Environmental Considerations
The organizers work with the appropriate government bodies to ensure the race conforms to all local environmental regulations, and gains permission to race across all the locations where the course is set.
RacingThePlanet has built in a number of rules concerning the protection of the environment into their Rules and Regulations for 4 Deserts events. Breach of the rules results in either time penalties or disqualification. They include:
No littering, including toilet paper used on the course. Competitors are given biodegradable bags in which to place used toilet paper, which are disposed of by the camp management each day.
Competitors must "tread lightly", not picking any flowers, cutting walking sticks, or removing anything from the course, deface or move rocks or any other part of the landscape.
Human waste must be buried at between 20–25 cm deep on course away from the course and checkpoints, and in campsites participants must use the facilities provided.
The Last Desert (Antarctica) has even stricter rules. Participants may not approach any wildlife, and must stop and make way for wildlife e.g. penguins that cross the course.
Great care is taken also to minimise any contamination from ship to shore on participants shoes etc.
Read more about this topic: 4 Deserts