You can participate as a competitor (Trail), a walker (Walktrail), or a volunteer. The races and hikes are semi-self-sufficient in water and food. The routes are at least 90% unpaved, with very steep gradients and difficult terrain. Participation is not recommended for those who are not adequately trained. Those who register understand that, due to the nature of the routes, there is a risk of serious injury, and that it may take a long time for emergency services to arrive. Refreshment stations will be stocked with food and drinking water. Plastic cups will not be available at the refreshment stations; for drinking, you must bring your own cup or other suitable container. Drinking directly from the organizer’s bottles or bins is not permitted. Athletes are required to dispose of waste in the designated bins provided by the organizers. For your own safety, you are required to stay on the route. Any competitor who strays from the marked trails is no longer under the responsibility of the organizers. The races will take place in all weather conditions that do not seriously jeopardize the safety of participants. The schedule may be subject to changes based on contingent circumstances, which will be communicated at the briefing.

Competitors are required to provide assistance to participants in difficulty. The race bib must be worn on the chest or stomach and must be fully visible at all times throughout the race. It must therefore be worn over all clothing and under no circumstances attached to the pack, back, or leg. Sponsors must not be modified or hidden. It is forbidden to be accompanied on the race course by a person who is not duly registered. For safety reasons, the use of headphones for listening to iPods or similar devices is not permitted. The organizers reserve the right to impose mandatory equipment at stages where necessary. A time limit will be set for each race, starting from the official start. Athletes who finish the race after this time limit, even if they are included in the rankings, will only be awarded 0.5 points and will not be eligible for the stage awards ceremony.

Anyone who believes they will be unable to complete the race within the time limit may request an early start, where applicable.

Since the early start is an option designed to favor slower athletes, its use by faster athletes who don’t really need it is considered unfair to other athletes of equal caliber and, moreover, complicates the organizers’ work. Therefore, to discourage those who misuse it, early starters are not permitted to cross the finish line before the overall winner (if male) or the overall winner (if female). Athletes who choose to start early and cross the finish line before the overall winner (male or female) will be awarded a time equal to that of the first runner-up + a time equal to the lead time + 15 minutes.

On sections where the route crosses ordinary roads, which will not be closed to vehicular traffic, competitors are required to comply with the Highway Code. If they abandon the race along the route, they are required to notify the organization of their abandonment by registering as having withdrawn at the nearest checkpoint; the organization will be responsible for their return from the checkpoint to the finish line. The time required to accompany retired athletes to the finish line depends on the availability of transportation at the time and may take several dozen minutes. Each competitor expressly waives the right to use their image rights during the races, and waives any recourse against the organization and its authorized partners for the use of their image. During the event, it is forbidden to express political, religious, or social issues unless otherwise agreed with the organizers. Each participant will be given a bib to use for all stages. If lost, each additional bib will cost €1.00. The winner must meet the last-place finisher at the finish line. Attendance at the pre-race briefing is mandatory.

A commission will be established for each race to resolve any disputes regarding violations and related penalties.

The commission will be composed of:

1. 1. The Ecotrailsicilia manager, Aldo Siragusa;
   2. the race judge, Giuseppe D’Ambra;
   3. a manager of the participating companies

In the event of the absence of one of these figures, replacements will be designated from among the local organizers of the various events. The composition of the Commission will be announced at the pre-race briefing.
The organizers will apply the following penalties for those who do not comply with the rules:

• • Drinking directly from the organizers’ bottles or bins: 10 minutes.
  • Poorly placed or clipped bib: 10 minutes.
  • Use of headphones for listening to an iPod or similar device: 15 minutes.
  • Having an unregistered person accompany you on the course: 40 minutes.
  • Abandoning the race without notifying the organizers: 1 hour (the penalty will be applied to the next stage).
  • Involuntary cutting: – if quantifiable with certainty: 20 minutes/km or fraction of a km – if not quantifiable: PLACEMENT AT THE END OF THE RANKING.
  • Involuntary cutting: DISQUALIFICATION.
  • Littering outside the bins: DISQUALIFICATION.
  • Failure to assist participants in difficulty: DISQUALIFICATION.
  • Disrespect for race personnel: 1 HOUR.
  • Political, religious, or socially motivated complaints: DISQUALIFICATION.
  • Lack of mandatory equipment: at the discretion of the Committee.

Any aggravating circumstances may increase penalties. Any complaints must be submitted in writing to the organizing secretariat within 30 minutes of the posting of the ranking in the finish area, along with a €20.00 deposit, which will be refunded only if the complaint is upheld.