All rules are at the final discretion of the race management team. No challenges will be permitted.
Mandatory Gear: Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times. A time penalty of one hour will be imposed for any item found to be missing at any point on course. Please refer to this page for explanations on the inclusion of the below items.
There are many options regards kit for fulfilling these requirements and those of other events. We stock what we believe to be the best options at our online store available by clicking here. Please ask us if you have any questions.
- Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (on the number you have given at registration)
- Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.
- Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
- Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar, minimum 10000mm+ & must have sealed seams.
- Whistle
- Headtorch or Primary Light Source Minimum 75 lumens (From Knockholt Pound Only)
- Back Up Light source - Minimum 25 Lumens (From Knockholt Pound Only)
- Long sleeved base layer or fleece top - This must be carried separately from the start and kept dry, for use only in an emergency. Starting in 2 layers is not a substitute.
- Cup
| # | Rule | Runner Action | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There will be no unofficial runners. | Unofficial Runners/ Running without a registration or Running under another name | Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 2 | Each runners bib number must be worn on the front of the body and must be easily visible at all times. | Bib number not visible on front | One Hour Penalty |
| 3 | Runners must follow the marked trail/ course at all times. Any runner caught deliberately cutting the course will be banned from taking part in future Centurion events. | Short-cutting the route knowingly | At the RD's Discretion |
| 4 | Each runner must complete the entire course under his or her own power. | Receiving powered assistance ie. vehicular, bike, horse, or short rope from pacer | DQ and Lifetime Ban |
| 5 | Runners may not store supplies of any kind along the trail. | Storing Supplies along the trail | Two Hour Penalty |
| 6 | Each runner must be checked IN to all aid stations. You will be disqualified if your time is not registered at every aid station. | Check In at All Aid Stations | At the RD's Discretion |
| 7 | Cut-off times will be strictly enforced. There are cut offs at EVERY aid station. Runners leaving any aid station after the cut off will not be listed as official finishers and will not be eligible for awards. | Continuing/ leaving aid station after cut off | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 8 | Injection of PEDs or Fluids/ IVs by non-official race medical personnel | Injection of PEDs or Fluids/ IVs by non-official race medical personnel | DQ and Lifetime Ban |
| 9 | Littering of any kind will result in immediate disqualification. Runners caught littering will be banned from all future Centurion events. Please respect the natural beauty of our trails and the right of everyone to enjoy them. Littering will threaten our use of the trails and the future of the race. | Littering by competitor or crew | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 10 | Any runner who is unable to finish the race must personally inform the aid station captain of the nearest checkpoint of their decision to withdraw. HE OR SHE MUST HAND IN THEIR RACE NUMBER TO THE AID STATION CAPTAIN AT THAT TIME. This serves as official notice of a runner’s withdrawal from the race. Runners who leave the course without turning in their number will be classified as “lost,” initiating serach and rescue, for which the runner will be charged. | Not informing organisers of withdrawal from event | DQ and ban at race directors discretion |
| 11 | Runners are responsible for the actions of their crews and pacers. If your crew or pacer are deemed to have broken any of the runner race rules or separate rules for crew or pacers, the runner will be held accountable. Your crew act on YOUR behalf and based on YOUR instructions. | Crew/Pacers who are found to be complicit in breaking rules and/or assisting runner in breaking rules. | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 12 | Minimum age on race day is 20 | Providing false information relating to age on registration form | Lifetime Ban |
| 13 | Pacers are welcome to accompany runners at any stage after Otford BUT not more than one pacer can accompany a runner at any time. Pacers may accompany runners on foot only. See separate rules for pacers in the infopacks. | Pacers accompanying before first official allowed meeting point/ not on foot/ more than one pacer | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 14 | Runners must carry with them AT ALL TIMES the mandatory equipment required. | Missing Item of Mandatory Kit | Minimum of 1 hour penalty per missing item |
| 15 | There will be mandatory gear checks at the start, on route, or at the finish. Failure to comply with the gear checks will result in disqualification. | Refusal to have obligatory equipment checked | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 16 | Runners are not to be accompanied by dogs at any time whilst on course. | Accompanied by dog | DQ |
| 17 | Any athlete who has been determined to have violated anti-doping rules at any time - through IAAF, the World Anti-Doping Agency, UK Anti Doping or any other National Sports Federation is ineligible for entry into any of our events. We reserve the right to conduct pre and post-competition testing for any and all performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) listed on the current WADA Prohibited List. Any athlete who refuses to submit to anti-doping controls, if selected for testing, shall be disqualified and subject to a lifetime ban from our events. | Previous Doping Infraction or refusal to comply with testing if selected. | DQ and Lifetime Ban |
| 18 | Runners must not be crewed in any way at races listed as no crew permitted. Crewing is deemed as any physical assistance of any kind. | Being crewed on a no-crew race. | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 19 | Runners must at all times comply with any instruction given by race management, staff and volunteers. | Refusal to comply with an order from the race directors, race staff, doctors or rescue personnel. | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
RULE VIOLATION PROCEDURE
Any protests to a ruling or of a runner to runner violation must be submitted by a registered entrant and must be lodged using the following procedure:
1. Report the alleged violation to the runner, his/her crew or pacer as the incident occurs. Enlist a fellow witness to the alleged violation if possible.
2. Report the alleged violation with the runner’s name and number to the next available aid station staff.
3. Report the alleged violation in writing at the finish line to the race director. All protests must be submitted by 6pm on Monday following the race. Written protest must include the name of the person who lodged the complaint.
4. Decision on all violations and rules is at the final discretion of the Race Management ONLY. There will be no challenges after that decision.
The North Downs Way is used by, but not limited to, horse riders, walkers and mountain bikers. Please be aware of other people whilst you are running and be as polite and courteous as possible to them, making way when necessary, particularly to horses. We do not have priority over any other users out on the course, most will be totally unaware of the event taking place. All gates must be properly closed after you have gone through.
