Safety

REGARDLESS OF DISTANCE, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW..

This event absolutely ROCKS!
Courses traverse very rugged alpine terrain in an environment that is incredibly changeable and can be incredibly harsh.
The Ring of Fire team takes the safety of our competitors, marshals, and event staff very seriously. We encourage everyone to read all details on our Safety page.
There are strict compulsory gear requirements for each distance.
There are minimum age requirements for each distance. See individual distance pages for requirements.
There is no safe water supply on the mountain and only if you’re doing 50km or 73km will you see a very limited number of drink/aid station stops. All entrants must take enough food/water with them to remain completely self-sufficient for the length of time they may be on course.
Entrants not making specific cut-offs will be transported to the finish area as quickly as possible. We all have bad days but it is vital that you are prepared as you can be for this event. Preparation needs to include the training required to be fit enough to complete the distance you have chosen. If your preparation hasn’t been great and/or you are unsure about making the cut-offs please consider dropping down a distance and tackling the desired distance 12 months later. Ultra distance running does place stress on the body so if you have any doubts, you should consult your health professional.
If any planned courses cannot be used on Saturday, then contingency courses will be implemented. The event has multiple contingency courses to use. In rare scenarios where extreme conditions do not allow for any contingency courses to be used on the Saturday, then the event will be cancelled.
The safety management team always hope for the best, but we plan for everything.
Check out this page for details on what could happen before you depart your start line:
– The MAIN Physical Event
– A MODIFIED Physical Event
– A VIRTUAL Format

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RING OF FIRE

Taking part in the Ring of Fire includes taking on risks. With preparation and care these risks can be minimised so that you have a fun and safe event experience.

Hazards include:
• Accident/injury
• Bridges/ steps/ barriers / board walks
• Chemical sprays, poison baits, predator traps
• Cliffs/ banks
• Dehydration
• Fatigue
• Flooding
• Getting lost
• Heat stroke / Hyperthermia
• Hikers / cyclists / mountain bike shuttle buses
• Hyponatremia
• Low light conditions
• Medical problems
• Poor fitness
• Renal shutdown
• Steep slopes
• Streams
• Vegetation spikes, prickles, sharp leaf edges
• Vehicles/ public roads / competitors/ spectators hit by traffic

Some Key Hazards:

HAZARD: Trips and falls on rough terrain causing injury.
COMMENT: There are some very technical sections of the course including the Cascade waterfall climb, the Wahianoa Gorge and dropping off the Tukino Road into the valley. Much of leg one and two have a very uneven running surface.
MANAGEMENT: Take care with where you place your feet and the pace at which you run. Use a good quality headlamp in the dark. If it is technical, slow down to pick your path.

HAZARD: Hypothermia from the cold.
COMMENT: Symptoms include shivering, cold fingers and toes and skin colour change.
MANAGEMENT: You need to take enough gear to star warm while running or walking and enough gear to keep you warm if you stop and can not continue. Take all of the compulsory gear and put it on BEFORE you are cold or wet or both.

HAZARD: Traffic collision.
COMMENT: The event uses short sections of public road. Although we do have a Traffic Management Plan in place, none of the roads are closed. Please note: there are NO competitor or supporter vehicles allowed up the Tukino Access Road from the entry point of the Desert Road.
MANAGEMENT: Treat all roads as public road. Take care, run on the shoulder, heads up and watch out for traffic. There is no access to the Tukino road for event entrants or supporters. Supporters must also take care when driving on the roads.

COMPULSORY GEAR REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ENTRANTS

The specific gear lists required for each distance can be found on the respective distances page.

All compulsory equipment will be checked at the pre event registration. (If the entrant does not show the correct safety gear, then they will not be permitted to recieve timing transponder/race number)
All compulsory gear MAY be checked on race day at the various start lines. (If the entrant does not have the correct safety gear, then they will not be permitted to start the race).
All compulsory gear MAY be checked on race day at random checkpoints around the course. (If the entrant does not have the correct safety gear, then they will not be permitted to continue in the event).

Regardless of what is on your event distance list, it may be sensible to carry more layers of clothing than the compulsory list, so a backpack capable of carrying all of your equipment will be essential. We recommend using a drybag or sealed ziplock bag to make sure your stuff stays dry inside your pack. We recommend considering using hiking poles. Black Diamond make some excellent light weight and strong poles.

The reason the compulsory gear is required is because the event takes place in an Alpine environment which can pose extremely harsh environmental conditions (wind, rain or temperature.) There is also very limited access to the course i.e. access is by foot or helicopter. If you get injured (and are unable to move) it may take event staff two or more hours to reach you. If we cannot use a rescue helicopter to evacuate you (i.e. through poor visibility, night time) then you may be on the mountain for a long time, either being carried out on a stretcher, in one of the huts, or a tent with a medic.

See our sponsors, True Fleece Merino for official merchandise including base layers, thermal tops and beanies!

EMERGENCY PLANS

Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano. Although extremely unlikely, we are prepared for the risk of a fire, lahar, eruption or landslide.
In most cases your best response is to move away from any danger.
Always follow all instructions from staff who may hold you at certain huts or locations.

What to do if you are injured / ill or just can not continue to run/walk:
1. Stay calm.
2. Contact one of the two phone numbers on your race bib. Or;
3. Stop the next runner going past you and ask for help.
4. Apply first aid to yourself.
5. Put on all of your clothing.
6. If you are in an exposed position, but can still walk, try to get out of the wind. Often you will only have to move 5-10 metres to be in a more sheltered spot, but make sure you are not hidden from the track so that staff can not find you.
7. Get into your survival bag.
8. Wait for assistance.

We have Field Medics plus other Marshals on course, many of whom have alpine tents and sleeping bags. These medics will get to you as soon as they can. Once the medic has assessed you, you will either be assisted out by the medics to a road end or a hut. A rescue helicopter MAY be able to extract you. But if the helicopter cannot fly/land, then there is also a chance that you may spend an extended period on the mountain. Remember that at this point – you will have a medic with you and will be in a sleeping bag and in a tent.

What to do if you are lost.

• Stop.
• Think, can you retrace your steps to the last known track marker? If yes then do so.
• If you cannot retrace your steps then stay put.
• Blow your whistle.
• Follow steps 1-8 above (excluding steps 3-4)

MEDICAL ADVICE FROM OUR MEDICAL TEAM

Do not start this race if you are unwell or injured. You place yourself and others at risk.
Do not use Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (Ibuprofen, nurofen, diclofenac, voltaren, naproxen) – sure to cause trouble!
Drink to thirst. Drink varied fluids, take on food during the race, have a varied intake.
Be prepared for the conditions. Hot, cold, dry or wet – have a plan for a range of conditions.
Look out for each other. If you are concerned about any runner, please notify the medical team.
The race doesn’t end at the finish line. Pack warm clothes for basking in your success at the finish.
Do not drive home if you are fatigued. Have someone drive you or stay the night at the event.

PARTICIPATION RULES

The following rules apply to this event and will be strictly enforced.

I have read and understand the information regarding this event and understand that I participate in this event at my own risk.
I acknowledge and accept that trail running carries an inherent risk of injury, illness and in extreme cases, death.
I understand that competing in the Ring of Fire involves running and walking on an alpine mountain on wilderness trails and up and down steep terrain. The hazards may include but are not limited to; actions of spectators, bridges, board walks, banks, cliffs, fatigue, flooding, getting lost, general public, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, ice, low light, loose rocks, other competitors, motor vehicle traffic, roots, rocks, soft sand, steep banks adjacent to the track, stream crossings, snow, slippery surfaces, vehicles, vegetation, weather conditions including storms.
I hereby attest and verify that I am physically fit and have trained sufficiently for this event.
I have provided correct and accurate information about myself and my emergency contact, including contact phone numbers.
I acknowledge that although the Ring of Fire has medical personnel and resources at various points along the course, the inaccessibility of much of the trail will make it difficult or impossible for medical assistance to reach me immediately and extractions may take a period of time.
I agree to allow event medical staff to treat me as they see fit.
I hereby allow the use of my name and image to be used in the media and for marketing purposes for this event only.
I will stay on the marked course at all times, unless instructed by event staff.
I will obey all course marking.
I will wear or take the compulsory safety equipment required by the event.
My support crew and I will obey the instructions given by event staff.
I accept that I may be pulled from the course at any time with the discretion of event staff, primarily for, but not limited to, safety reasons.
I will complete the entire course under my own power.
I will not light any fires.
I will be respectful of other National Park users such as recreational walkers.
I will not litter.
Dogs are not allowed on the course.
I agree that all of the equipment I bring to the event will be checked, cleaned and dried (to avoid spreading pests).
Smoking is not permitted at any of the checkpoints or along the trail by participants, staff, spectators or supporters.
I will use the toilets on the course, or if this is not possible, then I will toilet into a compostable bag (supplied by the event) and take this waste to the nearest portaloo / waste bin.
Any participant who is unable to finish the event must inform the nearest event staff of their decision to withdraw and make sure their race number is recorded, or text the Event Safety phone numbers (see race number for phone numbers).
Participants who leave the course/event without informing staff of their race number will be classified as “missing”. The participant will be contacted on their mobile phone and their emergency contact will be called. If there is no response from either party or the emergency contact does not know the status of the runner, a search will be activated. Any search related costs will be charged to the participant.
I will be drug and alcohol free for this event. Race management reserves the right to drug test any participant competing in this event – from the time of registration to after the completion of the event. Agreement to submit to drug testing is a condition of entry.
I will not take any form of NSAID drugs such as Ibuprofen as part of this event.
I understand that the event transfer and refund policies are, as stated on the website at the time I entered, and are not negotiable.
I hereby acknowledge this waiver, release and indemnity discharge all persons, corporations, associations and bodies involved or otherwise engaged in promoting or staging the event and their servants, agents, representatives, officers and employees. This includes but is not limited to the various committees, members, and employees of all independent contracted suppliers to the event, local councils, cities and districts and their respective officers, directors, employees, independent contractors, representatives, agents, volunteers, event organisers and sponsors whether or not the loss, injury or damage is attributed to the act or neglect of any or more of them.
I also understand that my contact details will be added to the events database, and that I will receive emails directly from the Ring of Fire. I understand that I can unsubscribe from this database at any time. The event will not, under any circumstances, distribute at any time, the contact details of those on the event database.
Violations of any rules may be grounds for disqualification from the Ring of Fire for one or more years, or other sanctions such as time penalties, fines, and/or disqualification from awards. In the case of a very serious breach of these rules, then the participant may be banned from all events run by Victory Events.

TOILETING POLICY

Whilst we will have portaloos located at all start points & aid stations, along with the composting toilets at the DOC huts on the Round the Mountain Track, we still need to ensure that there is zero human waste left in this pristine environment. So if you need to go the toilet away from actual toilets, you will need to basically poo in a bag. (based on the event you are participating in you will receive a pre-determined number of bags when you register that can be used. There will be enough to do your business and then bag it and place it in a dry bag (optional and supplied by you) that you will stow in your backpack to place in the next DOC toilet you reach on the track network. We know this might not be a fun procedure, but nor are a whole lot of land mines around the course that pollute the environment. We appreciate your consideration and cooperation.

COVID-19

The health and safety of athletes, supporters, volunteers and staff at the ROF is our greatest priority.

The event will provide and relevant Covid-19 updates to entrants in advance of the 2023 event.

For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the NZ Ministry of Healthline team (for free if calling from within NZ) on 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS.