(listed alphabetically)

1. AGE GROUPS

   For the purpose of age group standings, the finishing field will be subdivided into ten-year groups. Separate divisions for men and women will be provided in all cases. All participants must have reached their twentieth (20th) birthday by the start of Stage 1. Age group prizes will be at the discretion of the organizers.

2. AID STATIONS

   Since the use of support teams is required throughout, aid stations will not be provided to participants by event officials. Water and limited toilet facilities will be available at the start and finish lines of each stage.

3. AWARDS

   Each finisher will receive a distinctive award. Additionally, the first overall finishers (male and female) and the first three men and women finishers in each division may receive individual recognition at the Awards Presentation. The right to limit or expand the awards, based on the number of entries and finishers in each division, is reserved. All awards will be presented at the Awards Dinner on Monday night.

4. BIKE EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

   As part of the pre-event preparations, each participant must have certain aspects of his/her bike inspected after its arrival in Kona and prior to the start of Stage I. This inspection must be done by appointment only at either Bike Works (808-326-2453) or Cycle Station (808) 327-0087 or Dave’s Bike & Triathlon Shop (808) 329-4522 in Kailua-Kona and will include, but may not be limited to, brakes, handlebars, headset, helmet, lights, rear view mirror, tires, and wheels. A certificate of inspection will be issued by the inspecting shop and must be presented during the registration process. Event officials may check each bike again in the transition area. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that all aspects of his/her bike are safe to the user and to other participants, team members, officials, and the general public at all times during the event. Any equipment which officials deem unable to meet minimum standards may not be used until the problem is corrected. All repair costs are the responsibility of the rider and must be paid upon completion of the work.

5. CATEGORIES

   All participants, whether officially registered by a national governing body as amateur, elite or professional will participate in the age group category.

6. CHECK-IN PROCEDURE

   At the beginning and end of each stage or segment thereof, each participant and team captain must check in with the event Registrar who will be located adjacent to the respective start/finish lines. In addition, at the start of the swim, the escort must check-in with the participants for numbering purposes. Failure to follow this procedure may preclude further present or future participation in the event.

7. CONTINGENCIES

   If conditions develop prior to or during the event which necessitate a change in plans, the following action(s), in order of severity, will be taken: (1) postponement, (2) course modification, (3) cancellation. If it will be unsafe to conduct the swim as scheduled, this portion of Stage I may be postponed until the morning following the end of Stage III. If the event or any portion of it is postponed, modified, or cancelled, there will be no refunds.

8. COURSE

   The sole responsibility for following the prescribed course rests with each participant. No adjustments in times or finishing results shall be made for participants who fail to follow the proper course for any reason whatsoever. Every effort will be made to mark each intersection on the course and detailed course descriptions and route maps will be made available to each athlete and support team.

9. CREDIT CARDS

   Provision for payment of retail items by credit card is available. However it is suggested that you make plans to have sufficient travelers’ checks or cash available to pay for costs directly related to the event. Personal checks may be acceptable with proper identification; however, there will be a $25 charge for each returned check.

10. CUTOFF TIMES

    For safety reasons, the following cutoff times have been established: Swim = 5-1/2 hours, Stages I, II, III = 12 hours each (Total = 36 hours). Any participant who does not reach the designated finish line before a cutoff time will be disqualified and may be requested to leave the course at that point; s/he may be allowed to continue unofficially in the next stage. However, only those participants who have made each day’s 12 hour cutoff and completed all portions of the course will be designated finishers. Only finishers will be eligible to receive any finisher awards. Cutoff times may be modified if course conditions warrant.

11. DISQUALIFICATION

    Participants not making a cutoff or not beginning and finishing any portion of any stage will be automatically disqualified. Participants or team members not adhering to the regulations and guidelines of the event are also subject to disqualification. Disqualified persons may be allowed to continue unofficially in the event, depending on the nature of the infraction, but none will be eligible to receive any finisher or any age group awards. Those allowed to continue do so at their own risk.

12. DISTANCES

    Stage I (Day 1): 6.2 mile (10 km) ocean swim (from Kailua Pier to Keauhou Bay) + 90 mile (145 km) bike from Keauhou Bay to Volcanoes National Park

    Stage II (Day 2): 171.4 mile (276 km) bike from Volcanoes National Park and finish at Kohala Village Inn, Hawi.

    Stage III (Day 3): 52.4 mile (84 km) run from Hawi and finish at Old Airport State Park, Pavilion Number One.

    All distances are approximate and subject to modification (See Course Description section for further details).

13. DRAFTING

    This is an individual endurance event; therefore, drafting of any type during any portion of any stage (including the swim) is prohibited by any participant.

14. EVENT STANDARDS

    Where applicable and not otherwise modified by more stringent event standards, the Competitive Rules, as published by USA Triathlon and contained in its current Triathlon Competition Guide, are hereby incorporated by reference and govern the event. Copies of this booklet will be available as part of the registration process; it is strongly urged that each participant and team member carefully read the pertinent sections of this document.

15. FILMING

    Filming of the event will not be permitted whether for personal or commercial use unless prior written authorization is obtained from event officials. Such authorization may be withheld if the filming is in conflict with the granting of other film rights. Copies of any films or DVDs produced about Ultraman or any of its participants must be submitted to the Race Office for approval prior to airing in any media.

16. INSURANCE

    Bonafide members of USA Triathlon (and persons who have a single event permit) who are participants in the event and have signed a valid USAT waiver will be afforded excess medical expense coverage up to $25,000 ($1,000 deductible) and accidental death/dismemberment benefits up to $25,000 according to the terms and conditions of the master policy. Contact USAT directly for more information (call 719-597-9090). No other participant insurance coverage will be provided nor is any liability assumed by event officials. Claim forms will be included in the team materials distributed to each team captain. It is mandatory that each support team vehicle have no-fault insurance coverage, as required by Hawai’i law, for the duration of its use in conjunction with the event; evidence of this coverage will be required to be presented as part of the registration process.

17. LANGUAGE

    Each participant must be able to either (1) speak and understand English or (2) provide a team member who can act as a translator between the participant, other team members, and event officials. All Team Captains must be able to speak and understand English.

18. LIMITATION OF ENTRIES

    The starting field will be limited to thirty five (35) individual participants and five (5) relay teams, and entry will be by invitation only.

19. MASSAGE

    Massage therapy will be available for a nominal fee at the end of each stage. This service is primarily for participants, but may also be available for team members. Such services will be by appointment only with the Big Island Sports Massage Team and should be scheduled in advance by completing the Massage Reservation Form available at registration.

20. MEALS

    Two meals are planned in connection with the event. These are the Thanksgiving Day breakfast held on Thursday, the day before the start of Stage I (participant attendance is required) and the Awards Party held the day after Stage III is over. Since the pre-event briefing is part of the Thanksgiving breakfast, and is in the same location, team members are encouraged to attend the breakfast to have an opportunity to meet one another and the event personnel. It is also hoped that all participants, their guests, and team members will attend the Awards Dinner and the Presentation which follows. Each athlete will be provided three (3) tickets to the Thanksgiving Day Breakfast and Awards Dinner in order that his/her support team members be included.

21. MEDICAL STUDIES & SUPPORT

    Medical support will not be provided to participants by event officials. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of each support team to provide and/or seek professional help should the need arise. Emergency medical contacts and information will be provided to each support team. Independent medical studies may be conducted in conjunction with the event. Participation in any such studies will be voluntary.

22. NO-FEED ZONES

    For safety reasons, certain short portions of the land course will be designated No-Feed Zones. These are areas where the support team is not allowed to accompany the participant. Only in case of an emergency will support vehicles be permitted to stop in these designated zones.

23. NUMBERING

    Swim: During the check-in process, the escort will be given a number to be worn on the front of his/her shirt or hat. Bike: Each participant will be given two jersey numbers; one to be worn on the lower back each day, and a frame number to be placed on the bike frame. Run: Each participant will be given one number to be worn on the front. Teams: Each Team Captain will be given two numbers to be affixed to the outside lower left of the front and back windshields of the team vehicle. Numbers identify official participants and teams, must be clearly visible at all times, and worn as directed by event officials. No alteration of any numbers is permitted.

24. PACING

    Pacing among official participants is allowed only during Stage III and then only under the following conditions: (a) a participant may be paced by only one designated non-participant at a time, (b) all pacers must be on foot while pacing, and (c) any pacer who is not an official participant must clearly display signage provided by event officials. Pacing with any wheeled vehicle (whether motorized or not) is not permitted during any portion of the event.

25. PARKING

    Since parking will be limited in all staging areas and prohibited at all start and finish lines, affected persons should plan accordingly. In every case, all event-related vehicles must be parked legally and safely off any highway and in such a manner that does not obstruct the normal flow of traffic or create a hazard to anyone.

26. PENALTIES

    Specific penalties will be levied for infractions and/or misconduct. Such penalties will normally consist of time penalties assessed against the participant at the end of each stage, with immediate disqualification occurring for major misconduct and/or infractions. In general, penalties will conform to those established by USA Triathlon and detailed in its current Competition Guide. The time penalties for Ultra Distance races consist of 6 minutes for the 1st infraction and 12 minutes for the 2nd penalty. The third penalty equals disqualification from the event. These penalties are cumulative for all three days. Copies of this booklet will be available as part of the registration process.

27. PERSONAL PROPERTY

    It is strongly suggested that all personal property be adequately and indelibly identified with the owner’s name and event number prior to the start of Stage I. Event officials assume no responsibility for the theft, loss, or destruction of any personal property of any participant or support team member.

28. PLANNING

    The absolute necessity of proper planning cannot be emphasized enough. In addition to making the necessary travel plans, it is crucial that each participant properly inform, train, organize and prepare each team member. This includes providing them with copies of pertinent event information and also keeping them updated on any changes. Waiting to accomplish this the day before this event is not advisable. First time participants should (a) plan to drive the entire land course before registering, and (b) remember that most stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Participants who are utilizing local residents as team members are urged to be in contact with them as early as possible to make all the necessary arrangements, including automobile, lodging, and food; this is especially true for swim escorts and escort craft. No one will be permitted to begin any stage without a complete team and the required equipment.

29. PROHIBITED AID, EQUIPMENT, SUBSTANCES

    No participant will be permitted to use fins, paddles, snorkels, or any flotation device (except as noted) during the swim; likewise, no swim escort will be permitted to use any sail craft or any escort craft less than six feet in length. In addition, during the bike segments, no participant may use disk wheels or any device designed exclusively to reduce air resistance. No participant may use any device that (1) interferes with normal hearing (headsets, etc) or (2) provides any independent means of forward motion. No team may utilize more than one support vehicle, and such vehicle may not exceed six (6) feet in width (campers, large vans and trucks, etc. are prohibited). No participant or team member may use any illegal or otherwise banned substance at any time during any portion of the event. The event is to be drug-free throughout. (See the Rules & Regulations section in this kit for more information.

30. PROTESTS

    The Team Captain will be the person responsible for submitting any official protest on behalf of the participant and/or team member(s) as the result of misconduct by another participant and/or team. Such protest must be in writing and filed within 30 minutes following the withdrawal of the participant or his/her completion of the swim or stage in which the incident is alleged, whichever occurs first. Protest forms will be provided by event officials.

31. REFUNDS

    For those applicants who are not issued invitations, the full entry fee, less the $100 administrative fee, will be returned at the time notification is mailed. Invitees may only be eligible for refunds if written notice of their intent to withdraw is postmarked by October 1; in that case, the stated administrative fee and a $100 withdrawal fee will be retained. NO REFUNDS OF ENTRY FEES WILL BE MADE AFTER OCTOBER 1st.

32. REGISTRATION

    Registration will be on the Wednesday preceding the start of Stage I, and all invitees wishing to participate must register in person on that day. To pick up registration materials, each invitee is require to present his/her USAT membership card, identification with photo, bike inspection certificate, and complete information about his/her team, including names, contact information, and a signed individual Team Agreement for each member, vehicle model/make/license number, and a copy of the Hawaii No-Fault insurance card. Materials will only be issued to those completing the registration process, and only those persons will be allowed to begin Stage I.

33. RELAY TEAMS

    The ULTRAMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS has a relay division. At least one member of the relay team must be a former ULTRAMAN individual finisher. The relay is divided into 3 legs—swim, bike, run--with one participant doing each discipline. Those participants not competing in that discipline are required to serve as support team to the other members of the relay team. An additional land crew or swim escort is recommended in case of injury or illness. Relay teams may not register online and must request an application from the race director. Deadline for relay team applications is August 1st.

34. RETURNED CHECKS

    Checks submitted in connection with the application must clear the applicant’s bank before an invitation will be considered to have been officially issued. A service fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) will be charged each time any check issued in connection with the event is returned as unpaid.

35. RESTRICTED AREAS

    Certain areas of the course will have restricted access. These areas will be designated at all start and finish lines and the swim-bike transition, as well as the No-Feed Zones. Other areas may be included, so it is important that the directions of event officials be followed carefully and graciously.

36. SAFETY

    Safety is THE primary consideration and a support team for each participant is required throughout. This event is extremely strenuous and requires tremendous individual endurance and stamina. The risk of accident, injury, sickness, and even death, may be present throughout all three stages. Proper training, well-maintained and appropriate equipment, good judgment, respect, common sense and courtesy will be crucial in making this a safe and successful event. If an emergency situation necessitates or causes a rule infraction, event officials may make allowances in the interest of promoting safety.

37. SANCTION

    This event has been sanctioned annually by USA Triathlon. As part of this sanction, each participant will be required to hold a current USAT membership, sign USAT waiver (AWRL) and Medical Consent and Release Form. Any invitee who does not possess a valid USAT card will be required to complete an application for a single event permit as part of the registration process.

38. SPECIAL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

    Participants will be required to wear/utilize the following special equipment: swim caps and numbers as provided by event officials, a properly fastened ANSI or SNELL approved hard shell helmet, and rear view mirror. Lights will be required on bicycles due to the early sunsets in late November. Swim escorts must (a) wear shirts to affix numbers issued by officials (tank tops are recommended) and (b) utilize an escort craft which must be non-motorized and a minimum of 6 feet in length.

39. STARTING PROCEDURES

    At two minutes, one minute, and 30 seconds prior to the start of each stage, announcements to that effect will be made. 10 seconds prior to the start, a countdown will begin. A starting signal will then be given. Prompt starts are a tradition and will be adhered to. It is each participant’s responsibility to be ready to start at the designated times. No time allowance will be made for anyone not starting as scheduled.

40. STORAGE

    Storage of participant’s event-related equipment is the responsibility of each participant and Team Captain. Provision for storage by event officials, either before, during, or after the event will not be made.

41. SUPPORT TEAMS

    Due to the length and nature of the event, it is mandatory that a support team of at least two (2) adult persons and no more than one automobile accompany each participant throughout all stages of the event. No one will be allowed to participate without having this team. Each participant is responsible for securing, organizing, and training this team. Each team member, including the swim escort, will be required to (a) provide his/her name, address, and phone number and (b) sign the individual Team Agreement. In addition to these two requirements, the team member who is designated Team Captain will act as the official spokesperson for the participant and team and will be required to attend the pre-event briefing (other members are also encouraged to attend). For safety and simplicity, no support team or any team member may utilize a non-motorized wheeled vehicle (including a bicycle) except in an emergency. NOTE: the entry fee will include three (3) shirts for team members. The opportunity to purchase additional shirts and souvenir items will be provided.

42. SUPPORT VEHICLE

    Each participant must arrange and pay for an automobile to be used as a team vehicle throughout the event. Such vehicle may not be wider than six (6) feet but must be large enough to accommodate all equipment, team members, the participant, and his/her needs. For safety reasons, the use of campers, large vans, and trucks is prohibited. No team may have more than one vehicle on the course at a time. NOTE: Mini-vans are highly recommended.

43. SWIM ESCORT AND ESCORT CRAFT

    It is mandatory that each participant be accompanied by an escort and escort craft at all times during the swim portion of Stage I. The escort is considered a member of the support team and will be required to complete the Team Agreement prior to the start of Stage I and display the designated official number while on the course. A non-motorized escort craft is required (a kayak or one-man canoe is recommended), but craft utilizing sails or being less than six (6) feet in length may not be used. No participant will be allowed to start the swim and/or continue in the swim without a proper escort and acceptable craft. Swim escorts must be in excellent condition and able to escort the swimmer from start to finish.

44. TEAM ASSISTANCE

    A participant who needs a complete support team or additional team members, including a swim escort and/or escort craft, some assistance may be available from the Big Island community. Such assistance may only be available if advance arrangements are made by completing the Team Assistance Form or contacting the Team Coordinator directly by telephone at (808) 322-2120 or fax at (808) 322-4355. See the Acceptance Kit for further information and instructions.

45. TEAMWORK

    Although this event will be one of individual endurance, no one will be able to finish it without the cooperation inherent in good teamwork. Each support team will be required to provide for their participant’s needs and must not hinder or interfere with another team or person at any time. On the other hand, the underlying philosophy of this event is to encourage and promote the spirit of camaraderie with respect for all. Therefore, honesty, good judgment and sportsmanlike conduct are all integral parts of the event and will be expected of everyone at all times.

46. TRADEMARK AND EVENT LOGOS

    The event name and logos are registered marks which may not be used or reproduced in any manner without prior written consent. Such marks, as well as selected sponsor logos, may be required to be worn and/or displayed by participants and team members during certain portions of the event. Notification of such requirements, if any, will be made as part of the registration process. Participants may make copies of pertinent written materials in connection with preparations for the event; however, such copies are for personal use only and may only be distributed to bona fide team members who may not reproduce them in any manner thereafter.

47. TRAVEL AND ACCOMODATIONS

    All travel arrangements – air, ground, hotel accommodations and meals are the responsibility of each participant. It is important that plans for travel and accommodations be made well in advance of arrival in Hawai’i. As the event takes place over American Thanksgiving weekend, bookings (especially for support vehicle) must be made well in advance due to the busy holiday weekend.

48. WETSUITS

    Protective suits, such as tri-, body-, and wetsuits, including those containing neoprene, will be permitted to be used during the swim to protect against exposure and marine organisms.