Race Regulation MDS Legendary 2027

PREAMBLE

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. ORGANISATION

Article 2. DEFINITIONS

Article 3. HIERARCHY OF CONTRACTUAL DOCUMENTS

Article 4. REFERENCE DATE AND CALCULATION OF TIME LIMITS

Article 5. 

Article 6. REGIME APPLICABLE TO TRAVEL SERVICES

Article 7. ABSENCE OF RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

II. SPORTING REGULATIONS

Article 8. DEFINITION OF THE SPORTING EVENT

Article 9. CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION

Article 10. CATEGORIES / INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM PARTICIPATION

Article 11. IDICATIVE PROGRAMME

Article 12. TECHNICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MEDICAL CHECKS

Article 13. IDENTIFICATION MARKS / RACE BIBS / GPS BEACON

Article 14. INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP

Article 15. STARTS / STAGES / CHECKPOINTS / CLASSIFICATION

Article 16. BIVOUAC / WATER SUPPLY / ENVIRONMENT

Article 17. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE / MEDICAL AUTHORITY / CONSENT TO TREATMENT

Article 18. WITHDRAWAL / DISQUALIFICATION

Article 19. OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE / SELF-SUFFICIENCY / ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Article 20. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS / COURSE / ROADBOOK

Article 21. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT AND FOOD

Article 22. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE / ELECTROCARDIOGRAM / PHYSICAL FITNESS

Article 23. HEALTH POLICY AND ANTI-DOPING

Article 24. GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF PENALTIES AND SPORTING SANCTIONS

Article 25. PENALTY TABLE

Article 26. SPORTING CLAIMS

Article 27. USE OF IMAGES

Article 28. PRIZE LIST / PRIZE MONEY / TROPHIES AND AWARDS

III. CONDITIONS GÉNÉRALES DE VENTE

Article 29. OFFERS / PRICES / INCLUDED SERVICES

Article 30. REGISTRATION / PAYMENT / WAITING LIST

Article 31. ADMINISTRATIVE, HEALTH AND MEDICAL FORMALITIES

Article 32. CANCELLATION BY THE PARTICIPANTS

Article 33. POSTPONEMENT OF REGISTRATION

Article 34. PERSONAL REGISTRATION

Article 35. MODIFICATION REQUESTED BY THE PARTICIPANT

Article 36. UNUSED SERVICES / NO-SHOW / PERSONAL INABILITY TO PARTICIPATE

Article 37. UNAVOIDABLE AND EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

Article 38. MODIFICATION, INTERRUPTION, POSTPONEMENT OR CANCELLATION BY THE ORGANISATION

Article 39. INSURANCE

Article 40. LIABILITY OF THE ORGANISATION

Article 41. LIABILITY AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTICIPANTS

Article 42. PERSONAL BELONGINGS / EQUIPMENT / VALUABLES / BAGGAGE ENTRUSTED TO THE ORGANISATION

Article 43. PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION

Article 44. CONTACT

Article 45. COMPLAINTS

Article 46. GOVERNING LAW / LANGUAGE

Article 47. FINAL PROVISIONS

This document constitutes the Sporting Regulations and General Terms and Conditions of Sale applicable to registration, participation and services provided in connection with the MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY (the "Event").

Its purpose is to define the sporting, medical, administrative, logistical, financial and contractual conditions applicable to the Event.

Registration for the Event constitutes full, complete and unconditional acceptance of these Regulations, the Event Factsheet specific to the relevant edition, as well as the appendices, notices, forms, roadbook, safety instructions, medical documents and practical information communicated by the Organisation.

The Participant acknowledges that the MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY is an extreme sporting event taking place in a desert environment, under particular physical, climatic, logistical and medical conditions, requiring excellent physical condition, appropriate preparation, a high degree of personal self-sufficiency, constant vigilance and strict compliance with the Organisation's instructions.

The MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY is above all an endurance sporting adventure in a desert environment, organised under particular and demanding conditions.

Registration includes, depending on the edition and the package selected, various services necessary for the organisation, operation and safety of the Event, including sporting, logistical, medical, assistance, accommodation and transport services.

The purpose of these Regulations is to define the conditions of participation in the Event, the services included in the registration, as well as the respective rights and obligations of the Organisation and the Participants.

Effective participation in the Event remains subject to each Participant's compliance with the sporting, medical, administrative, health, technical and safety requirements set out in these Regulations.

Article 1. ORGANISATION

The Event is organised and marketed by WHAT AN ADVENTURE (WAA), a simplified joint-stock company with a sole shareholder and share capital of €600,000, whose registered office is located at 66 avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris (75008), registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 504 009 515 (hereinafter referred to as "WAA").

WAA is registered in the register of travel and holiday operators maintained by Atout France under number IM075240024.

WAA holds:

• a financial guarantee subscribed with Groupama Assurance-Crédit & Caution, 8-10 rue d'Astorg, 75008 Paris (management headquarters: 3 place Marcel Paul, 92000 Nanterre), contract no. 4000718552/0;
• professional civil liability insurance subscribed with Hiscox SA, 49 avenue de l'Opéra, 75002 Paris, covering the financial consequences of its professional civil liability.

Contact details, dates, the estimated number of Participants, available packages, prices, accommodation, transfers, logistical arrangements and information specific to each edition are set out in the Event Factsheet.

For the purposes of these Regulations, the terms below shall have the following meanings.

"Event" means the edition of the MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY referred to in the Event Factsheet, including the race, technical, administrative and medical checks, transfers, the bivouac, hotel, logistical, medical and safety services and, more generally, all services included in the registration.

"Event Start Date" (D) means the first official day on which Participants are taken in charge by the Organisation, as indicated in the Event Factsheet.

"Race Start Date" means the day of the actual start of the first timed or sporting stage, as indicated in the Event Factsheet, the final programme or the roadbook.

"Event Factsheet" means the document or registration page specific to each edition, setting out the variable information: dates, locations, prices, breakdown of the price between the Sporting Portion and the Travel Portion, options, accommodation, transfers, payment terms, indicative programme, special conditions and practical information.

"Sporting Portion" means the portion of the price corresponding to services related to the sporting organisation of the Event, including participation rights, race bib, race supervision, timing, course marking, checkpoints, water supply, race bivouac, safety arrangements, race medical monitoring, rankings, medal, any prizes and items provided to Participants.

"Travel Portion" means the portion of the price corresponding to transport, transfer, accommodation or other travel services expressly identified in the Event Factsheet as included in the subscribed package. The Event Factsheet specifies, for each package, the indicative breakdown of the price between the Sporting Portion and the Travel Portion.

"Participant" means any person registered for the Event. During the race, the Participant may also be referred to as a "Competitor".

"Organisation" or "Organiser" means WAA as well as, for the purposes of the operational implementation of the Event, its directors, employees, agents, service providers, medical teams, volunteers, representatives and, more generally, any Accredited Person involved in the organisation, safety, logistics, medical assistance or monitoring of the Event.

"Accredited Person" means any person authorised by the Organisation to intervene in connection with the Event, including employees, service providers, volunteers and members of the medical teams.

"Regulations" means these Sporting Regulations and General Terms and Conditions of Sale, in the version in force on the date of registration.

"Services" means all services included in the registration, as described in these Regulations and in the Event Factsheet.

"Roadbook" means the route guide provided or made available to Participants, containing in particular information relating to the stages, route, checkpoints, schedules, safety instructions and essential sporting information.

The contractual documents applicable to registration for and participation in the Event are as follows:

• these Regulations;
• the Event Factsheet specific to the relevant edition;
• the standard information form applicable to travel services, where required;
• the assistance notice;
• the registration form, the registration confirmation and, where applicable, the special payment conditions;
• the roadbook, safety instructions, briefings, operational communications and instructions issued by the Organisation.

The Event Factsheet sets out the variable information specific to the relevant edition, including dates, locations, services, packages, prices, cancellation and postponement thresholds, practical information, formalities and logistical arrangements.

In the event of any inconsistency between the documents, the special conditions specific to the relevant edition shall prevail over the general provisions of these Regulations, unless otherwise required by mandatory legal provisions. Safety instructions, medical decisions, race management decisions and operational instructions communicated by the Organisation during the Event shall prevail, for the purposes of their immediate implementation, over any contrary provision.

For the purposes of these Regulations, time limits expressed in days before the Event shall be calculated by reference to the Event Start Date (D), unless expressly stated otherwise in the Event Factsheet.

The Event Factsheet sets out, for practical purposes, the calendar dates corresponding to the thresholds expressed as D-[x].

For rights and time limits arising from the legal provisions applicable to the travel services included in the subscribed package, the starting point shall be determined by reference to the first day of performance of the relevant services, as indicated in the Event Factsheet.

Prior to registration, the Participant acknowledges having received, or having had access to, clear and comprehensible information regarding the identity of the Organisation, the essential characteristics of the Event, the level of physical demand, medical constraints, the risks inherent in the Event, the Services included and excluded, the price and its breakdown, payment terms, cancellation and postponement conditions, administrative, health and medical formalities, applicable or recommended insurance, the contact details of the financial guarantor and the competent mediator, as well as the rights applicable to the travel services included in the subscribed package.

The standard information form relating to the travel services included in the subscribed package is set out, where required, in Appendix 1 and is provided to the Participant prior to the conclusion of the contract.

By registering, the Participant:

• accepts these Regulations in their entirety;
• acknowledges having been informed of the extreme nature of the Event and of its physical, medical, climatic, logistical and safety constraints;
• acknowledges having been informed that obtaining and presenting a compliant MDS medical certificate and electrocardiogram constitute personal conditions for effective participation, without constituting a condition for reimbursement of the registration fee;
• acknowledges having been informed of the benefit of taking out cancellation insurance covering, in particular, illness, accident, injury, medical contraindication and personal circumstances preventing participation;
• undertakes to comply with all decisions, instructions and directions issued by the Organisation and Accredited Persons.

Certain services included in the registration may be subject to the regulations applicable to travel and holiday operators, in particular where they include transport, transfer or accommodation services.

For such services, the Participant shall benefit from the rights provided for under the applicable legal provisions.

Effective participation in the Event shall nevertheless remain subject to compliance with the sporting, medical, administrative, health, technical and safety conditions set out in these Regulations.

The Participant's personal obligations, in particular those relating to physical fitness, health condition, medical documents, administrative and health formalities, equipment, personal insurance and compliance with the Organisation's instructions, shall remain the Participant's sole responsibility.

The breakdown of the price between the Sporting Portion and the Travel Portion, where indicated in the Event Factsheet, is intended to detail the various components of the registration and to facilitate the practical application of these Regulations, subject to any applicable mandatory legal provisions.

The Participant shall not benefit from any right of withdrawal in relation to registration for the Event, insofar as the Services are provided on a specific date or according to a specific period, in accordance with Article L.221-28, 12° of the French Consumer Code.

The Participant acknowledges that the Event is organised on specific dates and that registration entails the reservation of a personal place in an event for which the number of Participants is limited.

Registration shall be binding upon validation and payment of all or part of the price, subject only to the cancellation, postponement or termination rights expressly provided for in these Regulations or under any applicable mandatory legal provisions.

Article 8. DEFINITION OF THE SPORTING EVENT

The MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY is a foot race, open to walkers, conducted in stages, under food self-sufficiency conditions and at a free pace, over a total distance of approximately 250 kilometres, unless otherwise specified in the Event Factsheet or modified by the Organisation for reasons of safety, terrain conditions, weather, logistics or any other operational necessity.

Each Participant must carry their personal equipment, food and mandatory gear. The Event takes place in a desert environment, under conditions that may be difficult, particularly due to heat, cold night-time temperatures, wind, sand, the nature of the terrain, distance, fatigue, isolation, food self-sufficiency requirements and the potential remoteness of medical facilities.

Any person shall be admitted as a Participant who:

• has reached the age of majority on the Event Start Date;
• is duly registered and has paid the registration fee in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions;
• complies with the requirements of these Regulations;
• holds the required administrative, health and medical documents;
• holds a compliant MDS medical certificate and a resting electrocardiogram, together with its tracing, in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation;
• does not present, in the opinion of the medical team or the Medical Director, any contraindication to participation.

Minors are not permitted to start the Event. Due to the specific nature of the Event, no accompanying person shall be permitted at the Event, except with the Organisation's prior and express authorisation.

The participation of a person with a disability or requiring specific assistance shall be assessed on a case-by-case basis, upon prior request and subject to the Organisation's express approval, having regard solely to the objective safety, self-sufficiency and logistical constraints specific to the Event.

The Organisation may refuse registration, participation in the start of the Event, or continued participation in the Event to any person who does not satisfy the requirements of these Regulations or whose participation may compromise their own safety, the safety of other Participants, the safety of Accredited Persons, or the proper conduct of the Event.

Each Participant shall be included in the individual general classification without distinction as to age, sex or level, subject to any specific classifications that may be provided for in the Event Factsheet. Age-category classifications shall be established by reference to the year of birth.

A team shall consist of a minimum of three Participants. It must be formed and declared prior to arrival on site, in accordance with the conditions specified by the Organisation. To remain classified, a team must at all times include at least three Participants still in the race. Each member of a team shall also be included individually in the general classification.

The withdrawal or disqualification of a member resulting in the team having fewer than three Participants shall result in the team's removal from the team classification, while the remaining members shall continue to be classified individually.

In the event of a tie for a prize-winning position, the corresponding cash prizes for the positions concerned shall be aggregated and then divided equally among the tied Participants, unless otherwise decided by the Organisation.

The indicative programme of the Event generally includes:

• a day dedicated to transfer to the bivouac, installation and an overnight stay at the bivouac;
• a day dedicated to technical, administrative and medical checks;
• several race stages, including one long stage taking place wholly or partly during the night;
• overnight stays at the bivouac;
• a final stage, followed by the medal ceremony and transfer to the hotel;
• a free day, a prize-giving ceremony and, where applicable, a gala evening;
• a final day marking the end of the Event and the organisation of return transfers.

The detailed programme specific to each edition is set out in the Event Factsheet. The programme is therefore indicative. The Organisation may modify the order, duration, nature, content, route or timetable of the stages, in particular for reasons relating to safety, weather conditions, terrain conditions, logistics, decisions of local authorities, public health considerations or any other constraint beyond its control.

The Participant acknowledges that the constraints inherent in an endurance event in a desert environment may require significant operational adaptations, including at short notice or during the Event itself, in order to ensure the safety of Participants and Accredited Persons and the proper conduct of the Event.

Each Participant must attend the technical, administrative and medical checks at the date, time and location specified by the Organisation. The Participant must have fulfilled all technical, administrative and medical requirements before being permitted to start the Event.

During these checks, the Organisation shall establish a detailed inventory of the Participant's equipment, including in particular mandatory equipment, personal belongings, food supplies and caloric value. Officials may carry out unannounced backpack inspections at any time, at the bivouac, at checkpoints, at the start, at the finish or during the Event, without the need to provide any justification.

Each item forming part of the Participant's equipment and included in the established inventory is strictly personal. In the event of failure to present any mandatory item, regardless of the reason, including loss, theft, omission, abandonment, damage or preparation error, the Participant shall be penalised or disqualified from the Event.

Each Participant is responsible for their equipment and must report any missing item, failing which penalties may be imposed. A Participant wishing to dispose of a personal item listed on their technical inspection form (excluding mandatory equipment) must inform the Organisation, which shall not assume responsibility for such item. During the race, no item contained in the Participant's backpack shall be taken into charge by the Organisation.

The Organisation shall provide each Participant, during the checks preceding the start, with the identification items required for the Event, including:

• two numbered race bibs measuring approximately 18 cm x 16 cm (one bib worn above the navel and one rear bib attached to the backpack);
• a GPS tracking and distress beacon;
• any other identification or timing device provided for the relevant edition.

Throughout the duration of the Event, the identification items must remain affixed to each Participant at all times, in a clean condition, fully visible, unaltered, in good condition and positioned in accordance with the Organisation's instructions. It is strictly prohibited to modify, falsify, conceal, cut, cover or otherwise alter the race bibs, the GPS beacon or any other device supplied by the Organisation. Race officials shall apply strict requirements regarding the positioning of race bibs.

The GPS beacon constitutes the sole official safety and tracking device of the Event. The Participant must check its proper functioning each morning before the start and immediately report any malfunction to the Organisation. The GPS beacon must be returned at the final finish or at any time upon request by the Organisation. Its loss, non-return or return in damaged condition shall result in the financial penalty specified in the Event Factsheet or in the table set out in Article 25. The Organisation shall provide replacement identification items in the event of deterioration or loss.

Except for the spaces reserved for the Organisation and its partners, the spaces available on the Participant's clothing and equipment may be used for the Participant's individual sponsorship.

The Organisation may, however, prohibit any individual sponsorship deemed excessive, inappropriate, contrary to applicable laws and regulations, public policy, accepted standards of decency, the image of the Event, or in direct competition with the Event or its partners.

The race bibs and identification items provided by the Organisation must remain visible at all times and comply with the Organisation's instructions.

Stage starts shall take place in accordance with the arrangements set out in the roadbook or communicated by the Organisation during the briefing. Each Participant must attend the briefings and start at the designated time, in the starting pen or wave assigned to them.

Starts are conducted as mass starts, except:

• for the long stage, where the highest-ranked male and female Participants in the general classification start approximately two to three hours after the first start;
• for the marathon stage, where the lowest-ranked Participants in the general classification start first.

Ordinary stages must be completed within the maximum time indicated in the roadbook (approximately ten hours).

The long stage is not necessarily scheduled at the same point in the Event for every edition. Its distance, profile, maximum permitted time, checkpoints, cut-off times and specific operational arrangements are set out in the roadbook or communicated by the Organisation during the briefing.

The long stage takes place partly during the night. In such circumstances, headlamps must be switched on from 7:00 p.m. until sunrise, without exception. The location of the overnight bivouac may be chosen freely by each Participant from the checkpoint or point on the course designated by the Organisation. Such bivouac must remain strictly on the course route and must be clearly visible to assistance, control and safety teams.

Checkpoints are positioned along the route of each stage and constitute mandatory passage points, enabling the recording of Participants, the recording of split times, course monitoring, water distribution and medical assistance.

In order to be authorised to continue the Event, the Participant must comply with all cut-off times set out in the roadbook or communicated by the Organisation. In particular, the Participant must have departed from each checkpoint before the applicable closing time, regardless of their arrival time at that checkpoint. Failure to comply with a cut-off time shall result in disqualification from the Event.

Times are recorded in hours, minutes and seconds. The classification for each stage is established by adding the time achieved and any applicable penalties. The general classification is established by adding the times achieved in each stage together with any applicable penalties.

The "Finisher" medal shall be awarded upon completion of the final timed stage to any Participant who has successfully completed all stages within the prescribed time limits.

A daily bivouac is provided at sites selected by the Organisation, comprising numbered tents accommodating eight (8) persons, allocated according to country of residence. Each Participant shall, insofar as possible, remain in the same tent throughout the duration of the Event. The Organisation may, however, regroup Participants in the event of a significant reduction in participant numbers. Failure to comply with the assigned locations or tent numbers may result in a penalty.

The Organisation shall provide water supplies in accordance with the quantities, schedules and arrangements specified in the roadbook or race instructions. Upon completion of each stage, each Participant shall receive 5 litres of water. The next water supply shall be provided at the first checkpoint of the following stage. Each Participant is responsible for managing their hydration needs accordingly.

Participants are strictly prohibited from obtaining water from any source outside the Organisation's supply system, including wells, natural water sources, private residences or third parties. Any Participant who consumes water not supplied by the Organisation does so entirely at their own risk, and the Organisation shall not be held liable for any resulting health consequences. Such conduct shall furthermore constitute prohibited outside assistance within the meaning of Article 19.

The sharing of water between Participants, including between members of the same team, is permitted only with the express approval of the race officials or upon medical advice. Failing this, it shall constitute prohibited assistance and shall be sanctioned in accordance with the table set out in Article 25.

Bottles and containers supplied by the Organisation are numbered. Any bottle, packaging or waste found along the course route, at checkpoints or at the bivouac outside the designated areas shall result in the penalties provided for in Article 25.

The Participant undertakes to respect the environment, the natural areas crossed during the Event, the bivouac areas and the local populations.

A medical team selected by the Organisation, specialised in particular in sports medicine, emergency medicine and tropical medicine, shall be present throughout the duration of the Event. The medical team shall operate on the course, at checkpoints, at the bivouac and at the finish of each stage.

The medical services, the Medical Director and the Organisation are authorised to examine any Participant, request any additional medical information, withdraw a race bib, temporarily suspend participation, prohibit a Participant from starting, disqualify any Participant deemed unfit to continue, decide upon an evacuation or repatriation, and recommend or implement any urgent treatment or medical measure deemed necessary, in accordance with the applicable regulations and medical ethical rules.

By registering, the Participant acknowledges that, in the event of a life-threatening emergency, or where the Participant is unable to express their wishes, the medical team and the Medical Director may implement any treatment, evacuation or repatriation measures necessary to protect the Participant's health or life, in accordance with the applicable medical rules.

At the time of registration, the Participant shall provide the contact details of a person to be notified in case of emergency, undertakes to keep such information up to date, and authorises the Organisation to contact that person and to communicate to them the information strictly necessary for the Participant's care.

No provision of these Regulations shall limit the right of the medical team to take, in an emergency, any measure necessary to protect the Participant's health or life.

In the event of withdrawal, the Participant must notify the Organisation as soon as possible, hand over their identification items to a race or bivouac official and, where applicable, sign an official withdrawal form provided by the Organisation. A Participant may not leave the race without informing the Organisation.

The repatriation of the Participant and their belongings, within the limits of the available resources, is subject to the prior registration of the withdrawal with the Organisation at a checkpoint or bivouac. A Participant whose physical condition is satisfactory shall be transported in accordance with the arrangements specified by the Organisation. Accommodation and meal expenses beyond those included in the programme shall remain at the Participant's expense.

Any Participant who, despite a decision to stop issued by the Organisation or the medical team, chooses to continue the Event, does so entirely at their own risk and responsibility, after signing a declaration acknowledging that they have been informed of the decision to stop, of the risks involved and of the consequences of their decision to continue outside the normal operational framework of the Event. Failing such signature, the Participant's refusal shall be recorded by any means by the Organisation. Any Participant who continues despite a decision to stop or outside the operational framework of the Event shall incur personal liability, without prejudice to any applicable mandatory legal provisions.

In the event of a serious medical condition, medical repatriation shall be organised immediately. In the absence of notification to the Organisation, any search, rescue or repatriation costs resulting from the Participant's conduct may be charged to the Participant, without prejudice to any applicable assistance coverage.

Any service not used as a result of withdrawal, disqualification, refusal to start, failure to attend or a medical decision shall not give rise to any refund, credit, compensation or postponement, except where otherwise required by mandatory legal provisions.

The MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY is a food self-sufficiency event. As such, any outside assistance is strictly prohibited, unless expressly authorised by the Organisation.

The following are prohibited in particular:

• any external food or water supply;
• any external material, technical or logistical assistance;
• any carrying of equipment by a third party;
• any use of a means of transport;
• any assistance organised by an accompanying person, an external team, a vehicle, a service provider or any other third party not authorised by the Organisation.

Any fraudulent outside assistance shall result in a penalty which may extend to disqualification, in accordance with Article 25.

Electronic Devices and Communication

The use of any communication device, including in particular telephones, messaging systems or personal communication devices, is prohibited where its purpose or effect is:

• to enable outside assistance;
• to transmit or receive unauthorised race information;
• to enable the receipt of prohibited assistance;
• to benefit from guidance or support provided by a third party.

GPS watches, sensors and recording devices for strictly personal use are authorised, provided that they do not enable outside assistance or guidance by a third party.

The Participant must provide their own means of recharging electronic devices. No charging facilities shall be provided by the Organisation.

If a Participant leaves the course route in a manner that results in extensive search operations, the Participant shall be disqualified and shall be required to pay a fixed penalty, the amount of which is specified in the Event Factsheet.

Climatic conditions, temperatures, terrain, altitudes, distances and difficulties are provided for information purposes only in the Event Factsheet or in communications issued by the Organisation. The course may include sand, dunes, rocks, tracks, uneven terrain, technical sections, wind-exposed areas, areas of reduced visibility and night sections. Temperatures are indicative and may vary.

In the event of a sandstorm, insufficient visibility or any serious difficulty, the Participant must stop on the course route, remain visible and await instructions from the Organisation.

The exact course route may remain confidential until the roadbook is distributed. The roadbook includes, in particular, information relating to the stages, checkpoints, schedules, cut-off times, course marking, supervision and essential instructions.

Each Participant must provide their own personal equipment for the Event.

All mandatory equipment, food and personal belongings must comply with a minimum weight of 6.5 kg and a maximum weight of 15 kg. This weight does not include the daily water allocation.

Unless otherwise specified by the Organisation in the Event Factsheet or the roadbook, the mandatory equipment shall include at least:

• WAA ULTRA BAG 20L backpack or equivalent;
• sleeping bag;
• headlamp (minimum 400 lumens) and a complete set of spare batteries, or a spare battery with an external or solar charger;
• water-carrying capacity of at least 1.5 litres (bottle, hydration bladder or equivalent);
• 10 safety pins;
• compass with an accuracy of 1° or 2°;
• lighter; whistle; metal-blade knife;
• skin antiseptic; signalling mirror; survival blanket;
• stock cubes (such as "Knorr") (2 per race day) to promote rehydration;
• sunscreen (minimum 50 ml tube) and sunglasses;
• cash: €200 or 2,000 Moroccan dirhams;
• required identity document (valid passport expiring no earlier than one month after the Event or, for Moroccan residents, an identity card valid until the end of the stay);
• original MDS medical certificate, duly completed, signed and stamped by the physician;
• original resting electrocardiogram with tracing, duly signed and stamped.

Each Participant must provide their own food requirements for the period specified by the Organisation, with a minimum of 2,000 kilocalories per race day during the timed stages. The minimum caloric value required at each technical check is specified in the Event Factsheet or the roadbook.

Any food removed from its original packaging must be accompanied by a legible indication of its nutritional value, in particular by retaining the nutritional label of the relevant product or by any other means enabling the Organisation to carry out the caloric check.

Gas stoves are strictly prohibited.

Failure to present all or part of the mandatory equipment, failure to comply with the minimum or maximum weight requirements, insufficient caloric value, absence of nutritional labelling or, more generally, any breach of the obligations set out in this Article may result in the application of the penalties provided for in Article 25, including disqualification from the Event.

Given the extreme nature of the Event, its conduct in a desert environment, the distances covered, the climatic conditions, the food self-sufficiency requirements and the potential remoteness of medical facilities, each Participant acknowledges that participation requires excellent physical condition, appropriate preparation and the absence of any medical contraindication.

The Organisation's MDS medical certificate and the resting electrocardiogram accompanied by its tracing must be completed, dated, signed and stamped within the period specified by the Organisation, which may not exceed thirty days before the reference date set out in the Event Factsheet. They must be presented during the technical, administrative and medical checks. Only original documents that are dated, signed, stamped and compliant with the Organisation's requirements shall be accepted.

The presentation of a compliant medical certificate and ECG constitutes a personal and mandatory condition for effective participation. It does not constitute a condition precedent to registration, a condition precedent to payment of the price, or a right to cancel free of charge.

Accepted Timing Risk

The Participant expressly acknowledges having been informed, prior to payment:

• that the medical certificate and ECG must be dated less than 30 days before the start and are therefore only issued and presented after the expiry of the cancellation and postponement rights provided for in these Regulations; and
• that the Participant registers and pays the price in full knowledge of this timetable and of the risk that an unfavourable medical opinion, injury or medical condition may arise or be discovered after the expiry of such rights. The Participant declares that they accept this risk.

The Participant acknowledges that this timetable is inherent to the medical safety requirements of the Event and to the need to have recent medical documents available at the time of the start.

Legal Classification

The Participant's state of health, physical fitness and the obtaining, compliance and presentation of the medical certificate and electrocardiogram constitute personal obligations falling solely within the Participant's sphere of responsibility. An impediment relating to the Participant personally does not possess the external character required for force majeure within the meaning of Article 1218 of the French Civil Code and may not be relied upon as such against the Organisation. Nor does such an impediment, being specific to the Participant, constitute an unavoidable and extraordinary circumstance within the meaning of Article L.211-14 of the French Tourism Code, which requires a circumstance external to the Participant, occurring at the destination or in its immediate vicinity, and affecting the performance of the relevant services or transport to the destination.

Before registering, it is the Participant's responsibility to assess their ability to participate, to seek any appropriate medical advice, particularly in the event of a medical history, treatment, known medical condition or any doubt regarding fitness to participate, and not to register in the event of serious uncertainty. It is also the Participant's responsibility to protect against the risk of a medical contraindication by taking out appropriate cancellation insurance, offered at the time of registration.

The inability to obtain a compliant medical certificate, the issue of an unfavourable or restrictive certificate, the failure to present the medical certificate or ECG, the presentation of a non-compliant document or any medical decision refusing authorisation to start are matters relating to the Participant's personal situation and may not, except where otherwise required by mandatory legal provisions, be attributed to the Organisation or give rise to any refund, compensation or postponement other than under the conditions expressly provided for in these Regulations.

Any false declaration, deliberate omission, concealment of medical history, falsification or improper use of a medical document may result in refusal to start, immediate disqualification, forfeiture of any right to a refund or postponement, and the Participant being charged for any additional costs incurred by the Organisation.

The purpose of the Event's health policy is to protect the health of Participants and to ensure safety during the competition. Each Participant undertakes to declare, in accordance with the conditions specified by the Organisation, any medical history, medical condition, regular treatment, medication, dietary supplement or any information relevant to the assessment of their fitness and safety.

Each Participant undertakes to comply with the applicable anti-doping rules, including those arising from the World Anti-Doping Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the current Prohibited List, the applicable Moroccan anti-doping regulations and, where applicable, the international standards in force.

Checks, requests for information, medical appointments, sample collections or verifications may be implemented before, during or after the Event.

Without prejudice to the applicable anti-doping rules, certain substances or methods may be prohibited or restricted by the Organisation for health and safety reasons, particularly during the period immediately preceding the start and during the Event. Such restrictions are specified in the medical instructions, the Event health policy or any document communicated by the Organisation.

Such restrictions may include, in particular, narcotics, certain analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cannabidiol, intravenous infusions, iron infusions or certain synthetic hormones, unless supported by a medical justification that complies with the Organisation's requirements and, where applicable, by a decision or prescription issued by the Event medical team.

Each Participant undertakes to declare, in accordance with the conditions and deadlines established by the Organisation, any information relating to a treatment, medical condition, Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), anti-doping procedure or any other information relevant to the assessment of their fitness and safety.

The Participant also undertakes to attend any medical appointment, whether on site or remotely, during the thirty days preceding the start of the Event and up to fifteen days following its conclusion, and to submit to any sample collection or testing requested by the Medical Director or by the competent authorities.

The costs of any sample collection and analysis requested by the Organisation shall be borne by the Organisation.

Any refusal, breach, provision of inaccurate information, use of a prohibited substance or method, or medical condition incompatible with participation may result in a sanction ranging from a warning to refusal of participation, disqualification, removal from the classification or any other appropriate measure.

Any breach of these Regulations may result, depending on its nature and seriousness, in a time penalty, a financial penalty, a warning, disqualification from the race, disqualification, removal from the classification, exclusion from the Event or any other appropriate measure.

Penalties shall be imposed by the race officials, race management, the Medical Director or any authorised Accredited Person.

Where several penalties are applicable to the same act or to different acts, such penalties may be cumulative.

Disqualification from the race, disqualification, removal from the classification or exclusion imposed as a result of a Participant's breach of these Regulations shall not give rise to any refund, credit, postponement or compensation, except where otherwise required by mandatory legal provisions.

The scale set out in Article 25 shall constitute the reference framework. The Organisation may increase a sanction in the event of serious misconduct, fraud, repeated offences, danger to safety or damage to the environment.

In the table below, "DQ" means disqualification from the race, disqualification or exclusion, depending on the stage at which the sanction is imposed.

Financial penalties shall be payable immediately at the bivouac in cash or may be deducted from any amount owed to the Participant.

Payment of a financial penalty shall not prevent the Organisation from also imposing a sporting penalty, disqualification from the race or any other appropriate measure.

Any claim relating to the race, classification, penalties, checkpoint recording, timing or a sporting decision must be submitted in writing, within the deadlines and in accordance with the procedures specified by the Organisation.

During the Event, the claim shall be submitted to the classification officials or to race management. A response shall be provided within 24 hours. After the final stage, the claim shall be submitted at the Participant Information Point or sent by e-mail to the address indicated by the Organisation within the deadlines specified in the Event Factsheet.

Decisions taken by race management, the Medical Director and the officials shall be immediately enforceable. The submission of a claim shall not suspend the enforcement of a medical decision, safety decision, disqualification from the race or disqualification.

Images of Participants

The Event, including in particular the course, its surroundings, the start and finish lines, checkpoints, refreshment areas, bivouacs, briefings, rest periods, ceremonies, prize-giving ceremonies and, more generally, all locations and periods related to the Event, may be subject to photographic, audiovisual, audio or digital recordings by the Organisation, its service providers, partners, accredited media or any third party authorised by it.

By registering for the Event, each Participant expressly authorises the Organisation, its successors, assigns, service providers, commercial partners, sponsors, broadcasters and accredited media to capture, record, reproduce, represent, adapt and exploit, free of charge, their image, voice, surname, first name, race bib number, sporting performance and, more generally, the elements of their personality captured during their participation in the Event, whether together or separately, hereinafter referred to as their "Image".

This authorisation is granted worldwide for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the Event, on all media and by all means, whether currently known or unknown, including in the form of photographs, videos, audiovisual recordings, digital content, printed publications, posters, flyers, brochures, programmes, press releases, press kits, books, magazines, web banners, social media content, websites, applications, video platforms and television, digital, online or event broadcasting media.

The Participant's Image may be used for information, communication, promotion, enhancement, advertising, press relations, public relations, archiving, retrospective content, institutional or commercial communication relating to the Organisation, the Event, future editions thereof, its partners or the MARATHON DES SABLES / MDS LEGENDARY ecosystem, provided that such use remains connected with the Event, the activities of the Organisation or the promotion of races and events organised or supported by it.

For this purpose, each Participant authorises the Organisation and persons authorised by it to:

• reproduce and represent their Image, in whole or in part, alone or combined with other images, sounds, texts, graphics, logos, trademarks, distinctive signs, slogans, captions or notices;
• carry out any editing, cropping, adaptation, technical modification, graphic or sound enhancement, translation, dubbing, subtitling or integration of their Image into any communication medium;
• grant to the Organisation's partners, sponsors, broadcasters, service providers, accredited media and rights holders the rights necessary for the exploitation of their Image under the conditions set out in this Article.

The Participant acknowledges that this authorisation is granted without remuneration, compensation, consideration or any right of prior approval, having regard in particular to the collective, sporting, event-based and promotional nature of the Event.

The Organisation shall nevertheless refrain from any use of a Participant's Image under conditions that are manifestly disparaging, humiliating, detrimental to their dignity, infringing their privacy or unrelated to the purpose of this Article.

Each Participant declares that they are not bound by any exclusive agreement preventing the exploitation of their Image under the conditions set out in this Article. The Participant shall indemnify the Organisation against any claim brought by a third party based on the existence of a contractual commitment incompatible with the authorisation granted under this Article.

The Participant is informed that participation in the Event necessarily entails the possibility of being photographed, filmed or recorded, in particular as part of collective recordings, race content, broadcasts, reports, promotional content or publications relating to the Event.

Results, rankings, race times, race bib numbers, photographs and race videos may be published on the official media of the Organisation, the Event or its partners, in accordance with the purposes set out in this Article.

Any Participant wishing to object, on legitimate grounds, to certain individualised uses of their Image must notify the Organisation in writing, in accordance with the procedures specified in the Event Factsheet or on the official Event website, no later than thirty (30) days before the start of the Event. The Organisation shall use its best efforts to take such request into account, provided that it does not prevent collective, incidental, safety-related, ranking-related, reporting or general information recordings relating to the Event.

Images of the Event Produced by Participants or Third Parties

Any photographic, audiovisual, audio or digital content produced during the Event by a Participant, an accompanying person, a volunteer, a member of the Event staff or any third party present at the Event may only be used for strictly personal and private purposes, unless prior written authorisation has been obtained from the Organisation or a specific accreditation has been granted by it.

In particular, any public, commercial, promotional, editorial or audiovisual project relating to the Event or using the distinctive signs, images, course, locations, infrastructure, participants, teams, volunteers or characteristic elements of the Event shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Organisation. This includes, without limitation, any book, documentary, report, short, medium-length or feature film, sponsored content, commercial publication, monetised video channel, podcast, content series or communication campaign.

Requests for authorisation or accreditation must be submitted to the Organisation in accordance with the procedures specified in the Event Factsheet or on the official Event website.

No recording or use made by a Participant or third party may infringe the rights of the Organisation, Participants, volunteers, members of the Event staff, partners, service providers or third parties, nor disrupt the proper conduct, safety or image of the Event.

The effective award of any prize is subject to compliance with these Regulations, the final validation of the classification and the absence of any disqualification or positive anti-doping test.

In the event of a reclassification after a prize has been awarded, the Participant shall be required to return any sums, trophies or credits improperly received.

Credits are personal, non-transferable, non-refundable and may not be exchanged for cash.

Article 29. OFFERS / PRICES / INCLUDED SERVICES

The available offers, their total price, the breakdown of the price between the Sporting Portion and the Travel Portion, the services included, the services not included, the options, any additional charges and the payment terms are specified in the Event Factsheet.

This breakdown reflects the economic allocation of the various services included in the registration. It is provided to the Participant for information and transparency purposes regarding the composition of the price. It is specified, for each offer, in the Event Factsheet.

Unless otherwise stated in the Event Factsheet, the price includes, in particular:

• the right to participate in the Event;
• the race bib;
• sporting supervision services;
• timing, course marking and checkpoints;
• water supplies during the race;
• medical supervision during the Event;
• the safety measures implemented by the Organisation;
• bivouac nights included in the programme;
• transfers expressly specified;
• hotel nights expressly included in the subscribed offer;
• the Finisher medal, subject to completion of the Event in accordance with these Regulations;
• the gala dinner.

Unless otherwise stated in the Event Factsheet, the price does not include, in particular:

• transport to the meeting point specified by the Organisation;
• airline tickets;
• passport, visa, travel authorisation, vaccination or other administrative, customs or health formalities and associated costs;
• pre-event medical consultations, the medical certificate and the electrocardiogram;
• optional insurance policies;
• personal expenses and equipment costs;
• accommodation, catering, transport, treatment or assistance expenses resulting from withdrawal, disqualification, refusal to start, medical refusal, failure to attend or personal inability to participate;
• any service not expressly stated as included in the subscribed offer.

Prices are stated in euros, inclusive of all taxes, at the rate in force on the date of registration.

The Organisation may offer preferential rates, promotional offers or special conditions for a specified period, particularly depending on the registration date, the number of places available or the subscribed offer. Unless expressly stated otherwise, such offers are temporary, non-retroactive, non-cumulative and shall not give rise to any refund, credit or price adjustment for the benefit of a Participant already registered.

Fees, taxes, bank charges, currency exchange costs, payment fees, transfer fees or charges levied by a payment intermediary shall be borne exclusively by the Participant, unless otherwise specified in the Event Factsheet.

Unless expressly provided otherwise in the Event Factsheet, prices are fixed and final from the date on which the registration is validated by the Organisation.

Registrations for the Event shall be made in accordance with the procedures specified by the Organisation, generally online through the dedicated registration platform.

As the number of Participants is limited, registrations shall be processed in the order of their effective validation, subject to availability, payment of the price or the first instalment due, completeness of the application file and compliance with the conditions set out in these Regulations and the Event Factsheet.

Registration is personal, nominative and becomes binding upon validation by the Organisation and payment of all or part of the price, subject only to the cancellation, postponement or termination rights provided for in these Regulations or under any applicable mandatory legal provisions.

The Participant undertakes to provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information. Any error, omission, false declaration or failure to regularise an incomplete file may, depending on its nature and seriousness, result in refusal of registration, suspension of the application, refusal to start, disqualification from the Event or cancellation of the registration, in accordance with these Regulations.

Payment of the price shall be made in accordance with the terms specified in the Event Factsheet or on the registration platform. In the case of payment by instalments, the Participant authorises the collection of payments on the agreed dates and undertakes to maintain a valid payment method until full payment of the price has been made.

Any late payment, rejected payment, unjustified payment objection or payment incident not remedied within the period specified by the Organisation may result in suspension and subsequently cancellation of the registration, with the application of the fees provided for in these Regulations, without prejudice to any amounts already due. Bank charges, currency exchange costs, transfer fees, rejection fees or charges imposed by a payment intermediary shall be borne exclusively by the Participant, unless otherwise indicated by the Organisation.

Registration shall only be considered fully completed after full payment of the price, validation of the administrative file and completion of all formalities required by the Organisation, without prejudice to the Participant's obligation to submit the required medical documents at a later date.

Where an edition is fully booked, the Organisation may establish a waiting list. Registration on a waiting list does not guarantee a place and creates no right to registration, priority, compensation, postponement or refund.

The Participant is solely responsible for obtaining, maintaining the validity of, ensuring compliance with and presenting all administrative, customs, health and medical documents required to travel to the destination country, participate in the Event and return to their country of residence.

The Participant must verify, both before registration and up until departure, that their personal situation allows them to travel, enter the destination territory, participate in the Event and comply with all requirements set out in these Regulations. Any costs relating to such formalities shall remain exclusively at the Participant's expense.

Any inability to travel, board transportation, transit, enter the destination territory or participate in the Event due to a missing, expired, incomplete, non-compliant, refused or late-obtained document, or due to a failure to complete any required formality, shall be deemed to relate to the Participant's personal situation and shall not give rise to any liability on the part of the Organisation, except in the event of proven fault by the Organisation.

In such circumstances, the cancellation, postponement, no-show and unused services provisions set out in these Regulations shall apply, subject to any applicable mandatory legal provisions.

Any cancellation request must be submitted in writing to the Organisation, by e-mail with acknowledgement of receipt or via the dedicated form, in accordance with the procedure specified by the Organisation. Only the date on which the complete request is received by the Organisation shall be taken into account.

Subject to any applicable mandatory legal provisions, any cancellation by the Participant, for whatever reason, shall result in the application of the following schedule. Percentages are calculated on the total registration price, unless more favourable provisions are set out in the Event Factsheet.

The cancellation fees set out above are determined taking into account, in particular, the extreme and personal nature of the Event, the limited number of available places, the advance commitment of sporting, medical, logistical, hotel, transport, safety, supervision, water supply and local service provider costs, as well as the limited possibilities of reallocating or reselling the relevant place as the Event approaches.

Where mandatory legal provisions impose a different regime, such provisions shall apply within the limits and conditions prescribed by law.

The following, in particular, shall be considered cancellations attributable to the Participant, without this list being exhaustive:

• illness, accident, injury or pregnancy;
• professional or personal unavailability, change in family circumstances;
• absence, refusal or delay in obtaining a visa, or failure to provide compliant administrative documentation;
• inability to obtain or present a compliant medical certificate, missing, incomplete or non-compliant ECG, or medical contraindication;
• refusal to start or disqualification decided by the medical team;
• incomplete administrative or medical file;
• failure to comply with the obligations set out in these Regulations.

The Participant acknowledges that the cancellation fees set out above are appropriate and justified by the nature of the Event, the limited number of places available, the personal reservation of a place and the advance commitment of costs relating to organisation, safety, logistics, sporting and medical supervision, hotel services, transfers, water supply and local service providers.

Any insurance premium that may have been subscribed, as well as administrative, banking, visa, vaccination, medical and equipment costs and, more generally, any costs external to the registration fee, are not refundable by the Organisation. The subscription of cancellation insurance does not release the Participant from the obligation to pay all sums due and does not modify the applicable cancellation schedule.

The postponement of a registration constitutes a contractual and commercial option granted by the Organisation only in the cases, within the deadlines and under the conditions set out in these Regulations. It does not constitute a general right of the Participant. A postponement may only be requested for the registered Participant.

A postponement shall not affect the date on which fees already accrued or incurred in respect of the initial registration are assessed, nor shall it create any entitlement to a refund that would not have existed in the absence of the postponement.

If the registration is postponed to a more expensive offer, the Participant shall pay the difference in price and, where applicable, any fees specified by the Organisation.

If it is postponed to a less expensive offer, no price difference shall be refunded. From D-6 onwards, no postponement request may be accepted under any circumstances.

Subsequent Cancellation of a Postponed Registration

The postponement of a registration does not reset the cancellation deadlines and fees applicable to the initial registration.

In the event of cancellation of a registration that has been postponed, the applicable cancellation fees shall be calculated on the basis of the higher of:

• the cancellation fees that would have applied to the initial registration on the date the Organisation received the postponement request; and
• the cancellation fees applicable to the postponed registration on the date the Organisation received the cancellation request.

For the purposes of this Article, only the date on which the Organisation receives the complete postponement request shall be taken into account, and not the date on which the postponement is accepted, processed or confirmed by the Organisation.

Likewise, only the date on which the Organisation receives the complete cancellation request shall be taken into account in determining the cancellation fees applicable to the postponed registration.

The purpose of this mechanism is to prevent a postponement requested at a late stage from indirectly allowing the Participant to benefit from more favourable refund conditions than those that would have applied to the initial registration on the date the postponement request was received.

Registration is strictly personal and nominative. The race bib, identification marks, sporting rights and access to the Event are granted exclusively to the registered Participant, following validation of their identity, administrative file, medical documents, fitness to participate and acceptance of these Regulations.

Consequently, no free transfer of race bibs, substitution, sale, donation, exchange, loan or assignment is permitted. Any person participating using the race bib or registration of a third party shall be immediately excluded. The Organisation shall not be liable for any accident, damage or difficulty resulting from an unauthorised transfer.

Any request by the Participant to modify their registration or the Services must be submitted in writing to the Organisation.

The Organisation is under no obligation to accept any modification request. Any accepted modification may give rise to administrative processing fees, fees imposed by service providers, price differences and any additional costs. No modification shall be taken into account until the corresponding sums have been paid in full.

From the Event Start Date onwards, any waiver of participation or interruption of participation shall not give rise to any refund, credit or compensation, except where otherwise required by mandatory legal provisions.

Any service not used due to the Participant shall not give rise to any refund, credit or compensation.

This includes, in particular, failure to attend, late arrival, early departure, withdrawal, disqualification, refusal to start, medical refusal, failure to present required documents, administrative, health, customs or medical impediments, failure to use a transfer or hotel night, voluntary waiver of a service or interruption of participation for personal reasons.

Events relating to the Participant's personal circumstances (including illness, injury, pregnancy, medical contraindication, inability to obtain or present a compliant medical certificate, professional, family, administrative, health, customs or transport difficulties) shall not constitute force majeure or an unavoidable and extraordinary circumstance that may be invoked against the Organisation.

Such situations fall within the Participant's personal sphere and shall be governed by the applicable cancellation, postponement or insurance conditions.

Where provided for by applicable legal provisions, the Participant may terminate the contract before the start of the Event without paying termination fees if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the destination or in its immediate vicinity have significant consequences on the performance of the relevant services or on the transport of Participants to the destination.

Such circumstances shall be assessed objectively, as of the date on which the Organisation receives the complete termination request, having regard to the situation actually observed in the Event area or its immediate vicinity, the mandatory decisions or recommendations of the competent authorities, and the reasonable possibilities available to the Organisation to adapt the Event.

An armed conflict, serious security situation, riot, act of terrorism, natural disaster, epidemic, border closure, access prohibition or official travel restriction may justify termination without fees only if it directly affects the Event area, access thereto, or the essential services included in the subscribed offer, in circumstances rendering their performance impossible or seriously compromised.

The following shall not, in themselves, constitute unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances:

• a general political, social, diplomatic, military or security situation;
• a conflict or incident occurring in an area remote from the Event location;
• a situation affecting a neighbouring country or region without direct impact on the Event area or access thereto;
• the Participant's personal concerns or apprehensions;
• an individual transport difficulty;
• a situation that can reasonably be addressed through an adaptation of the programme, route, schedules, transfers, accommodation or operational arrangements of the Event.

Where the conditions set out by mandatory legal provisions are met, the Participant shall benefit from the rights provided by law, without being entitled to any additional compensation.

The Organisation may, at any time, modify the course, the location of water supplies, checkpoints, schedules, stages, start procedures, bivouac arrangements, transfers, accommodation, safety instructions, the roadbook or any operational aspect of the Event if circumstances so require, including in the event of adverse weather conditions, sandstorms, extreme heat, health risks, orders from public authorities, political unrest, armed conflict, epidemic, pandemic, natural disaster, logistical difficulties, the unavailability of an essential service provider or any risk to the safety of Participants.

Operational Elements and Essential Elements

The following shall not, in particular, constitute substantial modifications giving rise, in themselves, to a right of termination: adaptations to the route, distances, order of stages, schedules, bivouac locations, checkpoint locations, water supply arrangements, start or finish procedures, or more generally any operational parameters of the Event, where such adaptations are made for reasons of safety, weather conditions, terrain, logistics, health protection, Participant protection or pursuant to instructions issued by the competent authorities.

The Participant acknowledges that such adaptations are inherent in the organisation of an endurance event in a desert environment and may occur before or during the Event.

By contrast, the following constitute essential elements of the contract: the Event Start Date, the destination country, the general level of services included in the subscribed offer and the principal outbound and return transfers where these are included in the offer. Where the Organisation is required to make a substantial modification to an essential element before departure, the Participant shall be informed in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

Where the Organisation cancels the Event before departure in circumstances that legally require reimbursement of sums paid, such reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the applicable mandatory legal provisions.

Depending on the circumstances, the Organisation may offer the Participant a postponement of their registration, a credit note or substitution with another event. The Participant shall retain any mandatory rights granted to them by law.

The Organisation shall not be responsible for personal expenses incurred by the Participant outside the registration fee, including airline tickets, transport to the meeting point, accommodation not included in the package, equipment, visas, vaccinations, medical expenses or personal expenditures.

The Organisation recommends that Participants limit expenses incurred with third parties or take out cancellation insurance.

WAA, in its capacity as organiser and on its own behalf, subscribes to a collective assistance insurance policy for the benefit of all registered Participants.

The cover provided is detailed in the Assistance Insurance Information Notice attached as Appendix 3 to these Regulations.

Each Participant is strongly advised, upon registration, to take out:

• personal accident and death insurance;
• cancellation insurance covering, in particular, illness, accident, injury, inability to obtain a compliant medical certificate, medical contraindication and any personal inability to participate;
• insurance covering personal belongings, equipment and expenses not included in the registration.

The assessment of coverage, exclusions and compensation falls exclusively within the responsibility of the relevant insurer.

The subscription of insurance does not modify the cancellation, postponement or refund conditions set out in these Regulations.

The Organisation shall be responsible for the proper performance of the services falling within its scope of organisation, subject to the conditions and limitations provided for by the applicable legal provisions.

Such responsibility shall not be interpreted as guaranteeing the Participant's sporting success, physical fitness, state of health, ranking, absence of withdrawal, absence of medical or safety decisions, or the absence of risks inherent in a self-sufficient, multi-stage foot race conducted in a desert environment and under extreme conditions.

The Participant acknowledges that they participate in the Event with full knowledge of these risks and accepts that sporting, medical, logistical or safety decisions may be taken at any time by the Organisation, race management or the medical team in order to ensure their safety, the safety of other Participants, Accredited Persons or the proper conduct of the Event.

Within the limits provided for by the applicable legal provisions, the Organisation shall not be liable where non-performance or improper performance is attributable to the Participant, to a third party unconnected with the provision of the Services, to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, to force majeure, to a decision of a public authority, or to the Participant's failure to comply with their contractual, administrative, medical, health, technical, sporting or safety obligations.

In particular, the Organisation shall not be held liable for the consequences of any false declaration, omission, concealment, error or negligence by the Participant concerning their health condition, medical history, treatment, fitness, identity, administrative documents, insurance or equipment, nor for any damage resulting from withdrawal, a medical or safety decision, dangerous conduct, unauthorised outside assistance, failure to follow the course marking, inadequate equipment, poor management of water or food supplies, or the loss, theft or deterioration of personal belongings.

The Participant is responsible for their registration, the accuracy of the information provided, their physical fitness, preparation, equipment, food, hydration, administrative, health and medical documents, personal insurance, conduct and compliance with these Regulations.

The Participant takes part with full knowledge of the risks inherent in a multi-stage foot race conducted in a desert environment and must behave in a prudent, fair and respectful manner consistent with their own safety and that of other Participants, the Organisation and Accredited Persons. The Participant shall refrain from any abusive, aggressive, discriminatory, threatening, violent or dangerous behaviour towards the Organisation, Accredited Persons, other Participants, local populations, authorities or service providers.

The Participant shall be financially liable for any damage, deterioration, search costs, rescue costs, penalties, fines, accommodation expenses or additional costs resulting from their conduct, fault, negligence, recklessness, false declaration or failure to comply with these Regulations.

Each Participant retains custody of their personal belongings, equipment, valuables, documents, cash, electronic devices, batteries, clothing, food and equipment that they carry. The Organisation shall not be liable for any loss, theft, damage, breakage, omission, abandonment or disappearance of such items, except in the event of proven fault on the part of the Organisation. Participants are advised not to bring valuables that are not necessary for the Event.

Baggage Entrusted to the Organisation

Prior to the start of the race, the Participant may be required to hand over to the Organisation a bag containing items not carried during the Event, in accordance with the procedures specified by the Organisation. Such baggage is transported and stored as part of a collective logistical arrangement specific to the Event in a desert environment and not as part of an individualised custody or storage service.

The Participant remains solely responsible for the contents, packaging, closure, durability, identification and suitability of their baggage with regard to the transport, storage and handling constraints specific to the Event. It is the Participant's responsibility to ensure that their baggage is sufficiently robust, properly closed, identifiable and suitable for the climatic, logistical and material conditions of the Event.

The Organisation shall not be liable for any loss, damage, deterioration, breakage, water ingress, soiling, crushing, opening, wear or alteration affecting entrusted baggage or its contents where such events result from a cause beyond the Organisation's control, including force majeure, a decision of a public authority, climatic or natural conditions, the normal conditions of transport, handling or storage in a desert environment, an inherent defect in the baggage or its contents, inadequate packaging or protection, the fragile nature or characteristics of the items transported, the inclusion of an item contrary to the Organisation's instructions, or the act of a third party.

The Organiser undertakes to ensure the security and confidentiality of personal data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (hereinafter the "GDPR"), in particular by taking all appropriate precautions to prevent such data from being distorted, damaged or accessed by unauthorised third parties.

Upon registration, the Participant is informed and agrees that their personal data may be: (i) collected via the registration platform owned by WAPI BULGARIA Ltd, a company belonging to the same group as the Organiser and mandated by the Organiser; and (ii) processed by the Organiser, acting as data controller within the meaning of the GDPR, and by WAPI BULGARIA Ltd, acting as its data processor.

Data Controller Identity

WHAT AN ADVENTURE (WAA), a simplified joint-stock company (société par actions simplifiée à associé unique) with share capital of €600,000, whose registered office is located at 66 avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris (75008), France, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 504 009 515.

Contact e-mail: contact@marathondessables.com

WAPI BULGARIA Ltd, a Bulgarian single-member limited liability company with share capital of 2,000 Bulgarian leva, whose registered office is located at R-N TRIADITSA DISTR., AP. OFIS 7, FLOOR 6, 1000 SOFIA (BULGARIA), registered with the Bulgarian Commercial Register under number 204211089.

Contact e-mail: support@wapi.bg

Data and Information Collected

Mandatory Registration Data: First name, Last name, Telephone number, E-mail address, Password, Title/Gender (Male, Female), Passport number, Date of birth, Country, City, Postal code, Address, T-shirt size, Emergency contact details (First name, Last name, Telephone number, E-mail address). This list may evolve according to the Organiser's legal, technical or organisational requirements.

Optional Data: During the registration process, other data may be requested but are not essential for registration. The Organiser or WAPI BULGARIA Ltd may also send satisfaction surveys after the Event.

Payment Data: The payment service provider collects and processes data relating to payment methods. Such data are encrypted using a secure protocol and are not communicated to the Organiser.

Health Data: Medical and health-related data constitute sensitive data within the meaning of Article 9 of the GDPR. Access is restricted to the medical team, the Medical Director and, where strictly necessary, assistance service providers.

Technical Data: The Organiser and WAPI BULGARIA Ltd may collect technical data such as connection data and IP addresses in accordance with applicable legislation.

Purposes of Processing

Data are collected to: enable account creation and management; process and validate registrations; facilitate debt collection and combat fraud; manage events; manage communications; share data with partners (subject to consent); and conduct satisfaction surveys.

Recipients of the Data

Personal data may be communicated to: the Organiser's internal departments; service providers directly involved in the Event (hotels, transport, timing, medical teams, IT providers, etc.); and the Organiser's preferred partners, subject to the Participant's consent.

By participating, Participants acknowledge that their first name, last name and country may appear on the official start list; their geolocation on the course may be accessible during the race; and their results, photographs and videos may be published on the website.

Except as set out above, the Organiser undertakes not to sell, rent, transfer or grant access to Participants' data to third parties without prior consent. Certain recipients may be located outside the EU; in such cases the Organiser ensures protection through standard contractual clauses.

Data Retention Period

Data shall be retained for the period necessary to fulfil the purposes described above and deleted if the Participant has not responded to any communication for three (3) years, unless a longer period is required by law.

Rights of Data Subjects

Data subjects have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, object to and request portability of their personal data. These rights may be exercised by e-mail or by post to: WAA MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY, 66 avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the CNIL (www.cnil.fr) and may consult the French telephone marketing opt-out register Bloctel (www.bloctel.gouv.fr).

If you have any questions or complaints, or if you wish to provide recommendations or comments aimed at improving the personal data protection policy, you may send an e-mail to the address indicated in the Event Factsheet or write to:

WAA - MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY
66 avenue des Champs-Élysées
75008 PARIS – France

Any complaint relating to registration, payment, the Services or the conditions of sale must be submitted in writing to the Organisation, together with any relevant supporting documents, as soon as possible following the occurrence of the matter giving rise to the complaint, at the address indicated in the Event Factsheet.

These Regulations shall be governed by French law. These Regulations have been drafted in the French language, which shall be considered the official language. Accordingly, in the event of any discrepancy between the French version and a translation, the French version shall prevail.

In the event of a dispute, the parties shall endeavour to reach an amicable resolution.

Should any provision of these Regulations be declared null, deemed unwritten or unenforceable, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.

The fact that the Organisation does not rely upon a provision of these Regulations at any given time shall not be interpreted as a waiver of its right to rely upon that provision at a later date.

These Regulations constitute the entire agreement between the Organisation and the Participant regarding registration, participation and the Services relating to the Event. They cancel and replace, for the relevant edition and the registrations to which they apply, any previous version relating to the same subject matter.

The Organisation may revise and update these Regulations at any time, in particular to take account of changes in regulations, requirements imposed by authorities, organisational conditions or safety constraints. Such modifications shall apply to registrations made after their publication. Participants who are already registered shall be informed of any significant modifications likely to substantially affect their rights or obligations.

The Participant acknowledges that they have read these Regulations, understood them and accepted them without reservation at the time of registration.