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All participants must read, understand, print and sign the Safety Notice and Waiver before registering for Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset.

All participants must read, understand and adhere to the Race Regulations as published on www.ms2s.org.

Safety Notice

Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is an adventure race organized alongside local nomads and among rare flora and fauna in one of the most pristine National Parks of the world, where nature still rules. Whilst offering challenging competition for ultra-runners, the event also aims at preserving the beauty of the setting and at promoting the local cultural identity.

Over the previous events, scratches, a twisted ankle and one case of stomach hyperacidity are the only injuries and illnesses suffered by participants. We strongly believe, however, that adequate preparation and participants awareness are a key factor to a good safety record. The Safety Notice and Waiver are part of it and require your undivided attention.

The safety risks and hazards outlined below are not exhaustive or complete – there are many other potential risks.

1. Travel Hazards

After arriving in Mongolia, MS2S participants will be traveling to and from the race venue in Hovsgol National Park on a flight chartered from one of Mongolia’s several airlines (e.g. Aero Mongolia, Hunnu Air, Eznis Airways). As with any air travel, there are always risks of an air disaster and we wish to warn you that there are no concrete preparations we can undertake to prevent an air disaster. If you are concerned about any aspect of the air travel for Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset, you are responsible to thoroughly investigate the details before you commit to register for the event.

2. Safety during the race

Awareness
Safety is best ensured through your own awareness of your environment: at all times, make sure to keep focused and to be extra careful near cliffs or while going down steep trails. Exhaustion may reduce your attention or even cause disorientation; altitude adds to these effects.

Food and Drink
Always make sure to drink at least ½ to 1 liter of water hourly, eat snacks once an hour and to eat something substantial at the midway aid-station (don’t forget to consume salty foods such as soup to replenish the salts you lose through sweat).

Exhaustion
Rest, eat and drink if you feel exhausted/groggy. Do not depend on race medical staff to tell you of this imperative.

Injury
Should an emergency occur, and you or another participant is injured, the best way to help the participant is through fast communication. Race organizers have established a communication system that will help in emergency situations. For such an emergency, modern technology is on standby (short-wave radios, Western medical assistance and medicines). Also, the race regulations (below) stipulate that all participants must carry message pads and pencils so that other runners can pass notes to aid stations. The only way that the race medical staff can help injured participants is if either (a) the injured participant can be assisted to an aid station, or (b) the injured runner or a passing runner can get a message to an aid station with instructions on how to find the injured runner and what the nature of the injury is. In certain circumstances only a fellow runner will be able to help you reach an aid-station or to inform the nearest aid-station. Should you meet a runner in need of assistance, you must supply it, based on first-aid knowledge you will be taught before the race. Also inform the next aid-station or the nearest one in case of a life-threatening situation.

Race Regulations
All participants must adhere to the Race Regulations.

Behavior at Aid Stations and Finish
Aid-station personnel will do their utmost to provide you with drink, food and first aid. They are also keeping track of your location on the course and so contribute to your safety: please help them to help you!

• When arriving at aid stations, first check-in for time and medical check, then proceed to food and drink.
• You may not litter or carry cups away from the aid stations.
• At race finish, shower and a dinner will be organized. Please be patient if a shower cabin is not available immediately after you arrive, due to limited facilities.

Only use biodegradable soap, as provided.

3. Safety in the days before and after the race

Stay in groups. Do not go off on your own.
You are also required to carry your safety items when away from the camp, as follows:

• Rain proof gear for top and bottom
  Your emergency kit, containing:
  • One emergency blanket, provided
  • One whistle, one note pad and 2 small plastic bags, provided
  • Emergency food: one bar of chocolate, provided
  • The course map and profile, provided
• Bandage, provided
• Water disinfecting tablets, provided
• Your own compass
• Your own liquid containers with a minimum capacity of 1.5 liters
• Your own electrical torch

Horseback riding
Horseback riding is dangerous. Only ride horses if you and our race director are confident that you are capable. To minimize the danger, you are required to stay in groups and always submit to our instructions. If you know you want to ride horses in Mongolia and you haven’t ridden before, please take some lessons at home first.

Swimming
It is crucial that you do not swim alone. The water is extremely cold, and hypothermia is very possible.

Boats
If you want to take a boat anywhere a Mongolian skipper/boat driver must accompany you and you must wear a life jacket at all times.

4. Environmental and Cultural Code

The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is set in one of the most beautiful national parks in Asia. Preserving and possibly improving its environment and the cultural distinctiveness of its inhabitants is a primary goal of the event. We request your active collaboration to achieve this purpose, as follows:

• While running or hiking, keep to existing trails
• Do not litter at anytime, anywhere
• Pick-up litter that you may come across, even if it is not yours
• Do not unnecessarily disturb wild or domestic animals

Be generally respectful of the local flora, fauna, people and deities. (Do consider taking at least one clockwise circumambulation around the local cairns -called Övös in Mongolia- that you will pass by while running! Also try not to move rocks, as Mongolians say that they suffer for a thousand year as a result.)

Waiver

The Waiver is intended to give you the opportunity to free Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset and the Hovsgol Travel Company from liability in case you are involved in an accident, illness, injury or death.

If Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset does not receive a signed copy of the waiver form you may not take part in the event, as a runner or in any other capacity.

Waiver – for all participants and other entrants:
Please read carefully and understand the following long paragraph. If you have trouble reading English, it is your responsibility to get assistance in reading and understanding this waiver.

“I understand the safety hazards and rules as outlined in the registration form, and I understand that this list of hazards is not complete, and that there are many other risks involved. I attest that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (referred to below as “The Event”). I attest that I am able to complete the race distance that I have registered for in under 18 hours. I understand that the organizers may withdraw me from the race at any time should my condition be deemed unfit by the medical personnel or for any reason, without any refund. I understand that The Event may be altered or cancelled/delayed. I have arranged valid evacuation/repatriation insurance and will provide a copy to the organizers at departure. I verify that I and/or my own insurers assume all expenses if I am involved in an accident, illness or other incapacity while in Mongolia for The Event, regardless of whether I have authorized such expenses. Upon the acceptance of my entry in The Event, I, intending to be legally bound, do hereby for myself and my heirs, executors and administrators waive and release any and all claims for damages and cases of suit of action, known or unknown, that I may have against Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset, ecoLeap foundation, Hovsgol Travel Company, The Mongolia Government, and against any and all participating race directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents and sponsors, for any and all injuries, theft or losses resulting from my participation in The Event or presence in Mongolia for The Event. I agree to be filmed and photographed during the event and that films and photos may be broadcast and published without my subsequent approval. I hereby waive all copyrights and other rights to photos and films made during the event. I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the event. Electronically submitting this form with handwritten or printed signature equally signifies my agreement and I agree to sign additional hard copies of this waiver on arrival in Mongolia.”