1. GENERAL: The athletes are expected to respect in full the regulations described below. They are also expected to follow instructions given by the authorities of the race. Failure to comply with regulations or instructions always carries the penalty of disqualification. The authorities of the race when aware of infringements of the regulations, record them and inform offenders of their actions. Any other authorized person from the organization has also the ability to record any infringement he becomes aware of and to submit it for examination to the Race Committee.

2. PERIOD: The races «Ursa Trail» and «On the tracks of the Bear» take place on the last Sunday of May. The start and finish points are located at 1.150m altitude, in the central square of Metsovo.

3. ELIGIBILITY: Right of participation is given to athletes who are 18 years of age or older. The participation in the Ursa Trail race requires that an athlete has finished two mountain races longer than 20km or one longer than 30 km over the last two years.

4. ROUTE OF RACE: The race routes mainly follow the path of clearly marked trails. Additional temporary signs are placed on the eve of the events to make sure that the path is as obvious as possible. The Ursa Trail race spans over 40km with 2700m of positive altitude change while On the tracks of the Bear is 20km long with 1050m of positive climb.

5. TIME LIMITS: - The race «Ursa Trail» finishes eight and a half hours (8h30m) after the time of start. There are two intermediate/time cut-off points in the race. The cut-off points are chosen with the safety of the athletes themselves in mind and for the proper conduct of the race. Those athletes that fail to go past these points at specified times, are considered void and may continue their race on their own responsibility after returning the bib number to the judges at the cut-off point. Cut-off points times are: 1) 3 hours at the chalet/ 2nd station at 11 km, 1.660m altitude and 2) 5 hours 30 minutes at "Gkrizio" at 24km, 1,160 m altitude. Cut-off time thresholds are common to all types of athletes, regardless of gender and age. After the times stated above have passed, the stations continue to record athletes but the athletes who get there after the cut-off time limit have an obligation to return their number. Athletes who wish so can continue their race out of competition on their own exclusive personal responsibility, having in each case returned their number to the officials. Last but not least, athletes, both male and female of all categories, must complete the race within 8:30 hour in order to be considered finishers. Those athletes arriving later than the 8:30 hours limit, are considered valid until they reached the final cut-off point (Gkrizios) and their names will show in the official results as "non-finishers (DNF)". The start and finish of the race are within 500 meters from "Gkrizios".
 - The race "On the Tracks of the Bear" closes at five (5) hours after start.

6. BIB NUMBER of athletes: All athletes carry the number race (bib) with them, which they are obliged to wear on the front of the sweatshirt. The number must remain unfolded throughout the race, thus hiding any item printed on it (sponsors, logos etc.). Substantial alteration of the number, which may cause confusion to the race personnel in charge of the stations will be banned.

7. MARKING THE COURSE: The marking of the route is done by the organization, it is temporary, in order to serve the athletes and will be removed after the race. These are mainly the mileage or indicative of the route signs. At the same time there will be permanent marking of the route with the track of the bear.

8. EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE: External material assistance (food, clothing, poles) to athletes is permitted. Athletes may be accompanied by persons not bearing a race bib number. The entourage of the athlete from his family and friends is permitted over the last meters of the route.

9. AIDS: The use of Nordic walking poles is permitted. Also, the occupation and use of map, compass, GPS, mobile phone or radio (VHF) is allowed.

10. WASTE: It is strictly forbidden to discharge any kind of objects along the route, such as plastic bottles or any other material such as solid or liquid food packaging consumed by athletes during the race. At every refreshments' station there is a special plastic garbage bag. All athletes are required to throw trash in the bag. Disposal of packaging material and other non-organic waste at any point on the route other than the aforementioned, is punishable by disqualification.

11. MOVEMENT IN PATH: Athletes are required to move the path without forming groups extending in width, thus preventing athletes who would like to overtake. When an athlete is notified that he should step aside to be passed, he must remain on the uphill (inner) side of the slope.

12. REFRESHMENT STATIONS: The organization caters for athletes, supporting them in seven (7) intermediate points of the route for the «Ursa Trail» and three (3) for "On the tracks of the bear."

13. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT, BAGS: Athletes are not obliged to bear compulsory equipment. However, it is highly recommended to carry a small backpack or waist-pack, with some basic supplies such as glasses or a hat, a camel-bak or water bottle, and solid food of their choice to meet their needs at the intermediate stations. Each athlete is therefore responsible for the selection of the utensil (cup, pot, bag, bottle, water bottle, etc.) which must be carried so that it can receive the necessary liquids. The quantities of liquid will be offered in a practical dispenser by the staff of the stations. For reasons of speed, the athletes should have containers with wide mouth for quick filling. Leaving a backpack along the path at central stations is a sole responsibility of the athlete.

14. SHORTCUTS OF THE ROUTE: The shortcut (cutting) of the route is prohibited and punishable by disqualification. Each competitor has the responsibility and obligation to carefully monitor the warning signs in specific sections of the path, which show a forbidden cut / route.

15. CHECKPOINTS: There are 7 checkpoints for «Ursa Trail» and 3 for "On the tracks of the Bear". All Refreshments Stations are Checkpoints. Athletes are required wear their number so that the judges record them. If an athlete wearing a windproof jacket reaches the Checkpoint he must make sure his number is visible. Refusal of demonstration of the number means disqualification. An athlete that fails to reach at least one checkpoint is considered disqualified.

16. OBJECTIONS: Objections for whatever reason are submitted only by the athlete himself, no later than 30 minutes after finishing. The decision of the objections committee, comprised by the Race Director, members of the Technical Committee and judges at the checkpoints inside their responsibility zone where the event occurred, is issued no later than the time of awards ceremony and is final.

17. INSURANCE: The Organization is responsible for overseeing the route with staff specialized in safety, rescue and medical assistance to provide assistance to athletes who will be in need. In cases where the security personnel and officials indicate to athletes that have to change direction for safety reasons, athletes are obliged to agree. Refusal of compliance means disqualification.

18. AMENDMENT OF RACE /POSTPONEMENT: If necessary (extremely hazardous weather conditions), the Organizers reserve the right to modify the route or to postpone the start for a short time, in order not to endanger the physical integrity of athletes.

19. RESULTS: The official (final) races results are made public several days after the races in order to cross-check the data.

20. PRIZES: There will be medals and diplomas awarded to all athletes in both races.
 - In Ursa Trail, prizes will be awarded in men's category as follows: 1) the first three of the general classification, 2) the first athlete over 50 years old and 3) the oldest finisher.
Prize money will also be given in men's category. The 1st will be awarded 300€, the 2nd 200€ and the 3rd 150€, respectively. In women's category, they will be awarded: the 1st 200 €, the 2nd 150 € and the 3rd 100 €, respectively.
In the women's category, the first three will receive awards.
 - In "On the tracks of the bears" the first three male and female finishers will be awarded.
 - 100€ award on breaking the Ursa Trail route record.

21. PENALTIES: The only penalty applied to all offenses and regulation violations, is the disqualification. It is enforced for: 1) waste disposal at non-designated parts of the race, 2) race shortcuts, 3) inappropriate behaviour towards co-runners and staff of the organization, 4) loss of bib number and any unsportsmanlike behaviour. Lifelong disqualification is exercised in severe cases, such as an act of violence against members of the organization and co-athletes or an attribution of intent to extremely shorten the route.

22. DISCLAIMER: The Commission shall not be liable for the death, injury or any damage to the health of competitors, who by submitting the application form, agree that they know the risks that exist in the mountain environment and confirm that their state of health is good and allows them to compete and that they have recently been examined by a doctor about this issue. There will not, however, be required by any athlete to produce a medical certificate. The athletes themselves are obliged to undertake regular medical screening to check the status of their health. The Organising Committee declines any responsibility with regard to the physical integrity of athletes, who should behave responsibly at points along the route where the risk of falling with unpleasant or fatal results is increased. The Committee declines any financial responsibility in the event of external assistance to any athlete.

23. AMENDMENT OF REGULATIONS: The organizers reserve the right to modify the rules of the races without prior notice.