The Dare 12

The race duration is 12 hours in length and any runners on the course after 8pm will have 1 hour to finish their lap. Runners are advised that the course terrain poses no threat of hazard from land or water (save for puddles in the event of rain) and it adheres to established paths having a width and surface suitable for the number of entrants.

Following the 12 hour period, an event coordinator will complete a full lap sweep run of the course to ensure all runners have exited the course.

All runners must be 18 years or over on the day of the race.

Every participant in the event must wear a race number visible when running at all times. You must advise us before the event if you have any medical conditions or allergies we should be aware of, and write these details on the back of your race number along with emergency contact details.

All runners must carry an official Dare2Run wristband when completing a lap (including solo runners). If you or your team are off the course taking a break, you must leave your wristband at the start / finish area race Head Quarters (“HQ”).

Each runner must complete at least one lap during the 12 hours for the individual or teams score to count.
You can run as many consecutive laps as you want to.

All participants are advised to carry a portable light from 7:30pm on Saturday and if doing a final lap. You can carry a hand torch, but we strongly recommend a head/body torch. Please make sure your torch is fully charged or you have spare batteries.

The lap counting and timing for the event will be carried out by an independent and outsourced professional chip timing company. Dare2Run Ltd will not be responsible for lap counting or timing of the event. We will be posting timing updates at various locations around the runners zone and also live results on our website so you can check your teams position via your mobile phone. There is a good 4G signal at site.

Race Head Quarters will be at a clearly visible position at the start/finish point and will be accessible to any competitors for the duration of the race to relay any updates, or answer any questions.

All runners must be 18 years or over on the day of the event. All runners will compete in open age category (18 up to 120 years of age) with no staged age limits being imposed.

The race is registered with the Welsh Athletics Association and also has a UK Athletics (UKA) Race License.

Competitors in certain categories will also qualify for Ultra-marathon Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB) points when a certain number of laps are completed.

Runners should be advised that no participants are to be accompanied by race pacers, by means of any modes of transportation or by other individuals.
Headphones are not allowed on the course due to UKAA association rules.

SOLO RUNNERS

You must sign the official waiver to take place. You must complete at least one whole lap to qualify for an official time, lap score and finishers medal. You can take as many breaks as you want for as long as you want, but you must enter and exit the course at the start/finish area and leave your official band at the race HQ so the organisers know who is on the course and who is not on the course.

Soloists, obviously, race on their own for the 12hrs. Soloists can take breaks as they require but must only leave and re-join the course at the start /finish arch once they have crossed the timing mat. They should let the timing staff know if they will be off course for more than a few minutes (e.g. if taking a rest period) and then when they resume (e.g. retrieving their wristband). Any time off course will be added to their next lap when they continue. They must also make sure that they pass over the timing mat to restart their next lap.

PAIR RUNNERS

All runners in your team must have signed the official waiver to take place. Each member of your team must complete at least one whole lap to qualify for an official time, lap score and finishers medal (e.g. a team of two must complete 2 full laps). You can only swap runners inside the official start and finish area. Every runner on the course must carry an official wristband and there will be one wristband per team. If your team decides to not run for a period of time, you must enter and exit the course at the start and finish area and you must leave your wristband at the race HQ.

Each runner can do a maximum of 6 laps before they have to hand over to their partner (i.e. each runner cannot do 7 consecutive laps). If a runner in the pair should drop out then unfortunately the race is over for your team, yet the distance covered will still be recorded (if both have completed a full lap) and you could still win. If your partner drops out you can complete a maximum of 6 laps on your own before you have to forfeit your race and have your time registered as a final time

TEAM RUNNERS

All runners in your team must have signed the official waiver to take place. Each member of your team must complete at least one whole lap to qualify for an official time, lap score and finishers medal (e.g. a team of four must complete 4 full laps, a team of 5 must complete 5 full laps etc). You can only swap runners inside the official start and finish area. Every runner on the course must carry an official wristband and there will be one wristband per team. If your team decides to not run for a period of time, you must enter and exit the course at the start and finish area and you must leave your wristband at the race HQ so we know who is on the course and who is not on the course.

Each runner can do a maximum of 6 laps before they have to hand over to their next team member (i.e. each runner cannot do 7 consecutive laps). However, for the duration of the race there are no maximum number of laps that must be completed by each runner but everyone in the team must run at least one lap. If the entire team but one member drops out then he/she can complete a maximum of 6 laps on their own before your team has to forfeit the race and have your time registered as a final time.

For team runners, general race rules apply and each runner can only change over at the designated area at the start/finish zone. When Runner A is out on course, Runner B needs to be ready at the changeover area when A is due to complete his/her lap(s). Runner A will come in after their lap and hand the exchange wristband to runner B before he/she starts the next lap. If the on course runner intends to run more than one lap they will be able to pass over the timing mats (to register the lap) and continue. If no runner is there to hand over to the runner on course, they can either; (1) elect to run another lap, (2) wait in the holding pen, or (3) hand wristband to HQ go and find the next runner? If a runner drops out of your team you must tell the start/finish staff so they can be removed off the register.

PETS

For safety reasons dogs (or any other animal) are not permitted in the race. Please be advised the Dare Valley Country Park is a dog friendly venue and supporters can bring their dogs During the race dogs/pets nearby the track must be kept under control. Restraining leads are required on all common land and woodlands and these are to be used in order to control dogs. Dogs are not allowed in the campsite, Runners HQ, garden or playground areas.

Dog fouling must be removed from all areas.

TRANSPORT

To ensure we deliver a sustainable event we are stongly advocating the use of alternative means of transport. Bike, pedestrian, car sharing and public transport are strongly recommended.
There is a regular direct train service to Aberdare from Cardiff (at the time of writing!). The train station is quick taxi ride or c. 1.5mile walk from Dare Valley Country Park. Go to https://www.thetrainline.com/ for more information.

Parking will be strictly limited on a first booked first served basis, and car sharing is strongly advised (please use the Facebook group to organise transport with other competitors).

Vehicular access is via the A4233 (Monk Street) out of Aberdare town centre and the fourth turning on the right, Highland Place. From here take the second turning left and immediately right.

As you enter the Park, pass over the cattle grid and please observe the 10mph speed restrictions. Vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders share this common access road so please give way. There are many speed ramps throughout the park.

The main car park is at the end of the ¾ mile long drive. Parking must be booked at registration and competitors will be directed to allocated spots in the carpark on arrival. Cars will be parked at the drivers risk, the event organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or otherwise to vehicles or their contents.

Avoid excessive speed on access road. Please take care in car park and access/exit, Dead Slow – Pedestrians may be obscured by walls or parked vehicles.
Disabled parking is available for badge holders only, Dedicated parking bays are located adjacent to the entrance to visitor centre complex.
Please park neatly and allow access of emergency vehicles. No vehicles may be driven off road within the park.

SCHEDULE

The race will begin at 8am on Saturday and will finish at 8pm on Saturday night.

If you (or one of your team members) has started a lap before 8pm on Saturday (i.e., 7:59pm), he/she will be allowed to finish the lap and it will count so long as he/she is finished by 9pm.

RACE TIMING

The system revolves around transponder chips that all runners must attach to their footwear (NOT on the wrist -if footwear is changed during the race then the chip must be reattached accordingly.) As you pass over the mats at the start/finish arch the system will detect your racing chip and credit you with that lap and time. Those running in teams will also carry an easily transferable wristband, which must be passed between team members in the transition area. ONLY ONE RUNNER PER TEAM IS PERMITTED ON THE COURSE AT ANY TIME – ANY TEAM NOT ADHERING TO THIS RULE MAY BE DISQUALIFIED

RESULTS

The winning individual/ team is the one completing the most laps in their category within the 12 hour race time. In the event of a tie, it will be determined by the individual/team completing the most laps within the quickest time period. For example:

1st Place – Team X – 10 laps completed in 12h:05m:00s
2nd Place – Team Y – 10 laps completed in 12h:11m:02s
3rd Place – Team Z – 9 laps completed in 12h:10m:00s

To confirm, we will judge the winning teams based on who has completed the most amount of laps in the shortest time.

Race time results will be available live on the day and published on our website shortly afterwards

CATEGORY WINNERS

In addition to a medal for completing the race, all Category winners will receive a trophy for their efforts. Categories in this years Dare12 run are all open (18-120 years). Where applicable come race day, category bespoke trophies will be awarded for the following:

• 1st Solo (Male)
• 1st Solo (Female)
• 1st Pair (Male)
• 1st Pair (Female)
• 1st Pair (Mixed)
• 1st Team of 3 (Male)
• 1st Team of 3 (Female)
• 1st Team of 3 (Mixed)
• 1st Team of 4 (Male)
• 1st Team of 4 (Female)
• 1st Team of 4 (Mixed)
• 1st Team of 5 (Male)
• 1st Team of 5 (Female)
• 1st Team of 5 (Mixed)
• 1st Team of 6 (Male)
• 1st Team of 6 (Female)
• 1st Team of 6 (Mixed)
• 1st Team of 7 (Male)
  
• 1st Team of 7 (Female)
• 1st Team of 7 (Mixed)
• 1st Team of 8 (Male)
  
• 1st Team of 8 (Female)
• 1st Team of 8 (Mixed)

CHEATING

Cheating will not be tolerated. Substituting unregistered runners or timing chips, cutting corners or through the tapes, taking short cuts and any other cheating will result in instant disqualification of the runner (if soloist) or the complete team

HEAD TORCHES

Head torches are not mandatory as this is a daylight race. However, runners are responsible for ensuring they have sufficient lighting on the course if completing a final lap after 8.00pm. All participants are advised to carry a portable light from 7:30pm on Saturday and if doing a final lap. You can carry a hand torch, but we recommend a head/body torch. Please make sure your torch is fully charged or you have spare batteries.

MEDICAL ON COURSE

We will have trained medics at the start finish area, and a mobile response team on the course at all times over the 12-hour period. The organisers will complete a 1-hour sweep period after the 8pm finish time. If you see another participant in distress it is your responsibility to raise the alarm and contact our medical team or contact your nearest race steward who will radio for help. If you see another runner on the course who is in distress, please stop and help them.

If you have any problems while you are racing, please tell the nearest race marshal so assistance can be called if required

SUSTAINABILITY

The Dare12 run is aiming to be an environmentally friendly event. All participants must ensure they do not drop rubbish or discard wrappers of any description on the course grounds.

Competitors seen to be deliberately littering will be disqualified.. Recycling facilities will be provided in the Runner’s HQ, the aid stations and at the camping site. Please ensure you help keep the park beautiful!

Competitors and those supporting their team(s) should be aware of the site specific safety rules applicable to the Dare Valley Country Park which is administered by the Council and its third party partners. More information is available at the following link.
http://www.darevalleycountrypark.co.uk/index.php/en/site-safety

ON-SITE FACILITIES

Competitor Storage

It is suggested competitors store their own personal items in their accommodation or vehicles they bring to site. Dare2Run will have security monitoring all the main areas of the event, but competitors are advised to take responsibility for their own possessions during and after the race.

Toilets

Ample male and female toilets facilities will be provided for the duration of the event.

Showers

Hot shower facilities will be provided for the duration of the event. The hotel guests also have access to their own facilities and the camping ground access has additional showers.

Washing / Drinking Water

Competitors will have available for the duration of the event washing (personal hygiene) and potable water sources for drinking. Additional water will be provided at the runners HQ and mid-way point on the course.

Sports Massage

All competitors will have access to professional sports massage upon booking in a time slot with the team at site. Sport massage can also be pre-paid and booked during online registration.