Rules and Etiquette

1. EVENT DETAILS/PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

The 3Kings3Hills is a trail running event in the Bavarian Forest, located in the border triangle of Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. The event features multiple trails.
The start and finish are in Haidmühle. The trail runs along hiking trails, footpaths, gravel roads, bike paths, and public roads. Some sections of the routes include very difficult trails, exposed sections, and short climbing passages that require specific prior experience and knowledge from every participant.

Specifically, this means:

• Every participant must have general alpine experience
• Every participant must be aware of the course’s length and the physical challenge it poses and must enter the competition prepared for it
• By checking the acceptance box on the registration form, each participant confirms their full physical fitness to participate in this endurance competition involving extreme physical exertion. Additionally, each participant certifies that this physical fitness has been examined and confirmed by a sports physician prior to the competition.
• Each participant must be sure-footed and, in some cases, have a head for heights on technically very demanding trails and ascents.
• Each participant must have a well-developed sense of direction in challenging terrain, even in poor weather and visibility conditions. This includes navigating using topographic maps, GPS apps, and route information.
• Each participant must be informed about how to respond to emergencies in challenging terrain.
• Each participant agrees to abide by the cutoff times established and announced prior to the race.
• Eligibility for the 167-kilometer 100 Miles ULTRA TRAIL, the 118-kilometer ULTRA TRAIL® XL, the 54-kilometer ULTRA, the 40-kilometer MARATHON TRAIL, and the 25-kilometer BASE TRAIL are open to all individuals who have reached the age of 18 by the start of the event and are therefore of legal age.
• For the 14-kilometer SHORTY TRAIL, youths born in 2012 or later (as of January 1, 2012) participate with a written, explicit declaration of consent (which must be presented when picking up race numbers) from their parents or legal guardians. The parents or legal guardians thereby unconditionally assume full responsibility for their child on the day of the event.
• For the 6-kilometer TRAILY TRAIL, youth born in 2015 or later (as of January 1, 2015) may participate with a written, explicit declaration of consent (which must be brought to the race number pickup) from their parents or legal guardians. Parents or legal guardians thereby assume full and unconditional responsibility for their child on the day of the event. It is strongly recommended that children up to the age of 16 complete the trails accompanied by a supervising adult.
• The following applies unconditionally: The German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) serve as the central legal ordinance establishing all rules for participation in road traffic, based on the principle of mutual consideration (§ 1 StVO). This means that road traffic generally has the right of way.

We, as the organizers, cannot verify that participants possess the required prior experience and knowledge. By submitting their registration, participants confirm that they possess the listed experience and knowledge. The points listed by the organizer regarding this experience and knowledge are not exhaustive but are rather intended as examples and general guidelines.

3. COMPETITION CATEGORIES & AWARDS CEREMONY

The following competition categories are offered for each distance:

• Men / Women
• MU30 / WU30 (under 30 years old – cutoff date is July 23, 2027)
• M30 / W30 (over 30 years old – cutoff date is July 23, 2027)
• M40 / W40 (over 40 years old – cutoff date is July 23, 2027)
• M50 / W50 (over 50 years old – cutoff date is July 23, 2027)
• M60 / W60 (over 60 years old – cutoff date is July 23, 2027)
• M70 / W70 (over 70 years old – cutoff date is July 23, 2027)

The minimum number of participants per category is 5 registrations. If the minimum number of participants in a category is not reached, the participants will be classified in the next category (e.g., M70 in the M60 category).

There is no team competition.

The awards ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. on stage, featuring opening remarks by patron District Administrator Sebastian Gruber and the presentation of awards to the top three finishers—male and female—for each distance.

The age group results can be viewed live on the website after the race concludes. Due to time and financial constraints, it is not possible to honor the podium finishers in the age groups.

Only athletes who are present will be honored. Prizes will be mailed only after prior consultation!

5. RACE NUMBER

Each participant will receive their race number at the race number pickup area upon presentation of their ID. The race number must be worn clearly visible on the front of the body at all times during the race and must not be covered by clothing. The race number is personal and non-transferable. Advertising on the race numbers must not be covered. The race number must never be removed, unless the participant is disqualified for a rule violation or withdraws from the race early.

7. BRIEFINGS/START

The race briefing will be published online no later than the day before the race. During the briefing, the race director will inform participants about the specific features of the course, weather conditions, changes, etc.

The lineup begins approximately 30 minutes before the official start time (depending on the number of registered participants) with a check of the mandatory equipment.
The additional, final briefing for all starters, led by the race director, begins approximately 15 minutes before the official start time.

9. ROUTE MARKINGS

The 3Kings3Hills route is marked by an experienced and competent marking team using marking spray, ground markings, directional arrows, survey tape, flagging tape, etc. In addition, course marshals are stationed at key points along the route. However, there is no guarantee of continuous route marking that would eliminate the need for participants to navigate the terrain on their own. You will normally find a marker at least every kilometer. Especially during heavy rain, snowfall, or other adverse weather conditions, the markings may have disappeared, been covered up, or not be visible in time; therefore, every participant must carry the route map for the respective course. It should also be noted that, unfortunately, markers may sometimes be removed by third parties. We therefore strongly recommend that you download the relevant GPX data to your watch or smartphone to avoid inconvenience or getting lost. You can find the data on the website under “Routes.” The additional markers will be removed by the tail runners immediately after the last runner has passed.
As a general rule: If no marker is visible, go straight ahead.

11. TIME LIMITS

There are strict time limits for each distance, by which participants must pass the respective checkpoints at the latest. However, these time limits may be adjusted by the race director and course manager based on current conditions on the course and weather conditions, and may be modified accordingly. If the time limits are not met, the participants in question will be withdrawn from the race by the race director, course manager, the organizing team, checkpoint staff, or the tail runners in the interest of their own safety.

Any participant removed from the race is personally and solely responsible for their own return transportation to Haidmühle. Neither the organizer nor the mountain rescue service can arrange for return transportation on race day.

13. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE RACE

Participants who, for whatever reason (e.g., exhaustion, injury, etc.), decide to withdraw from the race must immediately notify the organizer (emergency number). For participants who do not notify the organizer via the provided phone number, the organizer will initiate a search and rescue operation (which may involve mountain rescue teams and helicopters) at the participant’s expense.

Every participant who withdraws from the race is personally and solely responsible for their own return transportation to Haidmühle. Neither the organizer nor the mountain rescue service can arrange for return transportation on race day. Please arrange in advance for a reliable person who can safely pick you up—even from more remote sections of the course—at your own responsibility.

Medical Assessment of Athletes During the Race: To ensure the safety of participants, medical personnel will be stationed at certain aid stations to assess the athletes’ condition and provide clear medical recommendations. If the medical staff issues an unambiguous recommendation to withdraw from the race and end participation, the athlete will be removed from the race and thus from the official results by race officials. The athlete must then comply unconditionally with the medical staff’s instructions.

15. EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE

Emergency responders are stationed along the route; when needed, they are provided by local (mountain) rescue teams as well as by our race physician. Through these teams, participants will receive medical assistance and/or advice as quickly as possible in emergencies and for medically relevant questions. Participants must follow the instructions of the emergency responders without exception.

17. ASSISTANCE FROM OUTSIDE

No participant may accept assistance from third parties (spectators, support staff, other participants)—except in the event of falls, injuries, or other emergencies—during the race. The only exceptions to this rule are the provision of food, beverages, clothing, or replacement equipment by companions standing along the course, as well as medical assistance.

19. SPECIAL 3KINGS3HILLS RULES

• The 3Kings3Hills trails take place on public roads that are not closed to traffic, forest roads, and hiking trails.
• Participants must comply with traffic laws at all times. All participants must follow the instructions of the police, the race director, the course marshals, and other course personnel.
• The 3Kings3Hills routes run largely along hiking trails through the Bavarian Forest. Off the official route, there may be a risk of falling in some areas; therefore, taking shortcuts (including “shortcutting” hairpin turns, curves, switchbacks, etc.) or choosing alternative routes on one’s own are prohibited. Each participant runs at their own risk.
• Participants must exercise the necessary caution on sections of the course with limited visibility or that are hazardous. The organizer reserves the right to prohibit passing on dangerous sections of the course or to instruct participants to reduce their walking or running speed and to exercise appropriate caution.
• The organizer reserves the right to change sections of the course or replace them with alternative routes in advance of the event or, due to weather conditions, even at short notice.
• Support vehicles must not interfere with the race in any way; providing assistance from a moving support vehicle is not permitted. Interference with the race or obstructions caused by support vehicles may result in time penalties or disqualification of the supported participant, as determined by the jury. If support vehicles are encountered on sections of the course that are closed to public traffic, this will result in the immediate disqualification of the participant who was or was to be supported by the support vehicle.
• For reasons of nature conservation, it is strictly prohibited for those accompanying or supporting individual participants to litter or damage the course and/or the surrounding natural environment. This includes, in particular, individually spraying or painting the course with messages for the starting participants, even if this is done with biodegradable chalk spray. If escorts or support personnel violate this rule, it will result in the immediate disqualification of the participant(s) who were supported or were intended to be supported by these actions.
• Except for directly at the checkpoints into the designated trash bins, it is prohibited to dispose of trash such as food packaging, bottles, or drink cups in the natural environment. Any violation will result in immediate disqualification.
• The following rule generally applies to the use of poles: Anyone who starts with poles must carry them with them all the way to the finish line. Conversely, no participant who started without poles may have them handed to them along the route.
• All participants are expected to act with consideration, sportsmanship, and fairness.