Okavango Marathon Project (OMP)
Participant Waiver, Indemnity and Assumption of Risk
Organiser: Okavango Marathon Project (OMP)
Applicable to: OMP monthly trail runs, Backyard Ultra events, training runs, community runs, trail-running weekends, and similar running or outdoor endurance events organised, hosted, facilitated, or supported by OMP.
This waiver must be read together with the OMP General Event Terms and Conditions and any event-specific rules, safety instructions, registration terms, refund terms, route information, and participant notices.
This is a legally significant document. By signing, accepting electronically, registering for, attending, volunteering at, supporting, or participating in an OMP event, I acknowledge that I understand and accept the risks and legal consequences described below.
1. Participant Declaration
I confirm that I wish to participate in or attend an OMP event voluntarily and at my own risk.
I understand that OMP events may involve trail running, endurance running, Backyard Ultra formats, training runs, community runs, outdoor activities, and related event activities in environments that may be unpredictable, remote, physically demanding, and potentially dangerous.
I acknowledge that participation may result in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
2. Acknowledgement of Inherent Risks
I understand that OMP events may include risks arising from:
• uneven terrain, bush trails, farm roads, gravel roads, tar roads, sand, mud, rocks, holes, water crossings, and obstacles;
• heat, cold, rain, wind, lightning, darkness, dust, poor visibility, and changing weather conditions;
• fatigue, dehydration, heat illness, hypothermia, cramping, overuse injuries, sleep deprivation, psychological stress, and reduced decision-making ability;
• falls, collisions, getting lost, wrong turns, route-marking issues, navigation errors, vehicle movement, other participants, spectators, volunteers, animals, wildlife, livestock, insects, snakes, and environmental hazards;
• limited communications, delayed assistance, limited medical support, remote locations, and delayed evacuation;
• event changes, route changes, postponement, cancellation, or emergency decisions made by the Organiser.
I understand that these risks cannot be fully removed, even where OMP takes reasonable safety measures.
3. Fitness to Participate
I confirm that I am physically, medically, and mentally fit to participate in the event I enter.
I confirm that I am not aware of any medical, physical, psychological, or other condition that would make participation unsafe for myself or others.
I understand that it is my responsibility to seek medical advice before participating if I have any health concern, injury, illness, chronic condition, medication issue, or uncertainty about my fitness.
I accept full responsibility for monitoring my own condition before, during, and after the event.
I must slow down, stop, withdraw, or request assistance if I experience unusual symptoms, distress, injury, illness, heat-related symptoms, severe fatigue, disorientation, or any condition that makes continued participation unsafe.
4. Personal Responsibility and Self-Sufficiency
I understand that I am responsible for my own preparation, training, pacing, hydration, nutrition, clothing, footwear, lighting, charged devices, navigation awareness, and event readiness.
I will carry all mandatory equipment required for the relevant event.
I understand that even where route marking, water points, marshals, safety personnel, or medical support are available, I remain responsible for acting safely and making sensible decisions.
I must not continue if I become lost, injured, unwell, severely fatigued, or unable to proceed safely.
5. Compliance with Rules and Instructions
I agree to comply with all OMP rules, event-specific rules, venue rules, landowner conditions, route instructions, safety briefings, marshal directions, cut-off times, and organiser decisions.
I understand that OMP may stop, remove, disqualify, or refuse further participation to any participant where safety, conduct, eligibility, non-payment, false information, or non-compliance creates a risk or operational issue.
I accept that disqualification, withdrawal, or removal for these reasons does not create an automatic right to a refund.
6. Medical Treatment and Emergency Assistance
I authorise OMP, event staff, volunteers, medical personnel, first responders, and appointed service providers to arrange or provide medical assistance, first aid, transport, evacuation, or emergency support if deemed necessary.
I understand that medical assistance may be limited, delayed, unavailable, or provided by non-specialist first responders depending on the event location and circumstances.
I accept full responsibility for all medical, transport, evacuation, hospitalisation, recovery, repatriation, and related costs arising from my participation, unless otherwise required by law.
I understand that OMP strongly recommends suitable medical aid, personal accident cover, and travel insurance where relevant.
7. Assumption of Risk
To the fullest extent permitted by law, I voluntarily assume all risks connected with my participation, attendance, travel to and from the event, use of event facilities, and involvement in any related activity.
This assumption of risk includes known and unknown risks, obvious and hidden risks, risks arising from my own actions, risks arising from other participants or third parties, and risks arising from event conditions, terrain, weather, route, venue, equipment, support, medical response, rescue delays, or organiser decisions.
8. Waiver and Release of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, I waive, release, and discharge Okavango Marathon Project (OMP), its founders, directors, officers, staff, contractors, volunteers, sponsors, partners, service providers, medical providers, landowners, venue owners, community partners, affiliated organisations, and event supporters from all liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, and causes of action arising from injury, illness, disability, death, property loss, property damage, delay, cancellation, financial loss, or any other loss connected with the event.
This release includes, to the fullest extent permitted by law, claims arising from negligence, acts or omissions, event conditions, route conditions, venue conditions, equipment failure, participant conduct, medical response, rescue delays, or decisions made in the interest of safety.
9. Indemnity
I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties listed above against any claims, damages, losses, costs, legal costs, liabilities, or expenses arising from:
• my participation in or attendance at the event;
• my breach of this waiver, the OMP General Event Terms and Conditions, or event-specific rules;
• my negligence, misconduct, or failure to follow instructions;
• any false or incomplete information I provide;
• any claim brought by or on behalf of my dependants, heirs, estate, family members, representatives, or third parties arising from my participation or attendance.
10. Personal Belongings and Property
I am responsible for my own belongings, equipment, vehicle, valuables, and personal property before, during, and after the event.
I understand that OMP is not responsible for loss, theft, damage, or misplacement of personal property, including items left at registration, aid stations, event venues, vehicles, accommodation areas, or with third parties.
11. Media, Image, Results and Data Rights
I grant OMP and its partners a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual right to use my name, image, likeness, voice, biography, club/team name, results, timing data, GPS/activity data, interviews, photos, video, and event-related content for event operations, media, marketing, reporting, archival, sponsor, documentary, and promotional purposes without further approval or compensation.
I consent to the collection, storage, processing, and sharing of my personal information, emergency contact details, medical information supplied by me, results, and participation data where reasonably necessary for registration, safety, timing, communication, emergency response, insurance, reporting, and event administration.
I understand that results, participant lists, photographs, and event media may be published publicly.
12. Minors
Where the participant is under 18 years of age, the participant’s parent or legal guardian must accept this waiver on behalf of the minor and in their own capacity.
The parent or legal guardian confirms that they have authority to sign or accept this waiver, that the minor is fit and capable of participating, and that they accept responsibility for the minor’s participation, conduct, safety, transport, and compliance with event rules.
13. Legal Construction
This waiver is intended to be interpreted broadly to provide the maximum lawful protection to OMP and the Released Parties.
If any provision is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain valid and enforceable.
This waiver operates together with the OMP General Event Terms and Conditions and any event-specific rules, registration terms, refund policy, safety briefing, and participant information published for the relevant event.
14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This waiver is governed by the laws of Botswana.
Any dispute arising from participation in or attendance at an OMP event shall fall under the jurisdiction of the courts of Botswana, unless otherwise required by law.
15. Participant Acceptance
I acknowledge that I have read and understood this waiver and that I accept its legal consequences.
I understand that participation in OMP events may involve serious risk, including SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
I participate voluntarily and accept full responsibility for my decision to participate.
Participant Full Name: ____________________________
Event Name / Date: ____________________________
ID / Passport Number: ____________________________
Date of Birth: ____________________________
Emergency Contact Name & Number: ____________________________
Medical Aid / Insurance Provider, if applicable: ____________________________
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Parent / Legal Guardian Declaration, if participant is under 18:
I confirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the minor participant named above. I accept this waiver and indemnity on behalf of the minor and myself, and I accept responsibility for the minor’s participation, conduct, safety, transport, and compliance with event rules.
Parent / Guardian Full Name: ____________________________
ID / Passport Number: ____________________________
Signature: ____________________________
Date: __________________________