Rules of Oxfam Trailwalker Japan 2010

■ Eligibility & Participation Requirements
1. All team members must be aged 18 or older at the time of the event.
2. Teams must raise a minimum of 120,000 JPY by 9th April, 2010 to be able to participate in Oxfam Trailwalker. (This amount is in addition to the 60,000 JPY registration fee.)
3. Team members should undertake adequate training and preparation prior to the event in order to be able to complete the 100km route.
4. All team members will be required to read and sign a disclaimer at the start of the event understanding that participation in Oxfam Trailwalker is “at your own risk”.
5. Teams must inform the Oxfam Trailwalker office of any changes or additions in participating team members by 9th April, 2010. If any changes or additions requested after that period, 2,000 JPY per person will be charged as an amendment fee.
6. If any changes or additions of team members occur on the day of the event due to unavoidable circumstances, an amendment fee of 2,000 JPY will be incurred and all the necessary forms must be completed at reception. Falsification of registration details will result in all members being disqualified.

■ Rules During The Event
1. All four team members must check-in together at the start during their designated registration time.
2. All team members must stay together as a group, go on designated route and must check-in and check-out together at each checkpoint.
3. All team members must complete the whole course together in order to be recorded as a team.
4. Team members must keep to the trail, and in places such as the hiking courses and mountain paths, team members must pay careful consideration to animals and other people using the trail, as well as walking in a single file line.
5. If a team member temporarily leaves the course notification must be given at the checkpoint, and on resumption of the trail, the team must depart from and complete formalities at the checkpoint where the notification was given.
6. Teams must follow the directions posted on notice boards and/or given by Trailwalker staff during the event.
7. Bad weather may cause the designated routes to be changed or even cause the event to be postponed or canceled for safety reasons.
8. Teams must respect the environment and local neighborhood by not purposely damaging any plants or trees along the trails and using recycle bins and litter at the designated places. If this rule is broken, all four team members will be disqualified.
9. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas. If this rule is broken, all four team members will be disqualified.
10. Team members must visibly wear their official number tag at all times during the event as proof of participation.

■ Withdrawing From The Trail
1.If a team decides to withdraw during the event, the team must report to the nearest checkpoint. A team that withdraws and/or fails to arrive to the checkpoint by the stated closing time will result in the team being reported missing, and a search and rescue will be initiated. Search and rescue operations may cause the event to be delayed or suspended.
2. If a team is unable to reach the checkpoint by the stated closing time to “check-out”, the team will be withdrawn from the event and must contact the call center to receive further instructions as soon as possible.
3. If a team member becomes seriously injured and/or unable to move, under no circumstances may that person be left alone. One person must stay with him or her while the others get help. If a rescue team is dispatched the injured person will be taken to a hospital.
(Note: When a recovery vehicle is dispatched, if support for an injured person can be arranged without their fellow team members we would like the team to be able to continue. However we would like to go without specifying this as a rule, because in general we don't want to lay down things that are necessary for teams to deal with internally.)
4. In order to withdraw, the participant(s) must complete a “withdrawal card” at one of the checkpoints. A team continuing with less than four members must present the “withdrawal card” at each remaining checkpoint.
5. If a team leader decides to withdraw and the others choose to continue, a new team leader must be promptly selected amongst the 3 remaining members.
6. If two or more members decide to withdraw and the others choose to continue, the remaining two members must accompany another team between checkpoints. This is to ensure that all event participants travel in groups of at least three people for safety. This does not mean that team members join the other team - each team will retain their identity, team number and color throughout the event.

■ Support Crew Rules
1. Every team is strongly recommended to organize a Support Crew.
2. Support Crews should conduct their actions in a way that does not cause inconvenience to other teams or the general public.
3. Where access and parking is restricted to Support Crew vehicles please follow the directions of Trailwalker staff.
4. Fire is prohibited outside of designated areas.
5. If a Support Crew enters a restricted checkpoint, causes trouble, or lights a fire outside of a designated area, that Support Crew’s team will be disqualified.
6. Support Crew are permitted to walk with their team on the course but must take responsibility for themselves as Support Crew members are regarded similar to ordinary members of the public using the trails with no relation to the event.
7. Support Crews should follow the directions posted on notice boards and/or given by Trailwalker staff.

With the increase in number of participating teams, to relieve congestion at the start line we will have 2 start times, the first at 9:00 and the second 9:30.

■Choosing a Start Time
Teams should make their choice of start time at registration.
After registration, if a team wishes to change their start time, please contact the Trailwalker Office by Email.
Start time slots are on a first come first serve basis.

■Reception on the Day
Reception will be open from 7:00.
Please come to reception by 8:30, regardless of your starting time.

■Checkpoint Close Time
Whether starting at 9:00 or 9:30, there is no difference in the closing time of the checkpoints.
However teams that start at 9:00 are required to finish by 9:00 on Sunday the 25th of April,
and teams that start at 9:30 are required to finish by 9:30 on Sunday the 25th of April.