Rules & Regulations for Ultra Trail Dubai 2025

In order to keep the event safe and for operations to run smoothly, it’s important for all athletes to review and understand these Rules and Regulations for Ultra Trail Dubai 2025.

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By participating in the event, you are agreeing to comply with all the below.

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RACE NUMBER

The race number must be affixed to your front, either pinned to your shirt or on the hip/pelvic area and be permanently and fully visible throughout the entire race. It must always be positioned over any clothing and cannot, for any reason, be fixed onto the back or on a leg.  We recommend using a race belt.

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Runners may not participate using a race bib belonging to another runner. Both runners will be disqualified from the race and will be banned from all future World’s Iconic event races if they are caught.

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MANDATORY & RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

​Ultra-trail Dubai requires runners to carry all the Mandatory Equipment for the entire race, no matter which distance you enter. The weather can change drastically during the day as the trails take runners into mountainous terrain. This list is seen as a set of 'mandatory minimums'.

Although not mandatory to carry for the race, we have compiled a list of Recommended Gear that athletes can carry with them should they feel it necessary. This will vary based on personal preferences and abilities.

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Runners are to have their Mandatory Equipment with them at all times during the race. Random gear checks will be performed during the event. Penalties ranging from time penalties to disqualification will be applied based on the severity of the breach.

You can review the Mandatory Equipment list here.

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AGE LIMITS
All runners must be 16 years or older to enter UTD15; and 20 years or older to enter UTD30, UTD50, or UTD100.

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SUPPORT
Ultra Trail Dubai is fundamentally a race true to the spirit of semi-self-sufficiency. We value the camaraderie that comes from seconding crews who support the runners through their extraordinary feats of endurance. However, it is our position that no runner shall benefit over another because they have a seconding crew in place to expedite the runners' passage over the race route. Therefore, in the spirit of fairness and to ensure an equal playing field for all starting the race, we will penalise or disqualify runners for any transgression of the following:​

• Accepting any form of mobile support along the route, e.g. pacing or muling.
• ​Crews may provide support within a 100-metre radius of all Aid Stations. Participants are not allowed any form of support outside these zones. 30-minute penalties against the runner will be imposed.
• Not carrying the complete set of Mandatory Equipment at all times, including a 300ml reserve of water at all times.
• Switching of running packs by seconding teams is NOT allowed. Start with one pack and carry it for the entire duration of your race. Your timing chip is attached to your running pack; it CAN'T be removed and must be visible to the Ultra Trail Dubai crew at all times. 
• Runners may take as much food and beverage as needed from each Aid Station provided by the organiser. Race participants will not be allowed to take any bottles, cans or cups from these areas and should plan on carrying and refilling their own hydration systems at the Aid Stations.
• Runners may run, walk or crawl, but may not make use of any motorised or wheeled vehicles during the race. If a runner goes off the marked course for any reason, they must make their way back onto the course on foot. 
• Runners must make forward progress exclusively under their own power. Carrying, pulling or pushing by other racers or members of the public is prohibited.
• Runners who choose to use poles must carry these on them at all times, from start to finish. Poles cannot be discarded, stashed or given to the crew for keeping. Please be conscious of those around you when using poles.
• DNF (Did Not Finish): Should you need to drop out of the race, you will need to continue to the nearest Aid Station along the marked course and inform the station captain. NOTE: If you are not sure who that is, please ask around until you find them - this is your responsibility. If you are unable to continue, the medical team will communicate this to Race HQ.
• Receiving an IV drip from the Event Medical Crew will automatically disqualify you, and you will not be allowed to continue in the race. 

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ENVIRONMENT & COURSE

​The mountain trails have been preserved by many people ahead of our event, so please take care of the trails and surroundings and leave them pristine for those who come afterwards. 

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Any littering on the course is strictly prohibited. Runners are responsible for ensuring that anything they discard goes into a bin. Strictly adhere to the “leave no trace and take no souvenirs” policy.

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Yield on the trail by respecting other trail users (i.e. recreational users and residents) when passing – be aware of blind spots and slow down when you need to.

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Runners must follow the marked course the entire way and register at each Aid Station/Timing Point.. Shortcuts, including avoiding switchbacks, are not permitted.

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No overtaking by going off the trail. Wait until there is adequate space to pass another runner. 

If you deliberately ignore customary rules of conduct of the trail, road and checkpoints – especially concerning safety, waste, erosion and hygiene – you will at best incur a time penalty; at worst, it will be grounds for disqualification.​

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FOOD & DRINK

Participants may take as much food and beverage as needed from each aid station provided by the organiser. You will not be allowed to take any bottles, cans or cups from these areas and should plan on carrying and refilling your hydration systems at the aid stations.

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We are a cupless race, and carrying your own cup is compulsory. 

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CUT-OFF TIMES

Ultra Trail Dubai has several intermediate and race finish cut-off times that will be strictly enforced. Cut-offs are in place to ensure that the Medical/Search and Rescue teams can deploy to various parts of the route and ensure that the organisation meets the permit conditions of the event.

To be allowed to continue with your race, you must depart the checkpoint before the time cut-off, regardless of the time of arrival at the checkpoint.

You must obey the marshals if you miss any time cut-offs. ​​​

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TIMING & RECORDING

​You will be electronically recorded at points along the route. You may not skip these points and will have to present yourself at each Timing Point for recording. 

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BAG DROP

​We will provide a supervised bag storage service to all participants for free. Please drop your bag off at the designated Bag Service area on your specific race day. The organisers cannot be held liable for any losses. 

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REFUEL BAG DROP (100km only)​:

• You will be issued your own event Drop Bag and ID tag at Registration. Please check it in at the main marquee tent for transport to the Aid Station on the morning of the race. 
• You can place extra nutrition and a change of clothes/shoes/etc in this Drop Bag. No valuables are to be placed in your bag. 
• Your Drop Bag will be brought back to the finish for collection. Times to be confirmed closer to the event.
• Any bags not collected after the race will be donated to charity. No bag will be shipped back to participants.

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RESULTS

​Preliminary results will be available within 3 hours of the race ending on the website. Final results (with any corrections) will be posted on this website within a few days of the race.
 

Runners wishing to make a protest must notify the race command centre within 60 minutes of the results going live.

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Protests will be considered by a three-person committee consisting of the race director and two independent third parties. Decisions of the committee are final.

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VOLUNTEERS

​Volunteers are the backbone of the race week. As participants, please show your appreciation for their efforts to help you finish the race by thanking and giving a smile to our volunteers. We are always looking for volunteers. Do you have friends or family who may want to volunteer? Learn more and sign up by visiting our Volunteer page on the website - coming soon.
 

INSURANCE

​The organiser, World Iconic Events LLC, has public liability insurance cover. This does not include personal accident insurance for competitors. We recommend that you arrange your own personal accident insurance, ambulance cover and income protection insurance before participating in the event to cover any unforeseen personal costs you may incur due to ambulance trips, medical expenses or time off work due to injuries sustained whilst participating in the event. International participants should take out travel insurance that provides cover for ultra-trail running events.

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SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

​As an Ultra Trail Dubai participant, you are responsible for yourself and should know the rules and regulations of the race. You need to be able to evaluate your mental and physical abilities. You need to be sufficiently trained and keep all the necessary equipment with you. Runners should be able to complete the race in a semi-autonomous manner in terms of food, drink, clothing and safety. This requires an ability to adapt and face expected or unexpected problems (darkness, bad weather, physical ailments, injury, etc.).

The event takes place on extremely rugged, single-track hiking trails. Running on such trails comes with inherent risks that runners accept upon entering the event. Runners will be in remote areas where help is not always nearby for extended periods and need to be prepared accordingly in cases of emergency.

In addition to trail conditions, other potential dangers include but are not limited to wet/slippery trail conditions (mud, roots and rocks), wet/slippery boardwalks and bridges, bees/bee stings, road crossings and steep drop-offs/cliffs. Caution must be taken with regard to personal safety and incidents of crime. While highly unlikely that such incidents will occur, we recommend partnering up along the route.

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EMERGENCIES​

​If you leave the race route and fail to notify race officials, you will be banned from participating in the future (unless assisted from the course by First Aid crews). We will provide a shuttle service back to the start/finish, but we cannot guarantee the frequency of the service. We recommend you put somebody on standby or call for a taxi.

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If you become immobile and need to consult with a medic, you will need to take the following steps:

1. Initially, use your first aid kit, stay warm, dry and be visible, and remain on the marked course.
2. Trigger the emergency help button via the MYSOS app (pre-installed on your Phone), which will trigger your location to Search and Rescue.
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   Phone the emergency number located on your race number; you will be asked for your race number, name and location​. Help will be sent on its way.
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If there is no cell reception:

1. Initially, use your first aid kit, stay warm, dry and be visible, and remain on the marked course.
2. Attempt to trigger the emergency help button via the MYSOS app, regardless (pre-installed on your Phone). A delayed signal may be found, which will trigger your location to Search and Rescue Teams.
3. Wait for an assisting participant who will find and alert the nearest marshal or staff member, who will make contact with Race HQ.
4. A medical and rescue team will be dispatched to your location.

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You will either be treated and allowed to continue or be evacuated off the route to the nearest medical asset by ambulance or, in life-threatening situations, by helicopter.