- GENERAL INFORMATION: In the regulations listed below, the terms used here refer to specific definitions: RACE refers to the Nymfaia 8KM Mountain Race / ATHLETES refers to the competitors, i.e., those who have legally registered and are participating / COMMITTEE refers to the Organizing Committee of the Nymfaia Mountain Races, which consists of the Board of Directors of 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 18 years of age on the day of the race are eligible to participate. The registration list closes either when the maximum number of participants is reached or by the final registration date, which is announced each year with the opening of registrations. A registration is considered valid only after the financial payment has been completed. The participation fee for the race is €12, as stated in the registration regulations. The organizers reserve the right to refuse entry to athletes who have previously been disqualified from similar races due to unsportsmanlike behavior.
- CATEGORIES: Τόσο στους άνδρες όσο και στις γυναίκες υπάρχουν οι εξής κατηγορίες: M/W (18-49 ετών), Μ/W (50+).
- RACE DURATION: The race will take place on Sunday, November 16, 2025. The start will be at 10:30 a.m. from the Nymfaia Tourist Pavilion. The race closes exactly three (3) hours after the start, at the same location, where the athletes will finish.
- ATHLETE NUMBER: Each athlete must wear a race number, which must be visible at all times. The number must remain on the athlete throughout the entire race. The bib, approximately 20 × 15 cm, also displays the athlete’s full name. Any significant alteration of the bib that may cause confusion for the officials at the checkpoints will result in disqualification. Loss of the bib is also punishable by 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 official time limit. All athletes, regardless of performance, receive 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 the present race regulations.
- SAFETY: The Committee is responsible for monitoring the race course with specialized personnel in safety, rescue, and first aid for athletes in need. In cases where safety staff or race officials instruct athletes to change direction for safety reasons, athletes are obliged to comply. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. If the responsible rescuers determine that an athlete has been seriously injured and deem it necessary for them not to continue, the athlete is required to withdraw from the race and hand in 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: Commemorative awards are given to the top three men and the top three women in the overall classification, as well as to the top three winners in the M50+ category. If a category has fewer than three participants, only the first-place finisher is awarded.
- 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.
- CANCELLATION POLICY: In the event that a participant cancels their registration, if this occurs up to one month before the race date, 50% of the entry fee will be refunded. To request a cancellation, the participant 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 the amount be credited for future events.