Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda- a long distance running event set in the most breathtaking Norwegian

RACE MANUAL 2015

SalomonXreid Hardangervidda

All participants must read and understand this race manual before they sign up for Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda

”There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: The fear of failure”

- Paulo Coelho

RACE MANUAL 2015

Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda

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CONTENTS

Entry fee

Registration, cut-off and program

Mandatory equipment

Checkpoints

Description of the race

Rules

Special needs bags

Support of familiy and friends

Travel advice

Expected weather

Declaration

© 2015 Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda, All rights reserved.

Photos:

Mats Grimsæth (Cover, p6, p10-11, p13, p14, p16-17, p18, p22)

Agurtxane Concellon (p6, p9, p12, p15, p21, p22-23)

Kai-Otto Melau (p8, p13) sSalomon/Suunto (p9,p12,p22),

Espen Laaveg (p26)

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08 - 09

10 - 11

12 - 14

15 - 16

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19 - 20

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SUMMARY › Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda 2015 starts at Ustaoset Friday 3rd July 12:00.

› The race can be done either as a single participant or as a team.

› Registration will be hosted at both Ustaoset and Gaustablikk. The opening hours at both locations are Thursday 2th July 18:00 – 21:00.

› All participants will be given two special need bags at the registration. These bags will be transported by the organizers to Kalhovd (77 k), and Vemork (114 k)

› There will be two official medical checkpoint, after 88 km and at Vemork (114 km). At these check-points there will be professional medics. They will make sure you are in shape to continue this expe-rience.

› The entire route will follow official trails marked by The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT), but at all trail junctions you will have to check your map, compass or GPS.

› Route with waypoints for the GPS must be downloaded on our website and installed on your GPS device.

› The route will be changed if there is a conflict with the wild reindeer population at Hardangervidda.

› You will find garbage deposits at check point Kal-hovd and Vemork. If you are caught littering, you will be disqaulified.

› Book accommodation as soon as possible.

ENTRY FEETeam: 2000 NOK per participant.The team must consist of 2 - 4 participants with one Team Manager. Individual: 2500 NOK

WELCOME

Entry fee includes: › Finisher prize › Lift down from Mt. Gausta. › Transport from the lift at Mt. Gausta to Gaustablikk. › Warm, local food at checkpoint Rauhelleren, Mårbu, Kalhovd and Mt. Gausta.

› Special needs bags at two checkpoints. › Tracking service during the experience. › Map of the entire route › Gravelight and matches › Great experiences, endorphins and memories for life.

The entry fee will be refunded, regardless of the reason for cancellation, until March 30th, minus an administrative fee of 500 NOK.

Between April 1st and May 14th the entry fee will only be refunded if a valid medical certificate is produced, minus an administrative fee of 750 NOK.

After May 15th no refund of the entry fee will be accepted.A slot in this race is personal and cannot be transferred.These rules will be followed to protect the event from economic loss.

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SHOE ADVICE Ustaoset – Kalhovd: Shoes with cushioning and traction. Kalhovd – Mt. Gausta: Shoes with cushioning. If wet weather, use shoes with great grip from Vemork to Mt. Gaustatoppen.

DISTANCES Ustaoset – Rauhelleren: 35 kmRauhelleren – Mårbu: 21 kmMårbu – Kalhovd: 21 kmKalhovd – Helberghytta: 22 kmHellberghytta – Vemork: 15 kmVemork – Mt. Gausta: 14 km

Total distance: 128 km

Ascent: 4200 meters.

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REGISTRATIONRegistration will be hosted at both Ustaoset and Gaustablikk. The opening hours at both locations are Thursday 2th July 18:00 – 21:00. At the registration you need to bring your backpack with all mandatory equipment. We will pay attention that you remember to bring all mandatory equipment on your journey toward Mt. Gausta. At the registration you will be given your start number, two empty special needs bags tagged with locations and your start number, tracking unit, “gravelight” and map with a scale of 1:100 000. Before 21:00 all participants need to deliver the two special needs bags to registration. These bags will be transported out to the checkpoints at Kalhovd and Vemork.

The organisers will also provide transport of equipment from Ustaoset to Gaustablikk. Leave this equipment in a trailer marked with Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda on raceday.

CUT-OFF TIMESThe following cut-off time is set with a start at Ustaoset Friday July 3th at 12:00.

› Vemork: Saturday July 4th 16:00 (28 hours after start). This cut-off will be strictly enforced due to safety reasons.

MEDICAL CHECKPOINT 88 KM AND VEMORKAfter 88 km and 114 km you will reach the medical checkpoints. At this checkpoints there will be profes-sional medics. They will make sure you are in shape to continue towards Mt. Gausta. If they consider your shape to be good-to-go you will hear the words: “Good Luck.” If they consider your health is at risk in the mountain you will be taken out of the race.

THE 2015 RACE

PROGRAM

Thursday 2th July18:00 Registration and delivery of special needs bags opens at Ustaoset and Gaustablikk.21:00 Registration and delivery of special needs bags closes at Ustaoset and Gaustablikk.

Friday 3rd July07:30 Bus transport from Gaustablikk to Ustaoset.12:00 Start of Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda 2015.

Saturday 4th July16:00 Cut-off at Vemork (after 28 hours).

Sunday 5th July10:00 Pick up special needs bags at Gaustablikk.10:30 Ceremony at Gaustablikk

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Mandatory equipment for all participants - must

be packed in backpack:

› Wind and waterproof jacket

› Wind and waterproof pant

› Whistle

› Wool underwear (upper and lower)

› Windproof hat and gloves

› Emergency blanket/ shelter. Example: http://www.

pieps.com/en/safety-equipment/pieps-bivy-mfl

› Grave light and matches (given by the organisers at

registration)

› Map (given by the organisers at registration)

› Headlamp (expect darkness 5-6 hours per night)

› Credit card or cash

› 200 NOK in safety cash (not for buying refreshments

or food at the checkpoints).

Mandatory equipment for all team leaders and

individual participants:

› GPS with lithium batteries.

› 2 extra lithium batteries for the GPS.

› Compass.

› Fully charged cell phone (turned OFF, placed in

backpack) with the pre-stored emergency number

that will be given to you. Use this phone if an emer-

gency situation occurs.

› Basic first aid kit.

EQUIPMENT

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Make sure you have all the necessary

equipment mentioned in the Race Manual. It is

also important to make sure you know how to

use the equipement properly before headring

to the start at Ustaoset. And remember it is

for for your own safety.

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CHECKPOINTS

The checkpoints are our most important contact with you as a participant during the race. All participants must check in and out from each of the five checkpoints. At all checkpoints there are Salomon Xreid Crew. Routines at the checkpoints are simple. No matter if it ’s day or night you need to make contact with the crew and identify your team or yourself. If the crew consider that you and your equipment are in decent condition you can continue your journey. All checkpoints are official cabins operated by the Norwegian Trekking Association. If you decide to buy something during the race, they will accept cash (NOK).

There will be various food available at each checkpoint. A more detailed description of the food will be specified in an email to all participants a couple of weeks before the race starts. Please bring special requests of food in your special needs bags.

Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda has a great focus on the environment and nature. You will not see crew anywhere during the course other than at the checkpoints. The event wants to have as little motorised traffic as possible and work closely with the County of Buskerud and Telemark, the Norwegian authorities and the community of Rjukan, Nore Uvdal and Eidfjord.

Rocky terrainThe final climb towards Mt. Gausta is not flatlands. This is our definition of steep, technical trail.

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Ustaoset – Rauhelleren, 35 km: › Keynotes: Technical trail 32 km and gravel road 3 km

The firing of a shotgun will start the race and this is your call to action. The first section of 5 km is mixed trail and gravel road. Remember to pay attention to your GPS at all junctions the first kilometers. With dust on your shoes you

DESCRIPTION OF THE RACEwill head into the last wilderness of Europe; Hardangervidda. The upcoming 32 km are technical trails and this area will represent what is to be expected until Checkpoint Kalhovd (77 km). Most likely you will be quite close to other participants during this leg and this is a perfect opportunity to be social with other participants. First checkpoint is Rauhelleren and this checkpoint is located near to lake Langesjøen.

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The cabin is run by the Norwegian-Trekking-Association family.

Rauhelleren – Mårbu, 21 km: › Keynotes: Technical trail 21 km. Pay attention to your GPS.

This section is a beauty. You will not climb the highest mountain at this stage, but it will give you a reminder of why you signed up for this experience. After leaving Rauhelleren you will head towards the Reinvass valley (the Norwegian meaning of wild reindeer is rein). We are always referring to Hardangervidda as a mountain plateau, but you will discover that the meaning of plateau is not necessary flat and easy. The terrain is rolling and hilly. Checkpoint Mårbu is located by a lake called Mår. Our crew will access this checkpoint by boat. If you decide to withdraw from the race at this point, the only way out, except by running, is by boat. The boat trip costs 200 NOK per person and this cost is not included in your start fee. Because of this, all participants need to bring 200 NOK in safety cash in their backpack. This is also listed among the mandatory equipment.

Mårbu – Kalhovd, 21 km: › Keynotes: Technical trail 21 km. River crossings. Pay attention to your GPS.

After leaving the friendly cabin Mårbu you will face a demanding section of this experience. Once again (and in the dark) you will realise: This mountain plateau is not flat at all. With the company of your headlamp you will continue to move forward in hilly terrain. The trail is tech-nical and if you still have a lot of energy left, the uphill covering of marsh will do its best to steal your energy. This is a really quiet part of Hardangervidda, remember to enjoy the silence and to breathe the freshest air .

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Kalhovd – Helberghytta, 22 km: › Keynotes: Gravel road 11 km and Technical trail 11 km

After leaving Checkpoint Kalhovd you will head onto gravel road for 11 km. With 77 km of technical trails in your backpack before, this section will be a relief for a couple of kilometres. The terrain is roll-ing, with some sections of flatlands. On this road you will see the finish line and it will probably give you some new fresh energy and the fact that you are moving towards a cabin named after one of the guys sabotaged the heavy water fabric at Vemork in 1943 should inspire even the most tired runner. Before we send you on the trails again, there will be a medical checkpoint. If you are not good-to-go at this checkpoint our professional medics will either pull you out of the experience. This medical check-point is for your own safety,

please respect our professional medics doing their job. If you are decided good-to-go you will face technical trail in rolling terrain for the next hours. It is important that you notice the junc-tion 400 meters before Hellberghytta.

Helberghytta – Vemork, 15 km: › Keynotes: Gravel/asphalt road 7 km and Technical trail 8 km

The first 8 km is rolling hills and if you discover a valley in front of you, there is nothing wrong with your navigation skills. A major downhill awaits you. The 19 hairpins will take you closer to checkpoint Vemork. It is good advice not to break the speed of sound in this downhill section. Before you enter historical ground there is 4-5 km of asphalt road. Checkpoint Vemork is a very special place and if you read some litterature prior to this experience, it will probably give you energy to get there.Please note that the cut-off time at checkpoint Vemork (28 hours) will be strictly enforced for safety reasons.

Vemork – Mt. Gaustatoppen, 14 km: › Key notes: Very difficult technical trail 14 km. Pay close attention to the GPS.

At Vemork you will enter the hill of your lifetime. The first part of the hill you will be following a trail without seeing too much of the sky. In this section you will only sense that there is a mountain above your head. If the weather turns bad you will have to finish Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda at a lower trail. This alternative finish is a 7 km trail on the north side of Mt. Gausta.

After this first major hill climb you will face rolling terrain for a couple of kilometers. When entering Gausdalen the terrain goes from technical trail to technical rocky trail. It`s hard to describe the finale of Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda, but you should expect the worst and hope for the best. Please note that if bad weather occurs at

Mt. Gausta all participants will be directed to the

alternative finish.

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RULESRules are minimum sets of requirements. In addition we expect common sense and further consideration, due to this race, from all participants. Rules may be changed according to the weather conditions until the start.

General › Declaration forms must be signed and delivered by all participants at registration.

› It is forbidden to throw garbage on the route. You will find garbage deposits at check point Kalhovd and Vemork. Breaking this rule gets you an auto-matic disqualification.

› Organisers and officials can take participants out of the race for safety reasons.

Who can participate?Men/ women over 18 years can participate.

ClassTeam consisting of 2-4 participants.

› The mix of men and women within the team are up to the team.

› The team needs to have a Team Leader, responsible for the team staying together at all times. Furthermore he/ she must be able to navigate using map, compass and GPS.

Single › High standards of mountain running achievements and ability to navigate using map, compass and GPS.

› Applicants for the single class need to confirm that they are familiar with navigation in harsh weather and also document an experience covering a great distance.

RouteThe entire route will follow official trails marked by The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT), but at all trail junctions you will have to check your map, compass or GPS.Route with waypoints for the GPS must be downloaded on our website and installed on your GPS device. The route must be followed at all times for your own safety.The route will be changed if there is a conflict with the wild reindeer population at Hardangervidda.

Help and assistanceThe race is “unsupported”, but there are a few exceptions. It is allowed to get help and assistance from family or friends at the official checkpoints. It is also allowed to be accompanied by a family member or friend from checkpoint Vemork to Mt. Gausta. Please note that we cannot guarantee an available seat in the lift, that will bring all participants down from the mountain. If there is an available seat in the lif t your support will have to pay for this trip.

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› If an emergency situation occurs, it is your duty to help.

› Trekking poles are allowed.

Rule Violations › Penalties/ disqualification may be given for violations of rules, unsportsmanlike behavior, or if participants intentionally expose themselves or other participants to unnecessary risk.

› Penalties from organisers and officials can be additional race time or disqualification.

DNF › If an individual participant withdraws during the race there is limited transport out of the mountains. Please be patient with us.

› The teams must consist of 2-4 runners, but the team must finish with a minimum of 2 runners. It is not allowed for a team to split up between the checkpoints and be separated from each other. This is very important for your team’s safety.

SPECIAL NEEDS BAGSCheckpoint Kalhovd (after 77 km) and Vemork (after 114 km)will provide special needs bags for all participants. At registration all participant will be given two different bags marked with their start number. These bags can be filled with your favorite food and drinks, new running shoes, socks or whatever you want. Please note that all mandatory equipment must be in your backpack from start to finish. Also note that even though we will do our best to keep an eye on the bags, we cannot be liable for the contents during the race. The special need bag at Vemork must contain warm clothes (such as a down jacket), the temperature towards the summit will be around 2-3 Celsius, even in July.

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SUPPORT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDSIf you decide to bring family or friends to the event, this will add great value to your experience. Make sure your support have read the following information:

› Friendly spots with access to roads along the route: Ustaoset, Kalhovd and Vemork.

› It is allowed to be supported from Checkpoint Vemork to Mt. Gausta. Please note that all support, family or friends will have to pay for the lift transport on Mt. Gausta.

Checkpoint Kalhovd:The drive from Ustaoset to Kalhovd is estimated at 3 hours. The roadmap from Dyranut to Kalhovd will be provided later through email. Kalhovd offers friendly accommodation and food for all support. This is a great spot if your support wants to have a taste of Hardangervidda.

Checkpoint Vemork:From checkpoint Kalhovd to Vemork there is a drive of 1 hour 50 minutes, take a look at the roadmap here. Rjukan is a small town and the participants will check in at the square. This is also the shining spot of the sun mirror in Rjukan.

Checkpoint Vemork – Mt. Gausta:It is allowed to give support and pace the par-ticipant from checkpoint Vemork to Mt. Gausta. This is a challenging route and support should be fit and experienced and bring appropriate equipment.

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By plane, Oslo Gardermoen Airport:How to get to Ustaoset by train:Departure from Oslo Lufthavn: 07:47 (Wednesday and Thursday), 11:13(Wednesday and Thursday), 14:43 (Wednesday and Thursday) and 22:43 (Wednesday) Arrival Ustaoset: 12:07 (Wednesday and Thursday), 15:51(Wednesday and Thursday), 19:06 Wednesdayand Thursday) or 03:34 (Thursday) Return:There will be transport organised by Xreid from Gaustablikk to Kongsberg Train Station with departure Sunday 4th July 11:30. Online booking at www.topptid.no before June 26th.

There are departures every hour from Kongsberg to Oslo Lufthavn.

Book your traintickets at www.nsb.no

By plane, Moss Rygge Airport:How to get to Ustaoset:Departure from Rygge: 06:56 (Wednesday or Thursday) 10:58 (Wednesday or Thursday), 13:56 (Wednesday or Thursday) or 21:56 (Wednesday)

Arrival Ustaoset: 12:07 (Wednesday or Thursday) 15:51 (Wednesday or Thursday), 19:06 (Wednesday or Thursday) or 03:34 (Thursday)

TRAVEL ADVICE

Return:There will be transport organised by Xreid from Gaustablikk to Kongsberg Train Station with departure Sunday 4th July 11:30. Online booking at www.topptid.no before June 27th.

There are departures every hour from Kongsberg to Rygge.

Book your traintickets at www.nsb.no

By plane, Sandefjord Torp Airport:How to get to Ustaoset by train:Departure from Torp: 07:42 (Wednesday and Thursday), 10:42 (Wednesday and Thursday),14:42 (Wednesday and Thursday) or 22:42 (Wednesday).

Arrival Ustaoset: 12:07 (Wednesday and Thursday), 15:51 (Wednesday and Thursday),19:06 (Wednesday and Thursday) or 03:34 (Thursday).

Return:There will be transport organised by Xreid from Gaustablikk to Kongsberg Train Station with departure Sunday 6th July 11:30. Online booking at www.topptid.no before June 27th.

There are departures every hour from 14:35 from Kongsberg to Torp.

Book your traintickets at www.nsb.no

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Drive your own car to Ustaoset (start):If your journey includes family, friends or support, an option is simply just to drive your own car straight to Ustaoset. Your support, friends or family can then get your car to Gaustablikk.

Drive your own car to Gaustablikk (finish):If you or your team are doing this experience all by yourself this is a great option. Leave your car at Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell and join our transport from Gaustablikk to Ustaoset.

This transport will depart from Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell Friday 3th July 07:30. Online booking at www.topptid.no before June 15th.

Accommodation:

Accommodation for the participants, their family and friends is available in Gaustablikk and Ustaoset.They both have a special offer for all participants and support. If you plan to park your car at Gaustablikk we suggest package 1. If you plan to bring family or friends with you we would recommend packages 2 and 3.

Package 1Gaustablikk: Thursday July 2th – Friday July 3th including dinner Thursday and breakfast Friday.Gaustablikk: Saturday July 4th – Sunday July 5th including dinner Saturday (optionally lunch Sunday) and breakfast Sunday.

Total price of package 1: 1850 NOK per person.

Book your stay by sending an email to this address: gaustablikk@gaustablikk.no (refer to Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda).

Package 2 Gaustablikk: Saturday July 4th – Sunday July 5th including dinner Saturday (optionally lunch Sunday) and breakfast Sunday.

Total price of package 2: 925 NOK per person.

Book your stay by sending an email to this address: gaustablikk@gaustablikk.no (refer to Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda).

Package 3 Ustaoset: Thursday July 2th – Friday July 3th

Appartment with room for 2-3 persons (includ-ing final cleaning) NOK 1000 per night.

Appartment with room for 4-5 persons (includ-ing final cleaning) NOK 1300 per night.

In these appartmens you can cook your own food and enjoy a private stay in nice surround-ings.

Book your stay by sending an email to this ad-dress: post@ustaoset.no

TOURIST INFORMATION

http://www.visitrjukan.com/http://www.gaustablikk.no/en/sider/home.htmlhttp://www.ustaoset.no

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EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONSHardangervidda is one of Europe’s last wildernesses and you will be amazed by the silence up there. While the 2013 was held in near to perfect conditions it was a rough situation for all participants last year. The weather conditions at the final leg between Rjukan and Mt. Gausta were harsh. The organisers had to pair up all individual participants at the final medical checkpoint and all participants finished this experience in rough weather (wind speed: 17-20 m/s, rain and fog) We don`t expect these conditions every year, but you should prepare your special need bag at Vemork with this information in mind.

What weather conditions should you prepare for? › 10 – 12 Celsius during daytime and 2 – 5 Celsius at night.Expect wind up to a strength of 12 – 14 m/s

› All 4 seasons could be represented in 24 hours. Hardangervidda is very unpredictable, this is one of the reasons polar explorers live the slogan: Train hard, fight easy.

Friendly advice from previous Salomon Xreid Hardangervidda participants:

› Start in a slow controlled pace and don`t try to keep up with somebody going at a higher pace.

› Prepare your feet and seek advice from experienced ultrarunners if you are a novice.

› Use your energy wisely – there is no point running across the boulders and bogs if you end up walking the easy tracks.

› Study the map and course in detail before the experience.

› Bring insect repellent. › Bring more insect repellent. › Prepare for all four seasons at Hardangervidda. › Be patient and stay calm if anything goes wrong.

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DECLARATIONThis document will be signed at the registration on Gaustablikk or Ustaoset. By signing this document I am aware of and agree to the following:

ALL PARTICIPANTS: › I am aware of the risks and dangers of participating in this competition. › I confirm that I am in good physical and mental shape. › I know what to do if an emergency situation happens. › All of my personal equipment is in good condition, and I have full responsibility for my personal gear from start to finish.

› Officials and crew can take me out of the race if it is judged harmful or improper for me to continue the race. › Participation is at the participant’s own risk › The organisers may publish photographs of the participants without asking for permission. › The route is not marked. I can navigate in the mountains, with GPS, map and compass. › If the event/ race is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, my entry fee will not be refunded.

› I am obliged to help others if an emergency occurs. › I will stay together with my team mate/s at all times during the race. › Still images and moving images from the event can be published in media, social media and official films, by signing this document you give us the permission to publish.

TEAM LEADER/ INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS: › I can add waypoints/ routes on the GPS, and navigate using GPS. › I have experience in the mountains and know what to do in an emergency situation. › I have experience of taking care of a team and myself in harsh conditions. › If the yellowbrick tracking unit is lost or not delievered to the organisation within Sunday July 6th 13:00 I will have to pay for the unit, this unit costs 5000 NOK.

By signing this document I confirm that I have read and understood this document

Place: Date: day/month/year

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____Name of competitor (Write in capital letters)

Competitor’s signature

Name of emergency contact person

Phone number for emergency contact person during the race including Countrycode:

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NOTES

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www.xreid.com