Anantapur Ultramarathon January 20-27, 2019 Frequently Asked Questions 1. When and where is the Anantapur UltraMarathon (AUM)? The AUM will be held from January 20-27, 2019 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India. VFF USA partners with Rural Development Trust (RDT), where guests will receive accommodations and meals during their stay. 2. Who pays for my travel and accommodation expenses? Participants must pay for their own travel expenses to get to Bangalore, India. VFF covers all accommodations (in shared rooms) and meals from January 20-27, 2019 on the RDT campus. 3. How do you get to Anantapur? By plane: Kempegowda International Airport (Bangalore Airport) is the nearest airport, about a 3 hour drive from Anantapur. By bus: From Bangalore Majestic Bus Terminal (platform 10 or 19) or Shanti Nagar Bus Terminal, there are many buses going to Anantapur daily. From Hyderabad to Anantapur, there are also regular daily buses. From Chennai to Anantapur, there is one daily direct bus. By train: please check www.indianrail.gov.in 4. What is the race route like? The AUM goes through rural villages and local roads in Anantapur where VFF has been working for 50 years. The conditions of the race route include both dirt and paved roads that are shared by villagers, rickshaws, livestock, and trucks. The journey starts where Vicente Ferrer began his work and continues through dry, dirt roads and some time on the highway, on the way to Vicente Ferrer s final resting place. 5. What kind of security and support does the AUM have? The event and race route is supported by local Anantapur police. VFF and RDT have organized vehicles to accompany runners, as well as medical staff with several ambulances along the route in case of emergency.
6. Why are there so many days for an UltraMarathon? The AUM consists of three running events and three days of visits to VFF health care facilities, Community Housing Program sites, VFF Sports Programs and rural villages. Anantapur Community Day Run (01/22/2019): A 5K relay race with teams of 8 runners: 4 international runners and 4 local runners with disabilities. It will be held on one of the VFF Sports Campuses. Anantapur UltraMarathon (01/24/2019 and 01/25/2019) A 170K relay event, with each runner on a team running 4 x 10k relays (40K total for each runner) going through the Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh local roads and nearby rural villages. Anantapur 10k (01/25/2019) The 10K runners will join the UltraMarathon Relay runners in the last 10K leg of the AUM event. 7. How can I participate? Marathon registration will be exclusively through the Rural Development Trust and Vicente Ferrer Foundation websites, depending on where you live. Use this link to find the necessary forms and payment instructions. http://www.vffusa.org/runforchange Registration opens on March 20, 2018 and closes on December 1, 2018. Note: registration will close early if the event reaches capacity before December 1, 2018. 8. What is the cost to run in the event and do I have to fundraise? The cost depends on whether you are running in the 10K or 170K relay. See the chart below. Everyone participates in the 5K Community Run! Everyone running in the 10K or 170K is encouraged to fundraise in order to support our Community Housing Program. This year, runners will raise funds to support building houses for families in rural villages. Running Fee Structure US $ Early Bird Reg. Fee (before 9/30/2018) 10K + Community Run 150 170K Relay + Community Run 250 Reg. Fee (from 10/1/2018 to 12/1/2018) 10K + Community Run 200 170K Relay + Community Run 310
9. How do I fundraise for the Community Housing Program? Every runner can create their own GIVING PAGE for the Community Housing Program, giving runners and their friends a place to instantly make contributions towards running fees and any additional donations towards the Community Housing Program in Anantapur. For Example Runner s Personal Giving Page: $250 Early Bird Running Fee (170k Relay + Community Run) + $750 in Donations = $1,000 in total towards the Community Housing Program 10. During the race, how do we get from one transition point to the next one? The AUM organization will have jeeps and buses that travel alongside runners to provide transportation for runners in between relays. 11. What material will be provided for the runners? Each runner will receive a Runner s Bag, which is made by women with disabilities at VFF handicraft workshops in Anantapur. In addition, each runner will receive a t-shirt and a commemorative medal. During the race, runners will be provided with fruit, water, and electrolyte drinks. Runners are recommended to bring their own supplies of nutritional supplements. 12. What Materials do I need to bring? Each runner is asked to bring the following equipment - Thermal blanket and emergency whistle - Headlamp and spare batteries or an extra headlamp - Backpack / Camel back and / or jerry cans (minimum 0.75l) - Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses - Red Light reflectors - Supplements like bars, gels, sticks, and electrolytes - Dressings for blisters) 13. Can a non-runner family member or friend come along with me? Yes, but you have to inform us before December 1, 2018 so that we can arrange for accommodations and meals. We encourage everyone to run in our Anantapur 10k and fundraise to support our Community Housing Program. 14. Can I cancel my registration once it is made? Refunds will only be made 45 days before the start of the race and only 65% of the amount will be refunded. After this date, no registration fees can be refunded because of the administrative costs that are incurred. 15. If I am unable to attend the AUM, is there any possibility to pass on my registration to another participant? Yes, the registration can be transferred for free until December 1, 2018, as long as the new participant complies with the stated rules and regulations.
16. Can I participate in the AUM even if I do not have a team? Yes, you can! Most runners will not have a team. VFF will form the relay teams of 4 people. 17. What official documents do I need to travel? -For non-indian Nationals : Participants will need a passport, tourist visa (not an online VISA or evisa) and sports insurance. We also recommend that you carry a photocopy of your passport and visa in a safe place or give it to another person to facilitate the steps in case of loss or robbery. -For Indian Nationals : Participants will need an Identification document (ID) and sports insurance. 18. Do I have to get vaccinated or take any medication? No vaccines or preventive medications are required to enter India, but we recommend you consult with your doctor to make an individual decision. 19. What is the weather like in Anantapur? The average temperature in Anantapur is 80ºF (27ºC) and is very dry. In January, the average, maximum temperature is around 90ºF (32ºC) and the average, minimum temperature is about 67*F (19ºC). 20. What currency is used in India, and where can I exchange my dollars? The currency used in India is the Rupee. Euros and US Dollars can be exchanged in airports, hotels, and banks. It is recommended to keep the change certificate to exchange currency again before leaving the country, since it is not allowed to take Indian currency out of the country. 21. What language is spoken in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh? Telugu is the official language in Andhra Pradesh, although English is also commonly spoken. However, during the entire trip you will be accompanied by a local guide who speaks English and/or Spanish. 22. What type of electrical outlets will I find in India? India uses 220 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have grounded/earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C or the Europlug). 23. What kind of clothes should I wear? It is recommended to wear thin cotton or linen fabric, preferably long sleeves, to avoid sunburn and mosquitoes bites. It should be noted that for most temples you must use culturally sensitive clothes (for instance a scarf to cover the shoulders, long trousers or long skirts, etc.) 24. Do I need travel insurance in order to participate in the AUM? It is mandatory for runners t o have sports travel insurance and it is recommended for non-runners. 25. I cannot travel; how can I help? If you cannot make the AUM event but want to help with the Community Housing Program to provide families in need with homes in Anantapur India, you can make a donation using the links below:
US Runners http://www.vffusa.org/runforchange