Basic Race Rules include:

The guiding principles of the race that we expect every participant to follow include fairness and equality of competition and consideration for fellow competitors, marshalls, the local population and the environment. We cannot set rules for every eventuality, but if you follow the above guiding principles, conflicts should generally be avoided. Some specific rules and guidance are provided below.

• You must complete the marked course on foot under your own power.
• Trekking poles are permitted, but you must take extra care not to injure fellow competitors with them.
• You must stay on the marked course at all times. Short cuts are not permitted. If you get lost return to the last sighted marking or check point.
• Your race number must be worn visibly.
• The timing wristband must be worn throughout the race.
• You must check in at each water station (W) OR checkpoint (CP) with the checkpoint officials to get scanned. Failure to do so will mean you have not completed the race course and you risk disqualification or not being ranked.
• Cut-off times are imposed at some of the aid stations (see information in the tables of detailed course information under Race Info). You must LEAVE the aid station no later than the cut-off time to remain ranked on the race course. The cut-off time is counted in hours from race start.
• Course sweepers are following behind the last runner and removing the markers. If you are towards the back of the race, make sure you do not step off the course and let the sweepers overtake you as the markers will then be removed and you may not be able to follow the course.
• Except for medical emergencies, withdrawal from the race can only take part at Water Stations. You must clearly inform the race officials of your intent, and your wristband will be removed. Withdrawal is final - once withdrawn, you cannot re-enter or continue on the race course, so make sure you are 100% sure before withdrawing.
• You must carry the Mandatory Gear at all times during the event. Random gear checks will be performed during the event. Any participant with missing mandatory gear will be penalized with a time penalty or disqualification per list provided below.
• The wearing of iPods or other music players is permitted but must be removed when you are running or trekking along public main roads for safety reasons.
• Always run/walk on the right side of the road with traffic coming towards you on larger roads unless advised differently by the course marshals.
• If you need First Aid help on the course you must use the emergency phone numbers provided for the race (printed on your race bib) to contact event organisers who will arrange to retrieve you if it is a serious injury.
• Littering is unacceptable! All litter must be carried to the next water station where it can be disposed off. Runners caught disposing rubbish on the race course will be penalized heavily or disqualified.
• Leave gates as you find them. If closed, you may open it to pass through but it is your responsibility to close the gate after you. DO NOT assume the next competitor will close the gate unless it is specifically agreed.
• No outside support is allowed along the race course. You may purchase food and drinks from local shops and vendors setting up along the course.
• Support crews are not permitted to run with or pace runners or follow runners with any motorized vehicle.
• Any tampering with course marking or other actions that are deemed against a fair and sporting spirit is unacceptable and will result in disqualification or heavy time penalties.
• The race director reserves the right to delay the start time, bring forward the start time, modify the race course if necessary be it to extend the distance or reduce the distances and/or modify the cut off times if safety becomes an issue. The race director also reserves the right to cancel the event if necessary and to postpone or move the event date to a later date.

Support Crews:

We welcome if you have family or friends joining you for the race and we recognise the desire for them to follow the race closely and provide encouragement and support during the event.  To keep a fair competition and avoid interference with the race or other participants, we need to set rules around the support that can be provided. Any infringement of these rules may lead to a time penalty or disqualification of the runner being supported, so please make sure you and your support crew are familiar with the rules. 

Key regulations include:

• Support crews are allowed to provide assistance at the Aid Stations EXCEPT at W1, W5 and W7 due to safety and management considerations.
• We do not have particular “support zones” at the aid stations, but any support provided has to be at one of the designated Aid Stations and without interference to the operation of the station or other runners.
• Support may include provision of nutrition and dietary needs.
• Without exception, no support is allowed between or outside the designated Aid Stations, unless the participant is withdrawing from the race.
• Support crews are not permitted to run with or pace runners or follow runners with any motorized vehicle on the race course.
• Support DOES NOT alleviate the runner from carrying all mandatory equipment as stipulated in the race regulations.
• Support Crews must at all times follow the instructions of the Race Organisation and Staff at the Aid Stations.
• It is strictly forbidden to drive any vehicle along the driveable sections of the race course – access to the aid stations designated for support must to the extent possible avoid the race course.
• Access to WS 6 (Halfway & Finish Arena) is restricted and no support cars will be allowed. Park your car at the designated parking space and walk or take the shuttle van to W6 and the Finish arena (distance approximately 800m).

Terms and Conditions for Participation include:

The TMBT Ultra-Trail® Marathon & Trail Run is an extreme outdoor road and trail race that is designed for trail runners who understand the risks associated with participating in such an event. In particular:

• Runners acknowledge that by participating in such an event, they accept that the route is challenging and at times designed for runners who are conditioned and trained for such an event.
• Runners understand that medical response to emergencies may be slow due to the nature of the event and remote locations of this event.
• The organization reserves the right to withdraw the privilege of running in this race if an individual is found to be acting against the spirit of the race.
• Minimum age requirements:
• 100K: 18 years or older on race day.
• 50k: 16 years or older on race day with parental consent if below 18 years.
• 30k: 12 years or older on race day with parental consent if below 18 years and accompanied by adult if below 15 years.
• 37k: 12 years or older on race day with parental consent if below 18 years and accompanied by adult if below 18 years.
• 12k: 8 years or older  on race day with parental concent if below 18 years and accompanied by adult if below 15 years.
• 7.5k: Must have parental consent if below 18 years and accompanied by adult if below 13 years.
• All competitors are responsible in ensuring they are medically fit to participate in this event and do not suffer from any of the medical conditions stated below. Competitors suffering from any of the medical conditions stated below are not allowed to participate in this event:
  • Congenital or rheumatic heart conditions
  • Hypertension
  • Myocarditis and other heart conditions
  • Coronary heart disease, coronary arterial disease
  • Serious arrhythmia
  • Diabetes
  • Any other disease which can be aggravated by running
• Competitors agree to abide by any adjudication by the race director, which will be final.
• All runners are expected to act sensibly and to show basic respect for the organization and the rules and regulations set forth in the spirit of competition and the race.
• Competitors agree that the organizers and sponsors will in no way be held responsible for any loss of, or damage to property as a result of participation in the event. Supervised baggage storage will be provided on the day of the event for participating runners (details will be advertised prior to the event).
• Competitors understand and accept the race organization reserves the right to alter the date or cancel the event in case of severe safety issues beyond the control of the organizers.
• Competitors understand and accept hat the organizers reserve the right to make changes to the published race course as deemed necessary at any time.
• Competitors understand that runners are prohibited from swapping, selling or transferring race slots/race entries/race bibs to another person without the express permission of the organizing team.
• Complaints and Disputes: We invite you to file complaints with us via the “Contact Us” page.
• No refunds are payable for competitors of this event who withdraw, do not show up for registrations or do not turn up to compete in the event. No refunds are possible for withdrawals from the event unless it is within 7 days of payment.

Mandatory Equipment:

The mandatory equipment list has been established based on two guiding principles of safety and equality. A majority of runners, in particular the fast front runners, will not need several of the items during the race, but the equipment is intended for cases of emergency, and these must be carried by ALL based on the specific requirements for each catgory per list below. These are 12 separate items, and one item cannot double up for two (so a mobile phone cannot replace a backup headlamp/torch, and a backup headlamp cannot replace a blinker light (even if it has a blinker function, etc).

Compulsory equipment must be carried from start till finish during the race, and MAY NOT be picked up or deposited along the race course, including from the halfway drop-bag of the 100 km. Random spot checks WILL be performed along the course, and the top finishers of all categories will be checked at the finish lines. Time penalties or disqualification will be strictly enforced according to the schedule below. Every year we have competitors with incomplete equipment who get disappointed with the penalties - please do yourself and us a favor and don't let that be you.

Please note:  For Race Pack, we allow "bum bags" for those who prefer this as long as it has sufficient capacity to carry all compulsory equipment, INCLUDING a minimum of 1.5 L of water. For headlamps with built-in rechargeable batteries where spares cannot be taken, we will allow this and exempt from carrying spare batteries if both headlamps are with rechargeable "fixed" batteries with sufficient capacity to last a 12 hour period. It is ultimately the responsibility of the runner so ensure that the batteries can last a full night. The red or white blinking lights are a separate item (cannot be the headlamp or spare lamp), and must be fixed to the back of the pack and switched on during dark hours.

The mandatory equipment list can be downloaded from the TMBT Dropbox

Basic Medical Kit: For treating minor wounds and injuries and should contain some antiseptic, gauze, some self adhesive dressings and small elastic bandage (preferably the cohesive type). A blister kit is also recommended.

Additional Optional / Recommended Items.

The needs of competitors vary with fitness and abilities. It is the responsibility of each competitor to assess his/her own abilities and requirements for a safe race. It is in particular noted that slower runners are strongly recommeneded to carry more water than 1.5 liters on the longer/steeper sections. Heat and dehydration are considered the largest health risk on the course. Below is a list of additional items beyond the compulsory equipment for consideration.

100K Road Section Safety Measures:

We are hoping to be able to eliminate the 3 km road section between W4 and W5 for the 100 km route, but this is still work in progress.

If we cannot establish a safe and doable route, we may have to maintain a 3 km section along the edge of the main road between Tuaran and Kundasang, in which case we will have the following specific safety measures in place for this section immediately after W5:

• In poor visibility (mist, fog, rain) and after 17:30, runners must wear their blinker light clearly visible on the back of their pack. Blinker must turned on from W5.
• Competitors are not allowed to walk on the road itself, but must stay on the narrow strip outside the barriers and road side drains - see picture below.
• Any runner found violating the above rules will receive a time penalty.
• Whereas the reflective vest is not compulsory equipment, we strongly recommend to use one or ensure that you have reflective stripes and visible colors on the back of your gear.