|
Detailed Info for Participants
Last
Updated 29/11/10
Top
A. Aid-Stations,
Cut-off Times and Drop-off Bags
 There
will be 7 aid-stations located at intervals of 10-15km (6-10 miles)
and one water station, excluding the start and finish at Camp Toilogt.
Aid-station 3 is at Camp Toilogt. Aid-station 4 also functions as
Aid-station 7. All aid-stations will offer Mongolian tea and cold
water, biscuits, cooked potatoes, salt and dried bananas. A local
Mongolian doctor and an English-speaking translator will man aid-stations.
Radio communication will be available from most aid-stations for emergency
purposes.
Participants have to reach aid-stations by specified cut-off times
and will be removed from the race should they not make these cut-off
times. These cut-off times are 12:00 at the 42km (26 mile) mark; 16:00
at the 65 km mark and 22:00 at the 100 km (62 mile) mark.
Two drop-off bags will be allowed - one at
Aid-station 3 at the 42km (26 mile) mark, also the finish of the marathon
distance. The second bag drop-off is at Aid-station 7 at the 76km
(48 mile) mark.
(Also see Course Map)
Top
B. Medical and
Emergency Services
A western doctor will lead the medical team and handle any life-threatening
emergencies. Appropriate transportation to the nearest hospital will
be on call at the race headquarters in the event that a participant
requires emergency care. Race medical personnel will check participants
prior to the race and reserve the right to prevent any unfit participants
from running. They may also prevent further participation at aid-stations
if runners appear unfit to complete the event safely. This measure
is necessary to ensure that all participants are off the course by
darkness at 22:00. Participants will be required to attend a medical
briefing by the medical team prior to the race in order to ensure
that they can help sick/injured fellow participants on the course.
We recommend that participants pack any prescription medicines that
they may need due to their known medical condition as well as some
common items such as:
- band-aid & disinfectant (open wounds, blisters)
- Elastic band (sprained ankle/knee)
- Antiseptic wound cream for sores
- muscle relaxant, chili plaster or poultice in case of stiff neck,
pinched nerves or injured muscles
- vitamin C and other cold medicine
- stomach medicine (diarrhea)
- your preferred pain killer/aspirin
The US State Department recommends no particular vaccinations for
visitors to Mongolia. For further information please consult the
US State Department web site or the
UK Foreign Office web site.
For additional medical information for visiting Mongolia we also
recommend that you contact the US
Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
Tel: +1 888 232 3228, Auto-fax service: +1 888 232 3299
Medical advice is also offered in the Lonely
Planet Guide Book on Mongolia.
Top
C. Race Safety Rules
Safety is best ensured through
prevention: at all times, make sure to keep focused and to be extra
careful near cliffs (yes, there are cliffs!) or while going down steep
trails. Exhaustion may reduce your attention or even cause disorientation;
altitude adds to these effects. Always make sure to drink and eat
regularly and sufficiently; rest if you feel excessively exhausted.
Should an emergency occur, fast communication will ensure that the
emergency can be dealt with in the best possible way. For such an
emergency, modern technology is on stand-by (e.g. short-wave radio,
Western medical assistance and pharmaceuticals). But if injured, you
will have to first get to an aid-station to benefit from those means.
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, do supply it, based on what
you will be taught before the race. Do also inform the next aid-station
or the nearest one in case of a life-threatening situation.
| 1. |
You must stay on course
at all times for your own safety and follow the markings (green
marks). Should you not see course markings for 100 m. return to
the last one you had seen and look for the next trail marks. |
| |
| 2.2. |
You are required to carry
at all times: |
| |
2.2.1 |
Rain proof gear for top
and bottom, including rain pants |
| |
2.2.2 |
Your emergency kit, containing:
- 2.2.2.1 One emergency blanket, provided
- 2.2.2.2 One whistle, one note pad and 2 small plastic bags, provided
- 2.2.2.3 Emergency food, provided
- 2.2.2.4 The course map and profile, provided
- 2.2.2.5 Bandage, provided
- 2.2.2.6 Water disinfecting tablets, provided. |
| |
2.2.3 |
Your own compass. |
| |
2.2.4 |
Your own liquid containers
with a minimum capacity of 1.5 liters |
| |
2.2.5 |
Your own electrical torch |
|
| 3 |
You are required to carry
the above items in order to enhance your ability to withstand
an emergency situation and allow the race direction to bring you
assistance as fast as possible. |
| 3.1. |
Do not discard the items
listed under 2.2 as long as you are still racing. |
| 3.2. |
You are requested to
consume your provided emergency food rations while racing only
if:
- You are unable to transport yourself to an aid-station
- You are exhausted; you may collapse or feel you are getting
disoriented.
- You consider yourself to be in an emergency situation |
| 3.3. |
The items listed in 2.2
will be checked at random after checkpoints during the race and
you will be disqualified if you do not have the above items with
you.
|
| 4. |
Runners who do not have
the compulsory items with them and have not had to use them in
an emergency will be disqualified. |
| 5. |
Immediately provide assistance
to other participants in an emergency situation. You will be given
some relevant first aid instruction before the race. You may find
it necessary to transport an injured fellow runner to the nearest
station. After providing assistance inform the race direction
via aid-stations. As much as possible you will be credited extra
time for your detour or time spent in assistance. |
| 6. |
Should you be in need
of assistance, but not in need of immediate transport to an aid-station,
you will help other runners communicate your condition without
delaying them, by writing a message in English on the pad with
the pen provided and protecting it in a small plastic bag. The
next fellow runner will carry this message to the next aid-station. |
| 6.1. |
On this message, write
as summarized on the notepad cover:
- Your race number and name
- Your position estimate (between Km X and Km Y)
- Your condition
- Your perceived most urgent needs |
| 6.2. |
Insert the message in
the plastic bag and hand it over to the next runner.
|
| 7. |
Should you need to attract
assistance use your whistle as follows: whistle 3 short blows,
wait and repeat. |
| 8. |
Should you hear an emergency
whistle, reply by three long whistles to let the person in need
know that he/she has been heard. |
| 9. |
Runners who did not assist
in an emergency may be disqualified from the race. |
| 10. |
Race medical personnel
on course and at aid stations are entitled to withdraw you from
the race if they sees fit. |
| 11. |
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! |
| 12. |
When arriving at aid-stations,
first check-in for time and medical check, then proceed to food
and drink. |
Top
D. 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 ovoo in Mongolia- which 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.)
Top
E. Climate
The climate in Mongolia in July is at its best,
usually dry and sunny with short spells of rain. Temperatures will
range between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (60 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit)
during the day. At night they may fall to 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees
Fahrenheit). The altitude at Camp Toilogt is 1,645m (5,400ft). The
sun at Lake Hovsgol is very strong and sun protection is strongly
advised. Rain showers are to be expected. Partially wet and swampy
terrain is not uncommon, particularly in the summer months..
Top
F. Meals and Accommodations
Meals in Mongolia will primarily consist of beef, lamb, fish, vegetables,
potatoes, pasta or rice at each lunch and dinner. Vegetarians will
be catered to with simple vegetable and pasta dishes, complemented
with milk, yogurt and possibly cheese but we recommend that they bring
protein bars or bean products to augment their diet and supply complete
nutrition. Breakfast meals will consist of bread, cream and jam with,
on occasion, eggs, ham or the like. The only beverage included for
meals is tea and water (all other drinks will be purchased by participants
individually). Fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely served in Mongolia.
If you are a vegetarian or have special food allergies, do fill in
the adequate fields in the online registration form. Organisers will
discuss feasible arrangements and determine what meal options may
be available in Mongolia that accord with your particular condition.
You may also consider bringing any special foods that you may require.
Accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, will be in 3-star
or 4-star hotels in single or shared accommodation (a single accommodation
supplement applies).
Top
G. What to Bring
Luggage destined for Camp
Toilogt is limited to 15 kg (33 lb.) including one piece of carry-on
luggage per person as a result of domestic airline restrictions. (Upon
request, additional luggage with a change of clothes and city shoes,
for example, may be safely stowed in Ulaanbaatar for retrieval upon
the return from Camp Toilogt. Please inform organizers ahead of time
should you need this service.)
Lightweight rain gear (top and pants) is mandatory, prior to and during
the race. A clothesline comes in handy for drying wet garments in
the gers. Warm clothes are recommended for chilly evenings. Temperatures
can also drop sharply during rain showers. Hat and high sun protection
sun cream (UPF 20 and above) are strongly recommended. Luggage with
a lockable compartment (and a lock) is recommended for the storage
of valuables. In addition to rain gear (top and pants), runners must
bring: an electric torch, and water bottles or a camel back with a
minimum capacity of 1.5 liters (see
Race Regulation 2.2).
Top
H.
Money, Currency and Purchases
Participants may change any currency
at the UB airport while waiting for luggage. In Camp Toilogt,
money exchange will not be possible. However, camp Toilogt accepts
US currency. Change may not always be available and we recommend you
take small bills.
The local currency is the Mongolian Tugruk. In July 2010, one USD was worth 1360 Tugruk.
Traditional Mongolian art and clothing can be very interesting souvenirs
and presents. Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset printed T-shirts, and embroidered
polar fleece vests will be on sale at Camp Toilogt.
We recommend that participants take a minimum of
US$200 (out of which US$100 would be in cash) per week in Mongolia.
Top
I. Visa Information
All participants with the exception of US citizens will require
a single entry and exit Mongolian tourist visa. These can be
obtained from Mongolian embassies and consulates and are generally
available without invitation letters or proof of travel documents.
Upon request, individual invitation letters will be issued by the
race organizers.
For US citizens a valid passport is required. "No visa
is required for Americans visiting for fewer than 90 days. Visitors
planning to stay in Mongolia for more than 30 days are required to
register with the Immigration, Naturalization and Foreign Citizens
Agency in Ulaanbaatar during their first week of arrival."
(Source:
http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html#m)
Selected addresses of Mongolian Embassies and Consulates
| Washington
D.C. |
Embassy
of Mongolia
2833 M Street, NW
Washington D.C. 20007
USA
Tel - (202) 333 7117
Fax - (202) 296 9227
E-mail - MONEM8@AOL.COM
|
| London
|
Mongolian
Embassy
7 Kensington Court
London W8 5DL
England
Tel - (0171) 937 5238
E-mail - embmong@aol.com
|
| Paris
|
Ambassade
de Mongolie
5 Avenue Robert Schumann
921000 Boulogne Billancourt, Paris
France
Tel - (01) 4605 2318
E-mail - 106513.2672@compuserve.com
|
| Bonn
|
Botschaft
der Mongolei
Siebengebirgsblick 4-6
D-53844 Bonn
Germany
Tel - (022) 4140 2727
E-mail - mongolbot@aol.com
|
| Geneva
|
Mission
Permanente de la Mongolie
Chemin des Mollies 6
1293 Bellevue
Switzerland
Tel - (022) 774 1974 |
Top
J. Emergency Contact Details
The provisional emergency contact details during the race week are
as follows.
| In Ulaanbaatar:
|
Hovsgol
Travel Company, Travel Manager Boloroo, event secretary Erke or
Travel Coordinator Shuree on:
+976 11 460 368 (office phone)
+976 11 460 367 (office fax)
+976 99021419 (Boloroo's mobile phone)
+976 99041398 (Erke's mobile phone)
+976 99094810 (Shuree’s mobile phone) |
| In Camp Toilogt
|
Contact Boloroo or Shuree in Ulaanbaatar and ask them to transfer a simple message also the mobile phone with GSM and CDMA network is available at the camp. |
Note: All of the individuals named above speak
English. In July Mongolia is (usually) 16 hours ahead of US West Coast
Time and 6 hours ahead of Central European Time.
Top
K. Recommended
Reading
Lake Hovsgol National Park
- A Visitor's Guide
We highly recommend this excellent booklet that provides a very comprehensive
introduction to Hovsgol National Park and includes background information
on the lake, local culture and color plates of local flora and fauna.
The guide is available for US$ 12.00 for international postage. UK account
holders can make checks payable to "Discovery Initiatives Ltd." Please
contact:
Julian Matthews
Discovery Initiatives
21 The Bakehouse
119 Altenburg Gardens, London, SW11 1JQ
United Kingdom
Tel +44 20 7978 6341
Fax +44 20 7738 1893
julian@discoveryinitiatives.com
The guide can also be purchased in Mongolia.
Mongolia:
The Bradt Travel Guide
Jane Blunden - with excellent sections on history and culture.
Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit: Mongolia. Forth edition, June
2005.
Lonely Planet Mongolian Phrasebook.
Mongolia in Transition. Old Patterns, New Challenges
Ole Brunn and Ole Odgaard - collection of essays about social change
in Mongolia since 1991
Mongolian Folktales
Hilary Roe Metternich - provides great insight into Mongolian culture
The Modern History of Mongolia
C.R. Bawden - academic history of Mongolia since 1910s
Men and Gods in Mongolia
Henning Haslund - fascinating account of a 1935 trip through Mongolia
(now back in print)
The Last Disco in Outer Mongolia
Nick Middleton - great account of visits to Mongolia in the late 1980s
and early 1990s.
Top
L.
Safety Notice
All participants will be required to sign a copy of the 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 the best 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
Participants joining the Beijing packages will be travelling on a
MIAT (Mongolia's national carrier) to UB. After arrival in Mongolia
from your international travel, you will be traveling to and from
the race venue in Hovsgol National Park on a flight chartered from
one of Mongolia's several airlines. The likely aircraft that Mongolia
Sunrise to Sunset will charter is a Focker 50 from AeroMongolia, an
aircraft that is manufactured in Sweden.
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 do 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.
The best source for information on the safety of flying on AeroMongolia
that we have found was the foreign embassies based in Mongolia. Also,
some web sites you might want to check:
www.airsafe.com
www.airdisaster.com
www.airsafe.com/events/waas.htm
www.aviation-safety.net
www.miat.mn
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 thru 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 stand-by (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 hot water or 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.
Horseback riding
Horseback riding is dangerous. Every year one or two participants
fall off and get
scraped up. Only ride horses if you and race director Angie Eagan
are confident that you are capable. In order to minimize the danger,
you are required to stay in groups and submit to Angie's instructions
at all times. If you know you want to ride horses in Mongolia and
you haven't ridden before, please take some lessons at home before
you come.
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 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
- 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.)
I have read and understood the Safety Notice before registering.
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Top |