons, athletes are obliged to comply. Refusal to do so results in disqualification. If rescuers determine that an athlete is in poor condition and unable to continue, the athlete is required to withdraw from the race and hand over their race number.
- COURSE MODIFICATION: If necessary (e.g., in dangerous weather conditions), the organizers reserve the right to modify the course in order to ensure the safety of the athletes.
- RESULTS: The official (final) race results are published after the race in order to cross-check the data and carry out the necessary verification.
- PENALTIES: The only penalty imposed for all infractions and rule violations is disqualification. It applies in cases of course littering, cutting the course, inappropriate behavior, misuse of poles, external assistance, or any other punishable conduct.
- RACE CANCELLATION: If necessary (e.g., in extremely dangerous weather conditions), the organizers reserve the right to cancel the race entirely to ensure the safety of the athletes.
- COMMEMORATIVE AWARDS: Αναμνηστικά έπαθλα δίνονται στους τρεις άνδρες νικητές της γενικής κατάταξης και στις τρεις γυναίκες νικήτριες της γενικής κατάταξης, όπως επίσης και στους τρεις νικητές και νικήτριες της κατηγορίας Μ50+. Εφόσον κάποια κατηγορία συγκεντρώνει λιγότερους από 3 αθλητές, τότε τιμάται μόνο ο πρώτος
- COURSE SHORTENING: Shortening (cutting) the course is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Each competitor is responsible for carefully following the warning signs in specific sections of the trail, which indicate prohibited shortcuts or routes. However, there are sections of the course where using alternative trail turns is allowed, particularly where the trail naturally splits or diverges.
- CHECKPOINTS: There are 5 Checkpoints in the race. The Aid Stations also serve as Checkpoints. Athletes are required to keep their race number visible so that officials can record them. If an athlete is wearing a windbreaker jacket, they must ensure that their number is shown upon arrival at the Checkpoint. Refusal to show the number will result in disqualification. Any athlete who fails to pass through even one Checkpoint will be considered invalid. Each Checkpoint is authorized to announce the disqualification of an athlete. Disqualified athletes who wish to continue may do so at their own responsibility.
- CANCELLATION POLICY: In the event that an athlete cancels their participation, if the cancellation is made up to one month before the race date, 50% of the participation fee will be refunded. To request a cancellation, the athlete must send an email to rodopirunners@gmail.com . The refund will be completed within one month after the conclusion of the race. After this period, no refunds will be issued, nor will credits be applied toward future events.