• Short description:
The Hellenic Mountaineering Association of Chania, in its effort to give the opportunity to hikers and young athletes to have a first experience with running in the beautiful mountainous environment adjacent to the Samaria National Park, organizes alongside the "Samaria Run", for the first time, the Mountain Running Race 'OMALOS RUN' in a beautiful mountain route of 7 kilometers with beautiful pictures and views towards the plateau of Omalos and the western White Mountains, starting from the taverns on the Plateau of Omalos and finishing at the entrance of our National Forest in Xyloskalos.
The route of the mountain running race "Omalos Run" moves in a radius of 4 kilometers from Xyloskalos (northern entrance of the Samaria gorge), starts from the taverns at the entrance of the Omalos plateau and follows for the first 4 km an alternative undulating route through rural roads and single-tracks to the location "Mahhi" (altitude 1,200 m, junction with rural road to Kallergi refuge), where the first supply point is located, from "Mahhi" continue on the uphill dirt road to the refuge for one and a half (1, 5) kilometer, to the point where the downhill path to Xyloskalos begins. Here at high 1,430 m is the second control and supply point, from where we continue on the final part of the race route, on a downhill path in a southwest direction and complete the 7,000 meters of the route at Xyloskalos (altitude 1,250 m), where we finish.
• Liabilities:
Athletes are obliged to fully respect the regulations described below. They are also obliged to obey the instructions of the match judges. Failure to comply with the regulations or instructions incurs corresponding penalties. The judges of the match, when they perceive violations of the regulations, record them and inform the violators. Any other authorized person from the organization has the possibility to also record any violation that comes to his attention and submit it for examination to the Competition Committee.
• Participation right:
In the 2st "OMALOS RUN" Mountain Running Race, which will take place on Sunday, May 12, 2024, everyone who wishes and who is an adult, i.e. they have reached the age of 18 on the day of the race, has the right to participate.
• Declarations of participation:
This year's event will host 300 athletes (men and women). Once the above number is reached, no further entries will be accepted. Registrations will be accepted no later than Thursday, May 09, 2024. When registering, you will need: Surname, First Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Home Address, Contact Phone, Email Address. On the day of the competition and the two previous days of the competition, no registrations will be accepted.
• Participation fee:
The cost of participation for everyone in the 2st Race "OMALOS RUN - 7 km" is 10 Euros. The price includes: the right to participate in the race, all the support that will be available at the stations along the route, a commemorative medal and a gift, the athletes' transportation to and from the finish and start points. The participation amount will be paid only with the online registration of the athlete via the website: https://events.eoshanion.gr/el/events. Refunds due to cancellation of participation are possible, as long as this is done with written notification, up to Thersday 09/05/2024.
• Start of the match:
The start of the race will take place on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 09:00 on the Omalou plateau. The validity time limit for the 7,000 meter route is 2 hours for the entire route.
• Supporting the athletes during the race:
Athletes are not required to carry specific equipment. During the route there will be 2 support and supply stations. There will be judges at all stations.
• Athlete number:
The receipt of the number of each participant will be done strictly by the secretariat of the competitions, at the offices of the E.O.S. Chania, the day before the match, Saturday 11 May 2024, from 12:00 p.m. up to 4:00 p.m., upon presentation of ID and proof of payment of the participation fee. In the event that a participant cannot attend the secretariat on Saturday 11/05, he will authorize another person to collect him on his behalf.
Each athlete carries his competition number, which he is obliged to wear in a visible place on the front of his uniform (jersey). The number must remain throughout the match without any of its edges being folded, thus obscuring any element written on the fabric.
• Aid:
Any external assistance or artificial assistance of athletes to each other is prohibited, as well as the use of any motorized aid. The use of baton, map, compass, GPS, mobile phone is allowed.
• Security:
The organizing Association undertakes to supervise the course of the race with specialized personnel in matters of safety, rescue and providing medical assistance to the athletes, who will be in need. In cases where safety personnel and judges indicate to athletes that they must change direction for safety reasons, athletes are obliged to obey. Refusal to comply means exclusion.
• Trash:
Throwing objects along the route is strictly prohibited. At each feeding station there will be a special plastic waste bag. All athletes are required to throw waste into or next to the bag. Discarding packaging materials or other non-organic waste at any point on the route, other than those specified, incurs a disqualification penalty.
• Athletes' insurance:
All sportsmen and women participate in the competition at their own risk and their insurance is borne by them.
• Liability Disclaimer:
The organizing Association is not responsible for the death, injury or any damage to the health of the competitors, who, by submitting the application for participation, declare that they are aware of the dangers that exist in the mountain environment and certify that their state of health is good and allows them to compete , and have recently been examined by a doctor for this matter. However, no athlete will be asked to provide a medical certificate. The athletes themselves are obliged to undergo a regular medical check-up in order to check their state of health. The Committee reserves the right to cancel an athlete and not allow him to complete the race, if during the race there is a relevant opinion of an authorized doctor. Also, the Committee disclaims any responsibility regarding the physical integrity of the athletes, who should behave responsibly in areas of the route, where the risk of falling with unpleasant or fatal results is increased.
• Modifying the route:
If necessary (dangerous weather conditions), the organizers reserve the right to modify the route, in order not to endanger the safety of the athletes.
• Categories - Souvenirs - Prizes:
The categories in which cups, medals, commemorative diplomas and gifts will be awarded by the sponsors are two, the following:
- Men
-Women's
All participants will be given commemorative medals and gifts. The awards to the winners will take place at the finish point, at Xyloskalos Omalou on the day of the race, Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 12:30 p.m.