REGULATIONS RODOPI CHALLENGE 50 MILES 2026 (02/5/2026)
1. GENERAL: The Rodopi Challenge (ROC) is an “introductory” mountain ultra trail race, 50 miles long, organized by the ROUT Foundation (non-profit org “Rodopi Ultra Trail AMKE” ) in the mountain range of Rodopi, every spring. The race has a length of 89 kilometers and a total positive altitude difference (D+) of 4800 meters. The route is part of the ROUT CLASSIC 100 miles route and has the form of a “loop”. The race starts from the Forest Village of Erymanthos, in Haidou and after reaching the village of Prasinada, it then enters the primeval forest of Bardakova, reaches Pangalos (an old Army outpost), then the Oxia position and begins the return to Silli and back to Prasinada where from there it follows the original route backwards this time and with the finish at the same point as the start in the Forest Village of Erymanthos.
2. PHILOSOPHY: The race aims to introduce the participating athletes to the spirit and philosophy of solitude expressed by the main event of the event, the ROUT CLASSIC 100 miles (ROUT). It is an introductory event to ROUT and for this reason it follows its logic and characteristics. The birth of the ROC arose from the need to create an intermediate (transitional) level in the mountain marathon races and the 100 miler ROUT, in order to bridge the gap between these two categories of races. Thanks to the ROC, numerous athletes have been smoothly guided towards the mountatin ultra trail races.
3. ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to men and women over 20 years of age and up to the age of 70, based on the participation criteria.
4. CRITERION: The criterion for participation in the race is a finish in a marathon mountain running race of at least 40K or a dropout in a 40K minimum, race that exceeds 50K. The qualifying race must have taken place after 1/1/2024 and by the date of application.
5. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: The maximum number of competitors is 300. Applications submitted during the registration period and meeting the entry criteria will be accepted on a first come – first served basis.
6. REGISTRATION DURATION: The submission of applications for 2026 will start on Monday 1 December 2025 at 00:00 until Sunday 15 March 2026 and as long as the maximum number (300) has not been reached.
7. FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION: The financial contribution for 2026 is 80,00 euros and is payable at the time of registration by credit card. ATTENTION: Since the payment is made directly with the registration application, the eligibility criterion must be met.
8. BENEFITS: The race organization undertakes to provide the athletes with: lunch, before and after the race, catering during the race, a souvenir gift, medical support and a commemorative medal to the athletes who finish the race on time.
9. CANCELLATION: Cancellation of participation and refund of 50% of the price is accepted until the closing of registrations (28.02.2026)
10. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE: The organization does not ask the athletes to present a medical certificate. Each athlete is responsible for checking his/her health through a series of regular examinations.
11. COVID-19 PROTOCOL .
12. FIRST AID: The organization undertakes the medical support (first aid) and the safety of the athletes at the support stations and at the Control Points. The 112 telephone number is for emergencies and it is advisable for athletes to be able to contact it in case of emergency.
13. COPYRIGHT: The organization has the copyright of the race and the rights to use photos and videos produced on the day of the race.
14. PERSONAL DATA: The organization, in compliance with the principles of personal data protection, does not make public the personal data of the athletes, nor does it give them to third parties for commercial or other purposes.
15. ATHLETE NUMBER: The submission of the athletes’ numbers (bib) will take place on the eve of the competition, Friday 01/05/2026, from 12:00 noon to 12:00 at night, as well as on Saturday 02/05/2026 (day of the competition) , until 4:30 in the morning. Numbers are only delivered to the athletes themselves, upon presentation of any identification.
16. TECHNICAL UPDATE: A few days before the race, a detailed information about all the details of the race will be sent to the athletes via e-mail. In addition, on the afternoon of the race eve at the awards ceremony at 19.00 all last minute questions will be answered by the athletes.
17. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT: Athletes have the responsibility and prudence to carry with them the necessities to meet their basic and emergency needs. However, due to the weather conditions that have prevailed in recent years, the organization requires participants to carry with them a minimum mandatory equipment: waterproof jacket, buff, fluid container, medical kit, aluminium blanket, head torch, telephone and whistle.
18. PENALTIES: The following offences are punishable by cancellation: a) missing a check point, b) throwing rubbish on the route, c) inappropriate behaviour towards volunteers or fellow athletes, d) providing assistance outside the support stations, e) pacing by persons not participating in the race, f) use of a self-propelled vehicle for any reason or distance (lifetime exclusion from the event).
19. TIME LIMIT: The start of the race will be at 05.00 at Forest Village. The time limit for the race finish is set at 19.30 hours. Apart from the finish line, there are two intermediate limits in the middle of the race (Pagalos), at 10:30 hours and at Prasinada 2 , at 13:00 hours. Extensions of the limit will only be granted in extremely adverse weather conditions. Please note that a valid finish is a qualification for ROUT CLASSIC 2026
20. INTERRUPTION – SUSPENSION: Interruption of the race, temporary or permanent, can be given at the discretion of the organization due to adverse weather conditions at any point of the race. The same may occur at the start, which may be postponed for a short period of time and with a view to improving conditions. In the event of bad weather, the time limits of the race may also be extended. In such extreme conditions, at the discretion of the organisation, the route may be changed. In case of postponement of the race due to adverse weather or social conditions, the organization may postpone the race to another date in 2024. – FINANCIAL POLICY: In case of interruption of the race or change of the race route or cancellation of the race, there will be NO financial compensation. In case of postponement of the race to another date in 2025 there will be no additional charge.
21. EXIT: An athlete may leave the race only after handing over his/her number to the Checkpoint officials. From the moment of handing over the number onwards, which is equivalent to abandonment, the athlete has every right to manage his time and forces as he determines. The responsibility of the organization is limited to transporting him by its own means to the Forest Village, if he is located : c) in Zarkadia, b) in Prasinada, c) in Livaditis.
22. MARKING: The signposting of the route varies according to the section of the route and is based mainly on signs with the race logo, ribbons and a combination of other means of marking. The first 10 and the last 20 km will also be marked with night (reflective) signs.
23. FOOD SUPPLIES: There will be 3 food stations at the race: a) Prasinada-1 , b) Pangalos , c) Prasinada-2 . A variety of fresh and cooked food and vegan food will be offered at the stations. Athletes are required to carry a multi-purpose cup with them so that they can be served any kind of liquids at the stations.
24. DROP-BAG: Each athlete is entitled to deliver to the organization a 30 liters drop-bag with materials, equipment and consumables of his/her choice, which will be transferred to Prasinada (K 30 & K 54) under the responsibility of the organization. The bag can have a capacity of up to 30 litres and can be delivered to the organisation on the eve of the race at 21:00 pm. The bags will be returned to the Forest Village by the end of the race, again at the responsibility of the organisation.
25. EXTERNAL SUPPORT : External support to athletes is allowed only within the limits of the support stations (Prasinada 1 & 2, Pagalos).
26. CONTROL POINTS: In the race there are 15 control points, where for safety reasons and for the proper functioning of the race, the athletes are recorded.
27. SCOOPE : A team of volunteers will follow the last athlete of the race, for safety reasons, while having the possibility to participate in the coordination of the assistance to a suffering athlete, in cooperation with the medical staff of the event.
28. PRIZES-MEDALS: The winners of the race will be awarded with commemorative trophies and all athletes who finish the race on time will receive a commemorative medal. The first three overall winners, the first three women, the first man and the first woman in the Master category(over 60+ & 50+) and the first Team will be honored. Note: A Team is considered to be one whose Athletes will have declared at registration the exact same name and will consist of at least 4 athletes. The team time is the sum of the first 4 athletes of the team to finish the race.
29. AMENDMENT: These regulations are subject to revision without notice, but in general the spirit of the regulations remains unchanged.
