Vagamon ULtrail offers two categories in the 2021 edition – Fun Run and 60K

• The Fun Run is a new category introduced last year – primarily for those who wants to run their first trail race. It is a point to point race on our course taking runners through the tea estates, slush & single path trails. Believe us, it will be FUN and will definitely get you addicted to trail running. The fun will last approximately 32 Kilometers.

The event will start at 07:00 AM from Vagamon Eco Adventure Park and will finish at St. Thomas LP School, Pullikanam. Runners are required to report at 05:45 AM & collect their bib. The course map can be accessed here. There is no stage cut-off and final cut-off. Everyone who finishes will be awarded a medal.

• The 60K run is a point to point course taking runners through the most beautiful locales in Vagamon while still posing enough challenges for a regular marathon runner. The course takes you through different terrains.

The event starts just before day break at 05:30 AM from Vagamon Eco Adventure Park (popularly known as suicide point). Runners are required to report at 04:30 AM & collect their bibs. The course map can be accessed here. Runners in this category are given a total of 12 hours from the start of the race to finish the 60K event, i.e a finish no later than 05:30 PM. However, runners must pass two stage cut-offs; First one at approximately 25 Km by 10:30 AM (5 Hours from start) & second one at approximately 42 Km by 02:00 PM (8.5 hours from start). The race finishes at St. Thomas LP School, Pullikanam.

Note 1: All time and distance mentioned here are tentative and subject to very minor changes, which will be confirmed a week before the race.

Note 2: Runners still on the course after the cut-off time (both stage and overall cut-offs) will be picked up by the sweep vehicles and will not be permitted to continue the race. There will be no exception as the cut-off times are implemented to ensure local government body guidelines.

Considering all challenges posed by the course and weather in Vagamon, the participants must meet the following criteria:

• For registering for 60K, Registrants must have completed a Full Marathon in 05:15Hrs OR any Ultra Marathon within the cut-off time prescribed by the organizers of the race OR any trail race (no minimum distance) with more than 750m of elevation gain. For 12 hour runs like stadium runs, one must have atleast run 48 Kms.

• Races run after 01-Jul-2018 will only be considered as a qualifying race for Vagamon Ultrail 2021.

• After registration, If you cannot participate in the race for some reason, you should notify us by 31-May-2021 and get your registration cancelled. Your registration cannot be swapped with anyone else or carried over to future editions. We will issue a refund upto ₹2750/- for all such voluntary cancellations till 31-May-2021, subject to all race entries being filled as of the race day. If you don’t participate in the race without cancelling the registration or notifying us, you will only be allowed to enter this race again after 2 editions of Vagamon Ultrail (i.e. 2024).

• Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there is a possibility that Government agencies can enforce a ban on events. This could lead to a situation where we are not able to organize the race. In that scenario, where the event has to be cancelled, we will strive to issue a refund or move your registration to subsequent editions of Vagamon ULtrail. A decision on this would be taken later, depending on if and when the cancellation is enforced on us.

• Runners must submit the hyperlink to the timing certificate or a shareable result link or link to their ITRA profile during registration for 60K. If you have any questions about the qualification criteria, please email us and get your questions answered before registering.

• Anyone who registers without submitting or fulfilling the criteria will have their registration cancelled and entry fees forfeited.

• All participants will be required to upload a valid age proof (Driver’s License, Passport, PAN or Voter ID) and show them at the time of collecting the BIB. Foreign nationals will have to show their passport during bib collection. All participants are also required sign a waiver form prior to the event. Failure to do so will result in you not being allowed to participate in the event. Participants above 45 years must upload the proof of covid-19 vaccination. However, this doesn't give you immunity from other Govt. orders issued with respect to travelers entering the state of Kerala from outside. If a Government notification requires you to present a Negative RTPCR certificate at the time of your entry to the state, then you will have to arrange that separately.

• You accept complete responsibility for any injury, physical or otherwise, that may be caused to you during the event, or while on the premises of the event.

• Runners are required to check-in and collect their bibs/race-kits personally. Runners cannot authorise a third party to collect the bib/race-kit on their behalf.

• You will wear the official bib provided by the organisers throughout the event. If you take your bib off for any reason whatsoever, you will be awarded a DNF (did-not-finish).

• Only finishers within the cut-off time will be entitled to receive their official timing and finisher medal.

• The organiser reserves the right to cancel, postpone or delay the event due to any unforeseen circumstances beyond its control and at its discretion. The organiser shall not be liable in respect to any entry fees, costs and expenses that a participant may incur as a result of such cancellation or postponement.

• You consent to the free use of your name, voice, picture or video in any broadcast, telecast, advertising, promotion or other account of this event.

• You must ensure that you provide correct details during the registration process and inform the organiser well in advance of the race, of any changes. If your contact information changes after the submission for the registration, the organiser must be notified by email well in advance of the event.

• The course of the Vagamon Ultrail takes you through areas under the control of the Forests Department. Please be sensitive to the environment and do not disturb the surrounding flora and fauna in any manner. Runners are required to run along the marked track only. Runners may encounter barking deer and jungle fowl. They are harmless and typically very shy. You may consider yourself lucky if you find them en-route. The area and the course is also a habitat for a variety of snakes. Please do take due care and exercise caution. While the organiser will do its best to take adequate precautions, the runners will not hold the organisers, hosts, owners/management/custodian of the estates or anyone else responsible for any injuries or incidents, including death.

• The race officials’ decisions are final and binding in all situations. You will agree to cooperate with race officials, volunteers and other personnel during the event.

• The organiser reserves the right to refuse an entrant’s attendance at, or participation in, the race. Any participant who is found putting themselves or anyone else at risk will be immediately evicted from the course and event venue.

• The organiser shall reserve the right to remove, ban or exclude any participant who is found in breach of these terms and conditions.

• Registration for 45 year old and above will only be allowed if they have completed both doses of vaccination. They are required to upload the proof of vaccination during the registration.

• Total number of runners allowed for Vagamon Ultrail 60K is 150 runners which starts at 05:30 AM from Vagamon Eco adventure park on 12-Jun-2021

• Total number of runners allowed for Vagmon ULtrail 30K (Fun Run) is 100 runners which starts at 07:00 AM from Vagamon Eco adventure park on 12-Jun-2021

• At any point of time, not more than 30 runners will be allowed in any aid stations.

• Every runners will be advised to carry their own water bottle or hydration bag. Disposable paper plates (eco friendly) will be used for serving food to the runners.

• Sanitisers will be made available at start location, finish location and at all aid stations. Runners will be encouraged to use sanitisers at all aid stations.

• Volunteers of the race will wear face mask at all times.

• Runners will wear face mask at all times before the start of the race and after they finish the race. The only time they won't be able to wear the mask is when they would be running.

• Social distancing will be strictly followed at the start and finish. Runners will start in a batch of 30 with a gap of 5 minutes to implement social distancing also on the course.

• Government regulations for outstation runners (in terms of testing & quarantine) will be enforced strictly. All international runners will be allowed to participate only if they have reached the state atleast by 01-Jun-2021

Pre-Race Snacks (04:30 AM – 06:45 AM, Saturday, June 12th, 2021)

Some snacks will be provided for quick bite at the start point prior to the commencement of the race.

In-Race Snacks and Hydration

Aid stations with water, energy drinks from our Nutrition Partner (Unived Sports), fruits etc. will be set up at average intervals of 10 Km along the course. This is very different from last year and every runner (whether Fun or Ultra) should mandatorily carry a 1L bottle with them at all times.

The aid stations will be well-stocked with water, energy drinks from our Nutrition Partner, fruits etc. during the race. The rest areas along the course will be additionally stocked with some light snacks. We will also provide cooked food at specific aid stations/rest areas, which will be communicated closer to the race day. Warm drinks will also be made available at rest areas and will be served in reusable coconut shells. We will continue to use reusable cups/Water Dispensers for Energy drinks & Water at aid stations and rest areas. Participants are also free to bring their own. Since Vagamon is an ecologically sensitive area, we will be providing water and energy drinks only in reusable plastic cups. We will not be providing water in disposable plastic bottles at aid stations/rest areas.

We will use vegan RRUN During as energy drink during the run. The RRUN During is a blend of high GI-carbohydrate, electrolytes, amino-acids and a key osmolyte and ensures adequate hydration and endurance through the run. RRUN comes from the House of Unived Sports.

Runners may feel free to carry their own fuel for use during the race. However, should you do so, please ensure that you do not throw any trash around and carry it back with you.

Since aid stations will be far and in-between, it is unlikely that runners will find alternate sources of hydration given the remoteness of our location, we strongly recommend that runners carry a water bottle or hydration pack on them. This will be checked at the start and you will not be allowed to start without this mandatory gear. Please also ensure that the bottle(s) and/or hydration pack(s) are refilled at every opportunity from the aid stations. This will ensure that you have water available on you in case of an emergency. You may pass by streams along the course and the waters may not be potable, and we suggest that you not fill-up here.

Post-Race Meal

A post-race meal will be provided to all participants at the finish.

Medical assistance

There will be a dedicated medical team at the start line and the finish lines. Medical stations will be located strategically along the course taking road accessibility into consideration. Should the medical staff find you to be unfit to continue the race at any time, you will be pulled out of the run. Runners are requested to strictly abide by the instructions of the medical staff.

Toilets

Toilets will be available near all the rest areas for the participants. These will be provided at an average of every 10 Km. Please respect the course through which you run by making use of these facilities, if needed. Shower facilities will be made available at the finish.

Baggage Counter

A baggage counter will be available at the start-line of all categories. The bags received will be made available at the finish line. However, for those participants who have opted for the travel and accommodation package, your luggage have to be tagged and kept outside the hotel, which will be made available again at the finish.

However, there is no drop bag facility for both 60K & Fun Runners. Drop bags are typically those personal belongs put together in a bag, made accessible at specific points during the race.

Accommodation and Transportation Facilities

More details in the Travel & Accommodation section of our website.

Shuttle Service

Shuttle service will be provided to all runners who have even not availed transport & accommodation package and want to move from the finish to the start line.

Medals, Certificates & Accolades

Medals will be awarded to all runners who finish within the cut-off. Certificates will also be made available online to all finishers. Results will be uploaded to ITRA for 60K runners who have finished within the cut-off. There is no prize money or awards for podium finishers as we believe that all participants are winners.

Hydration Bag / Water Bottle

Hydration Bag or a Water Bottle (1L) is mandatory for all runners, including the Fun Runners. It can get very hot between 10:00 AM & 02:00 PM (if not raining) and runners must be self sufficient between the aid stations. Water can be filled from the dispensers kept in Aid Stations or can be consumed in reusable plastic cups. We won’t provide plastic bottles at the start, finish or at the Aid stations.

Mobile phones

It is also highly recommended that runners carry their mobile phones. While network is expected to be patchy, in the event of any emergency, runners may be able to contact race officials (whose numbers will be provided to all participants in advance). From our experience, we have seen that BSNL has reasonably better coverage along the course. Please remember to carry a pouch for your mobile that will protect it from rain.

Whistle

Every runner is also advised to bring a whistle and to carry the same all through the race. However, runners are requested to use the whistles ONLY in case of an emergency, and in order to help volunteers and race officials find you.

Sun protection

We recommend that you carry necessary protection against the sun, which may include sun screen, cap, sleeves, shades etc.

Rain protection

Its monsoon and brace for rain and more rain.. The course will be very slippery. The run will be conducted regardless of the weather unless it poses serious safety hazards.

Footwear

The course is not bare-foot friendly. However, from our experience, minimalist trail footwear seems to work along the course.

Checklist

Runners are expected to prepare their running gear and drop-bag well in advance of the race. However, an indicative list of items that you may use for reference is as follows:

• Running shorts/pants

• Running T-shirt/singlet

• Running shoes

• Rain jacket

• Socks (we recommend you carry at least two pairs)

• Water bottle or hydration bag (This is mandatory)

• Cap/hat/visor/headband, sweatband, sleeves

• Watch, heart rate monitor and other tracking devices

• Mobile phone (fully charged)

• Vaseline or Bodyglide

• Change of clothes post run

• First aid kit

• Running gels and other fuels that you normally use

• Sunscreen