Rules

These rules govern KOLON TRAIL RUN 2026 BHUTAN. By registering, participants acknowledge they have read and signed both these rules and a separate Waiver, together forming a legal contract between the organizer and the runner. In any case not covered by these rules, or in the event of weather or in-country emergencies, final authority rests with the Organizing Committee.

Governing law. These rules are governed by and construed under the laws of the Republic of Korea. The Seoul Central District Court shall have first-instance jurisdiction over any dispute between the organizer and a participant.

Runners must be 20+ on race day and prove their level with an ITRA Performance Index / UTMB Index of 500+, or a 50km+ trail finish within the past two years. All required medical documentation must be submitted by deadline. The organizer is not liable for entry refusal caused by participant-side document delays or personal-reason denials of entry to Bhutan.

Local Bhutanese runners. Bhutanese nationals are exempt from the SDF and visa requirements and apply through a separate Local Category. They must still submit a medical certificate (with EKG) and comply identically with every medical-stop and safety rule.

Daily medical screening. From arrival (Day 1 reception) through the end of the event, every runner must take a mandatory daily health check, temperature, blood pressure, and SpO₂. Failing the medical team's thresholds can withhold race-start clearance regardless of paperwork.

Medical Stop. If on-site medical staff judge a runner at risk (low SpO₂, impaired judgement, etc.), they may order a stop. If the runner contests the reading and the situation is not life-threatening, a re-test is given after a 15-minute rest under the Medical Director's supervision. The Medical Director's final decision cannot be overturned; absent the organizer's willful misconduct or gross negligence, no refund or compensation may be claimed on its basis.

IV Hydration. Any runner who receives intravenous fluids during the race is immediately classified DNF; the finish is not credited.

Insurance. Separate from the organizer's liability insurance, personal insurance covering 4,000m+ outdoor activity and emergency evacuation (helicopter included) is strongly recommended, with an English-language certificate. Without it, all costs of any on-site emergency rescue are borne entirely by the participant.

The Bangkok–Paro charter operates under the airline's general terms. Weather or operational delays may occur; the organizer holds liability exemption. The organizer reserves the right to adjust start time or shorten the course in the interest of safety, without obligation of compensation.

Baggage liability. The organizer handles Paro–Thimphu luggage transfer for your convenience. Carry valuables and high-value gear (laptop, camera, watches) in the cabin. Where loss or total damage results from the organizer's clear fault, liability is capped at 500 USD per participant. Damage or loss from force majeure is fully exempt.

UTMB-class cold-weather kit must be carried at all times (seam-sealed jacket, waterproof pants, thermal layer, two headlamps with spares). "This kit is not what makes you faster. It is what keeps you alive until rescue arrives." Missing critical items (jacket, headlamps, survival blanket) results in immediate disqualification.

The organizer marks the course with ribbons and flags but does not guarantee 100% coverage at all times due to natural conditions. Runners must carry and understand the official GPX file. GPS errors or signal loss at altitude are the runner's responsibility; no time correction or compensation will be made on this basis.

Leave No Trace. Discarded trash is grounds for immediate disqualification and may result in penalties under Bhutanese law.

Respect for Culture. Temple dress codes and public smoking bans must be observed. All legal and financial liability for violations rests with the runner.

Charter, SDF, and hotel costs are pre-paid and non-recoverable. Cancellations, personal or under force majeure (natural disaster, pandemic, sudden Bhutanese policy change), are refunded on the schedule below (3,500 USD fee · ICT, UTC+7):

, Before Aug 19, 2026 · 23:59 ICT: 100% refund
, Aug 20 – Sep 28, 2026: 50% refund
, After Sep 28, 2026 · 23:59 ICT: no refund (SDF & charter seats fully pre-paid)

The organizer is not liable for personally incurred expenses (training, separate international flights).

Runners affirm they have read these rules, accept the physical and mental risks of competing at 4,000m, and waive any legal claim against the organizer. Four mandatory acknowledgments at registration:
, Medical stop and IV-disqualification rules
, Charter and course-change exemptions
, Baggage liability limitations
, Force-majeure refund structure

The organizer's official operation and legal responsibility run strictly from the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi muster on Wed Oct 28, 2026 to the official dismissal at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi on Sat Oct 31, 2026. Any individual travel, lodging, or sightseeing before or after the official program, and any physical or financial incident arising from it, is entirely the participant's own responsibility.

The 3,500 USD fee is a single fixed package, charter flight, Bhutan visa and SDF, designated stays and meals, and race support, bundled as one product. Even if a participant enters Bhutan early, stays on afterward, declines the official charter, or uses only part of the lodging and meals, no reduction, difference settlement, or partial refund is possible; the full fee is payable in every case. Any extra SDF, visa-change fees, separate airfare, and local transport or lodging arising from an extended individual schedule are borne entirely by the participant.

If a participant fails to appear on time at the designated Bangkok Suvarnabhumi meeting gate at 04:00 on Day 1 (No-Show), the charter departs on schedule and will not wait. Securing an alternative route to Paro and all resulting costs (replacement airfare, SDF, individual visa reissue) are then borne entirely by the participant. The entry fee is not refunded even if this results in non-participation.

To run the event, the organizer collects participant data, name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, contact, email, and health information including the medical certificate and EKG, for race operations, Bhutan entry administration (group visa & SDF), ticketing, insurance, on-site medical checks, and timing. By registering, participants consent to its provision and overseas transfer to the partners and authorities needed for those purposes: Bhutan government agencies (tourism, immigration), the official carrier (Bhutan Airlines), the designated insurer, on-site medical staff, and the official timing partner. Data is securely destroyed once its purpose is met or the legal retention period ends. Declining consent makes visa issuance, charter ticketing, and required insurance impossible, so participation cannot be approved.

Participants consent to the use of all photos, video, and audio captured by the organizer and its media team during the event, including their likeness, name, and voice. All copyright and intellectual-property rights in this content belong exclusively to the organizer (KOLON SPORT), which may use it worldwide and in perpetuity for promotion, broadcast, print, press, the official site and social media, and future editions, with no royalty or separate compensation due. The complimentary personal finisher photos and highlight video cover Day 3 race footage (course and finish) only.