Ready, Set, Bark : Buddy & Me

Eligibility and General Code of Conduct
To compete in the Ready, Set, Bark, competitors must meet the following requirements:

• Competitor must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the event (if not must be accompanied by a guardian).
• Competitors must agree and sign the waiver form prior to the event.
• Competitors must adhere to all rules set forth by UP-MMDA-Vanguard K9 Corps Anniversary event organizers, ad-ministrators, and officials.
• Competitors must conduct in a sportsmanlike manner towards fellow competitors, spectators and officials.

Time Keeping and Distance

• Competitors will collect their race bib and race kit in the registration area on the day of the event. This is required to be considered as an official participant and SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED during the event. Under no circumstances will competitors be permitted to start the event without their identification.
• All competitors are required to start in their assigned wave. Competitors are not permitted to start in any other wave under any circumstances. Competitors found to be in violation of this protocol will be disqualified from competition.
• Competitors must report to the start line ten 10) minutes before their assigned start time for a mandatory race briefing.
• Competitors must complete the full 500-meter obstacle course first to be qualified for the prizes.
• As with all premier endurance races, time starts for all competitors the moment s/he begins in the first station and ends once the competitor finishes the last station.

STAYING ON COURSE

• It is the responsibility of all competitors to stay on-course and within the boundaries and markings set by race officials.
  Obstacles are numbered 1, 2, 3, etc. it is your responsibility to ensure you complete all obstacles.
• In the event that a competitor runs off-course, he/she must return to the original point of deviation to resume competi-tion. Should a competitor need to leave the course in case of emergency, he/she must resume racing at the exact point of exit.
• Any competitors that gains advantage by circumventing the course (as designed by race officials), whether intentionally or unintentionally, will be disqualified from competition.

OBSTACLES

Completion of all obstacles is MANDATORY to be eligible for awards/prizes. There are no alternatives to obstacles.
• In the event a competitor fails an obstacle, he/she will be permitted another attempt, provided he/she is not blocking the path of another competitor who is attempting to complete the obstacle for the first time.
• If a competitor still fails to complete an obstacle for the third trial, he/she (or their team) will be allowed to proceed to the next course but are not eligible for prizes/awards.
• Additionally, competitors are required to maintain forward progress on all obstacles and throughout the course (e.g. sitting atop cargo nets or walls is not permitted) and every effort must be made not to obstruct a fellow competitor.
• Slower athletes are required to yield to approaching athletes.
• Competitors found to be excessively infringing (blocking) on another competitor’s ability to progress may be subject to penalty or disqualification by race officials
• During the race, except for medical emergency, competitors are not allowed to receive outside assistance (including receiving nutrition or equipment) from any other source. This does not include verbal instruction or support from coaches or supporters. Slower and faster athletes must demonstrate mutual respect during closely spaced/single-track areas of the course. Additional restrictions may be announced at pre-race briefings.

The Dog

Owners (owner refers to any person keeping, harboring or having charge, care or control of a dog including his/her representative are legally responsible and liable for their dogs and any injuries or damages caused by their dogs. We will follow the guidelines stated in Republic Act No. 9482 Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (http://www.paws.org.ph/anti-ra-bies-act-ra-9482.html).
• Owner should always use a leash (short and/or long leash) for the dogs and should not allow their dogs to roam freely (this includes inside and outside the kennel gate, training facility or property) and at no given time should leave their dog outside the cage/crate unchained
• Owners must recognize that dogs are excitable creatures and their actions are often unpredictable. If your dog has aggressive tendencies and he’s out in public place (public place refers to any place open to the public like training areas, streets, parks, etc.), he should be muzzled. This prevents any untoward incidents from happening. Keep your aggressive dog muzzled instead, especially if he’s still undergoing training. (Refer to Sec. 5., Rule 5(c)1. of the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007: “Aggressive dogs shall be muzzled in public places.”).
• Owners shall make sure to have their dogs regularly vaccinated against rabies and vaccinations conducted on their dog should be up to date.
• Owners should prevent their dogs from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment. Owners should clean up after their dog (pick up their poop) and discard of it properly.

Gear, Apparel & Nutrition
Competitors are encouraged to express their individuality, sport team/country apparel while being appropriately dressed for an endurance racing events.
Please note the following:

• Glasses are allowed but discouraged for safety reasons.
• Hydration packs are allowed.
• Beyond shoes and gloves or protective gear (i.e. elbow pads or knee pads), clothing/personal equipment may not be used in to assist the completion of an obstacle.
• Alcohol, weapons, and other dangerous objects are not permitted on the course.
• Additionally, all competitors must exit the course with all items they brought in. Littering or the discarding personal property during the race may result in disqualification from competition.

Penalties
The application of any penalties, including but not limited to disqualification, are administered solely by the BARKada officials.
• When a violation has been identified, the offending competitor will be immediately informed of the penalty by race staff as soon as practicable.
• Competitors will be penalized for infringements such as:
a. Failure to complete an obstacle.
b. Not starting at his/her starting time.
c. Intentionally or unintentionally going off-course.
d. Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to: making unnecessary contact with or hindering a competitor, verbal/physical abuse of race officials or volunteers, modifying course markings, using offensive or derogatory language, receiving outside assistance, littering on the course, blocking (failure to yield to) other competitors, or failing to follow the direction of race officials.
Any competitor who received a penalty may appeal. Competitors wishing to appeal a penalty must submit their appeal to race officials after their trials.

Safety and Emergencies
• The safety of all competitors, spectators, and staff is paramount. In the event of an emergency, all parties should follow the explicit instruction of event staff.
• Competitor that assist in an emergency may be permitted to begin the race again at the sole discretion of UPMVK9 BARKada officials.