Terms & Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF

THE CAN THO MARATHON - A HERITAGE RACE 2023

Abbreviations

• OC: Organizing Committee
• Runners: Participating athlete
• COT (Cut-off time): The time limit to complete a distance of the race.
• BIB: The number of participant runner.
• Sub-: Achieving a record shorter than a time threshold
• DNF: Did not finish the race
• DNS: Did not start
• DQ: Disqualified
• N/A: Not applicable 

Article 1: Name of the Race and Purpose

• 1. Race name
• Vietnamese name: Giải Marathon quốc tế Di sản Cần Thơ.
• English name: Can Tho Marathon – Heritage Race.
• Abbreviations: CTHM
  2. Purpose
• The Can Tho Marathon – Heritage Race 2023 aims to widely promote locally and internationally the image of Vietnam and Vietnamese people, the image of the beautiful city of Can Tho, the capital of the Western river region. This year the race has attracted more than 9,000 local and international professional and non-professional runners to register for competition.
• The Can Tho Marathon – Heritage Race 2023 is an activity in the series of 20th anniversary of Can Tho city under central government.
• The Can Tho Marathon - Heritage Race 2023 aims to attract wide support from communities, societies and businesses, contributing to the development of tourism and economic growth of the province.
• The Can Tho Marathon - Heritage Race 2023 needs to be carefully prepared, safe, economical, and effective;  ensure political security and order social safety, environmental protection and demonstrating the sports spirit of the race to achieve the set goals and requirements.
• The Can Tho Marathon - Heritage Race 2023 is organized and operated with high professionalism, national stature with international model.

Article 2: Date, Venue, ans Distances

2.1. Race Date: Decmber 3, 2023

2.2. Venue

• • Start: Song Hau Park, Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City
  • Finish: Song Hau Park, Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City

2.3. Distances

• 42.195 km (also known as Full Marathon, FM, Marathon, 42 km)
• 21.097 km (also known as Half Marathon, HM, 21 km)
• 10 km
• 5 km

Article 3: Eligibility

3.1. FM

3.1.1. Age eligibility

 

Runners compete in the marathon distance must be at least 16 years old, meaning they must be born before January 1, 2007. Runners born after January 1, 2007 and found to participate in the marathon will be disqualified (DQ) and removed from the race.

3.2. HM

3.2.1. Age eligibility

 

Runners compete in the half marathon distance must be at least 16 years old, meaning they must be born before January 1, 2007. Runners born after January 1, 2007 and found to participate in the marathon will be disqualified (DQ) and removed from the race.

3.3. Distance of 10 km

3.3.1. Age eligibility

 

Runners compete in the 10-km distance must be at least 14 years old, meaning they must be born before January 1, 2009. Runners born after January 1, 2009 and found to participate in the marathon will be disqualified (DQ) and removed from the race.

3.4. Distance of 5 km

3.4.1. Categories

 

The 5-km distance is divided into 2 categories of Adults and Children, each with its own prize structure (see Article 4).

• Adults: Runners aged 16 and older, meaning born before January 1, 2008.
• Children: Runners aged 15 and younger, meaning born on or after January 1, 2008.

3.4.2. The OC reserves the right to to request runner to provide their national ID card or personal identification document (birth certificate for children) for verification before awarding the age group prizes.

Article 4: Race timing

4.1. Time regulation

Distance	Start	COT	Chrck in time
42 km	04:00	10:30 (6,5 hours)	03:30
21 km	04:00	07:30 (3,5 hours)	03:30
10 km	05:30	07:30 (2 hours)	05:00
5 km	07:00	08:30 (1,5 hours)	06:30

4.2. Start and Finish Areas’ opening and closing time

 

• Runners must be present at the start area within the time specified by the OC.

• Runners arriving more than 15 minutes late after the Start time will not be allowed into the start area and will be marked as DNS.

4.3. COT regulations

4.3.1. All runners must compete the course within the specified COT.

4.3.2. Runners who do not finish each segment within the COT will be marked as DNF. They will be stamped with DNF on their BIB, which will be temporarily collected and returned after the race at the referee’s counter, required to leave the race course, will not received the medal and race completion items.

4.3.3. The OC will close the track after the COT for each segment.

4.3.4. All OC services, including but not limited to hydration, medical support, pacers, photography, will conclude after the COT for each segment.

Article 5: Timing

5.1. Gun Time and Chip Time

5.1.1. Gun time: is the time from the official start signal to when the runner crosses the Finish line chip mat.

5.1.2. Chip time: is the time from when the runner crosses the Start line chip mat to when the runner crosses the Finish line chip mat.

5.2. Timing Regulation

5.2.1 Official race time will be calculated for all runners using Chip Time. The time will be rounded up to the next full second.

5.2.2 Prize time (all prizes as defined in Article 7.1) will be based on Gun Time.

5.2.3 Any inquiries regarding race timing must be submitted to the OC in writing within 24 hours of race completion. In cases of late inquiries, the OC reserves the right to consider the seriousness of the violation before making a decision. In all cases, the OC 's decision on the runner's time is final.

Article 6: Rules of Competition

6.1. Course Regulation

6.1.1. Runners must strictly follow the course set by the OC. Runners leaving the course without the permission of a race official will be considered in violation and disqualified. Runners who shorten the course for any reason will also be disqualified. Shortcuts may be detected by race officials or monitoring devices. The OC's decision is final.

6.1.2. Runners must run in the lanes/sections of the course announced and instructed by the OC. Runners found running incorrectly as per the OC’s announcements or instructions will be disqualified..

6.2. BIB Regulation

6.2.1. Runners must wear BIB provided by the OC. The BIB number must be displayed on the front of the runner and must be worn throughout the race.

6.2.2. Any exchange, sale, gift, or transfer of BIB numbers without the permission of the OC will be considered a violation of the race rules. The OC has the right to disqualify runners who do not wear the BIB numbers correctly as per the OC's registration list. The OC has the right to remove runners from the race if it is discovered that they are using BIB numbers not issued by the OC.

6.2.3. Runners using BIB not issued by the OC, if detected will be terminated from the race, and denied participation for all Heritage Marathon races within 2 years.

6.2.4. In cases where the OC discovers that a runner competes with someone else's BIB, both the runner and the owner of the BIB being used will have their results invalidated, and they will lose the right to participate in the Can Tho Marathon - Heritage Race in the following year.

6.3. Electronic Chip Regulation

6.3.1. The OC will provide electronic chips to all runners to record their race times. Runners are responsible for properly handling their electronic chips for time recording.

6.3.2. The OC is not responsible in cases where the chip becomes damaged after being handed over to the runner or the runner's representative.

6.3.3. Runners must run over the Start mat, the timing mats along the course, and the Finish mat. Runners whose signals are not recorded by electronic mats will be considered as DNF and their achievements unrecognized.

6.4. Finish Line

Runners must cross the chip mat at the Finish line to be considered as having completed the race. Upon reaching the Finish line, runners will follow the OC instructions to proceed to the medal and finisher's t-shirt area (for the marathon distance), and follow directions to the post-race recovery and refreshment areas. Individuals who do not adhere to the post-race flow instructions may be asked to leave this area.

6.5. Course Changes

The OC has the authority to change the race course if necessary. Changes to the route (if any) will be communicated to runners and relevant parties in a timely manner.

6.6. Runner’s Information

• Runner’s personal details, including age and gender, are recorded based on personal identification documents (ID card, passport) or other legal documents issued by the relevant authorities. In cases where a runner's gender cannot be determined, the decision rests with the OC.
• Runners who register with incorrect information or wear BIBs that do not match the information on their identification documents, if discovered, will be disqualified and removed from the race.

Article 7: Prize

7.1. Prize Structure

7.1.1 FM

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicable targets: All runners registering marathon distances according to article 3.
         2. Overall Prizes of the marathon

Prizes	Prize (cash, VND)	Kind
First	15,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Second	10,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Third	8,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Fourth	5,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Fifth	3,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt

7.1.2. HM

Overall prizes

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicable targets: All runners registering half marathon distances according to article 33.
         2. Overall Prizes of half marathon

Prizes	Prize (cash, VND)	Kind
First	10,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Second	7,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Third	5,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt

7.1.3. Distance of 10 km

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicable targets: All runners registering 10km distance according to Article 3.
         2. Overall Prize for 10 km distance

Prizes	Prize (cash)	Items
First	5.000.000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Second	3.000.000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Third	2.000.000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt

7.1.4. Distance of 5 km

7.1.4.1. Adults

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicable targets: All runners registering 5km distance according to article 33.
         2. Overall Prizes for 5 km distance of Adults

Prizes	Prize (cash, VND)	Kind
First	3,000.000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Second	2,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt
Third	1,000,000	Run Together shoes, Goya sports sandals, Gymwolf shirt

7.1.4.2. Children

1. 1. 1. 1. Applicable targets: All runners registering 5km distance according to article 33.
         2. Overall Prizes for 5 km distance of Children

Prizes	Prize (cash, VND)
First (Boy and Girl)	2,000,000
Second (Boy and Girl)	1,000,000
Third (Boy and Girl)	500,000

7.2. Prize Time Determination

• All prizes are determined based on gun-time, which is measured from the starting gun signal until the runner crosses the Finish line.
• Runners are required to ensure that the information on their personal identification documents is accurate, as per section 6.6.

7.3. Finisher Verification Process

The first-place finishers in each race category will receive temporary ranking cards. After verifying complete information with the race officials, and once the verification is deemed valid as information registered, runners will be notified and receive their official awards.

7.4. Prize Presentation

• Runners who have been notified of their prizes will receive trophies and cash, tangible goods, and/or other services (if available). Cash prizes are determined as specified in section 7.1.
• Cash prizes are subject to a 10-percent individual income tax in accordance with Vietnamese tax law.
• Non-cash prizes or prizes in the form of vouchers/cards for shopping and services cannot be converted to cash.
• A detailed list of prizes will be published on the race's website. The prize redemption period is valid for one month from the date of the prize announcement by the OC.

7.5. Complaints and Violation Handling

• Any inquiries or complaints about prizes must be submitted to the OC in writing as per Government’s regulations within 24 hours after the prize announcement.
• The OC reserves the right to revoke any runner's prize if it is discovered that they have violated the race regulations. The violated runner is required to return any received prizes to the OC.
• The decision of the OC regarding prizes is final.

7.6. Prize Awarding Ceremony

• The ceremony will be held on November 19???, 2023 after the Referee team accurately determines the prize recipients.
• Cash and tangible prizes will be transferred to runners by the OC after the conclusion of the race.
• To receive prizes, winning runners must complete the following procedures:
  • Fill out a prize claim form
  • Submit a copy of their ID card/passport
  • Sign an individual income tax commitment form (Form 02/CK-TNCN)
• In case a runner is missing any of the required documents, the OC reserves the right to withhold the prize and request the runner to provide all necessary documentation to receive prizes.

Article 8: Registration and Confirmation

8.1. Registered Age

8.1.1. Registered age is determined by the regulations of each event category (section 3).

 

8.1.2. Children registering to participate must have a legal guardian/parent. Legal guardians/parents must sign a waiver and take full responsibility for the safety and possible risks involved in their child's participation.

8.2. Other Registration Requirements

 

• Runners residing outside Vietnam must register online on the race's website. In the event of technical difficulties or technical errors during direct registration, the race's OC will provide alternative registration and payment methods.

• Runners who register twice for the same Can Tho Marathon - Heritage Race using false information, such as using a fake name, providing false birthdate or gender, or using a fake photo, etc., will be considered ineligible for participation.

• Registered runners will receive a Race Kit that includes a BIB number, an electronic timing chip, a shirt and a bag.

• In cases where an individual acts as a representative and/or is delegated to register and/or collect a Race Kit on behalf of another individual or group, that person must commit to having been authorized to represent the individual or group in the registration and Race Kit collection process. Registering through a representative or a delegate will still be subject to all the regulations of this statute as if registered directly.

8.3. Registration Fee Refunds

After a runner has submitted the registration and paid the registration fee, the OC will not refund the registration fee in any case.

8.4. Changes to Registration Information and Transfer of Participation Rights

• The deadline for modifying personal information (such as ID number, gender, date of birth, email, etc.), if there is any inaccuracy, will be supported by the OC until the registration closing date.
• If there is a need to change personal information or transfer participation rights to a third party, runners must comply with the regulations regarding changing personal information or transferring participation rights published by the OC for each race. 
• Changing race distances is accepted when requested before the closing date specified by the OC.
• Runners will be required to pay any difference in registration fees between the new and previously registered distances, in case the new distance has a higher registration fee, and no refund will be given in case the new distance has a lower registration fee than the originally registered distance.

8.5. The OC is not responsible for delays in the event of registration applications not being processed due to Internet connection errors and/or third-party payment processing errors. Registration is only considered valid according to the payment time displayed in the OC's account.

8.6. The regulations in Article 8.5 also apply to the OC 's discount and promotional programs.

Article 9: Compliance with Laws and Safety, Run Route Regulations, and Runner's Personal Property

9.1. Runners commit to complying with all legal regulations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

9.2. Runners must comply with sports competition regulations and are prohibited from using performance-enhancing substances. The OC has the right to request runners to provide urine samples for doping testing if there are suspicions of doping use. Runners are required to provide urine samples upon the request of the OC.

9.3. When participating in the race, runners commit to being physically fit for the registered distance and adhering to the time required by the OC to complete the race. Runners commit to understanding their own health limitations and recognizing when they need to stop physical activities to avoid injury.

9.4. In cases where a runner is unable to complete the race within the specified time limit as per section 4.2 and 4.3, the OC has the right to request the runner to stop running, and the runner will not be compensated, including any financial compensation or other compensation for this request.

9.5. Runners understand the risks associated with marathon running and the race course, including, but not limited to, tripping, colliding with other runners on the course, the effects of weather, traffic, and road conditions, etc. from minor injuries, severe injuries, or even death. Runners are responsible for their own safety and health throughout the race course and commit to absolving the OC of liability.

9.6. The OC will purchase public liability insurance and personal accident insurance for runners participating in the race. Therefore, to ensure their own interests, runners need to provide accurate and complete personal information (date of birth, ID card number/citizen identification card) as registered with the OC. If the information provided by runners is incomplete or inaccurate, the OC and the insurance company will deny responsibility for any accidents that may occur.

9.7. Runners are responsible for thoroughly researching the race route before the official race day and take full responsibility for any deviation from the course that may lead to an incomplete race or an unrecognized achievement.

9.8. Personal Property

Runners should leave their personal property in their bags marked with their BIB numbers and should not leave valuable items (such as cash, jewelry, expensive belongings, etc.) in their bags, pouches, or luggage stored at the bag drop area provided by the OC.

9.9. The OC is not responsible for any losses due to the following reasons:

• Illness or injury (including emergency treatment);
• Loss or damage to personal property;
• Being late due to public transportation difficulties and/or traffic conditions.

Article 10. Medical Regulations

10.1. Runners participating in the race must sign a medical liability waiver

10.2. The OC has the right to stop the race if they detect medical issues in runners, including but not limited to the following conditions:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Central nervous system disorders
• Injuries
• Thermoregulatory disorders
• Fluid and electrolyte imbalances
• Perceptual disorders
• Seizures
• Pregnant women

10.3. When asked to leave the race course due to a medical issue, runners must absolutely comply. Runners who do not comply will have their BIB numbers revoked, and they will be disqualified. No compensation, including financial compensation and/or other compensation, will be provided for this request.

10.4. The OC provides first-aid services or professional medical care for all injuries, illnesses, or accidents as necessary and, if necessary, will transfer patients to the nearest hospital.

10.5. Runners who are admitted to a hospital are responsible for paying all costs associated with medical care and treatment at the medical facility.

Article 11: Prohibitions

The OC has the right to prohibit runners from participating in the race and/or continuing to run when they discover violations of the regulations and rules specified below. Runners who violate these rules will be disqualified Runners must not use any wheeled means of transportation while running on the course (e.g., skateboards, strollers, wheeled shoes, bicycles, motorbikes…).

11.1. Runners must not use any wheeled means of transportation while running on the course (e.g., skateboards, strollers, wheeled shoes, bicycles, motorbikes, cars, etc.).

11.2. Runners must not use any food or drugs listed in the prohibited substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Runners must refrain from using stimulants, narcotics, or substances that enhance excitement while competing.

11.3. Runners are not allowed to receive any assistance other than the assistance designated by the OC. Unauthorized assistance include, yet not limited to: water, nutrition, pacesetters not wearing BIB issued by the OC, etc.

11.4. Runners are not allowed to bring pets during the race.

11.5. Runners are prohibited from engaging in behaviors or making statements that are harassing, incite crowds, cause disturbances, or damage the race.

11.6. Runners are not allowed to bring inappropriate objects, equipment, weapons, sticks, sharp objects that may cause harm or harm others

11.7. Runners are not allowed to bring documents, leaflets with content outside the program, content opposing the laws of the State and the people of Vietnam, content contrary to the policies of the Party and the State, and content inconsistent with the cultural customs of Vietnam.

11.8. Runners are not allowed to wear clothing with images that are offensive, not in line with the traditions and customs of Vietnam, images that are opposing the laws of the State and the people of Vietnam, images that are contrary to the policies of the Party and the State, or covering their faces entirely or going shirtless. Runners are not allowed to wear clothes, costumes which may cause confusion with the OC’s member.

11.9. Runners must not violate the current traffic laws within the race area. Runners who violate this rule will be fully responsible under the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and will have to compensate for any damage caused to the OC (if any).

11.10. Foreign runners are responsible for declaring and ensuring a clear purpose of entry into Vietnam when applying for visas and completing entry procedures into Vietnam. Runners are also responsible for informing the OC of their temporary residence address in Can Tho during the race.

11.11. Runners are not allowed to engage in activities that delay or affect the race, such as jumping, changing clothes, playing musical instruments, fundraising, soliciting autographs, etc. Runners must not obstruct the race by not following the instructions of the OC. Runners are not allowed to use improper restroom facilities.

Article 12: Postponement, Cancellation, and Force Majeure

12.1. In any case of race cancellation or postponement, registration fees will not be refunded to registered runners.

12.2. After completing the registration and payment of participation fees, runners cannot request refunds for any reason.

12.3. In adverse weather conditions or due to force majeure beyond the control of the OC, the OC will inform runners of the reasons and the time of the force majeure event before the race day. The OC may announce to postpone the event and is responsible for notifying runners of the rescheduled event time.

Article 13: Image Copyright

13.1. The copyrights to any articles, records, images, videos, and data related to the race, as well as the right to use this information on the official website, social media pages, and media outlets for marketing and promotion, belong to the OC.

13.2. This includes but is not limited to names and information such as age, addresses (hometown, province, city) of runners mentioned in articles related to the event.

Article 14: Rules and Competition Ethics

All matters related to rules and competition ethics will be governed by the regulations of the event and the current athletics laws of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) (Refer to the website: http://aims-worldrunning.org).

Article 15: Race Funding

The annual funding for the Can Tho Marathon – Heritage Race comes from social sources and is managed by Duc Huong Anh Co., Ltd.

Article 16: Awards and Disciplinary Actions

16.1. The OC will reward runners who comply with the event regulations and achieve outstanding results during the event.

16.2. Runners who violate the event regulations may face appropriate disciplinary measures, ranging from warnings to disqualification from the ongoing event or suspension from participating in future events, depending on the severity of the violation.

Article 17: Implementation Provisions

17.1. To ensure the safety of the event, these regulations apply to the entire event for all runners. Those who do not comply with these regulations will be considered ineligible to participate in the event. 

17.2. In the event of any questions, disputes, or complaints regarding issues such as eligibility to participate, runner results, race results, awards, etc., the concerned party should submit a written complaint to the OC based on these regulations, so the OC can resolve based on these regulations and the final decision will be at the discretion of the OC.

17.3. The OC reserves the right to change terms and participation regulations in case of emergencies without prior notice.

DHA Vietnam Co., Ltd

General Director

Nguyen Tri