DNF stands for Did Not Finish. This refers to the marble(s) failing to finish a race. In some of the racing events, such as in Marbula One, failing to finish is also known as Retiring (Ret).
Marble League[]
This can occur in certain race-type events at the Marble League, such as during the Sand Rally. Teams still can get points if they end up in a points-earning position despite DNFing.
The Snowballs DNF during the Relay Race in Marble League 2016
The earliest known DNF incident was in the Relay Race of Marble League 2016. During the Final Round of the event, the Snowballs hit their first relay block, only to bounce back while not applying enough force to push their next marble. It was revealed that there was a defect on the uppermost lane that caused all teams who ran there to have slower times, in addition to the Snowballs' aforementioned DNF. All teams who ran on the uppermost lane were awarded one consolation point each, including the Snowballs, who ended up joining the Thunderbolts for the bronze medal.
Fearo getting stuck, along with all other marbles, in the Snow Race
One of the most infamous incidents was in the Snow Race event of the Marble League 2018 Qualifiers. In the Group C Heat, Fearo of Team Plasma overtook Anarchy of the Balls of Chaos around 14 seconds after the start of the event. Three seconds later, Anarchy pushed Fearo before they both suddenly swerved to the left and were stuck just a few centimeters short of the finish line. All marbles behind also swerved towards the left at the spot where Fearo and Anarchy did, leading to a pile-up where all marbles completely stopped.
Clementin DNFs during the Funnel Race of Marble League 2019
Fearo remained in the lead after the incident, and Team Plasma were awarded their first of two event wins in the first Marble League Qualifiers they participated in. It was later revealed that the pile-up was caused by an obstruction formed by bad weather (it started raining outside). The race was not restarted.
Rojo Tres gets stranded on the sand, leading to their DNF and the disqualification of Blue Eye.
Another peculiar DNF incident in the Marble League occurred in the Funnel Race of Marble League 2019, where Clementin of the O'rangers was stuck at the entrance to the first funnel and remained there for the rest of Heat 1. Because of this, they were unable to finish the race.
In the Triathlon of Marble League 2021, Rojo Tres of the Rojo Rollers was pushed onto the sand bank by Blue Eye or the Crazy Cat's Eyes, failing to finish the race. As a result, they received 1 point due to the disqualification of Blue Eye.
Blue Attendant got stuck in the final funnel, leading to the first DNF by attendants.
Also in the example run from Funnel Endurance of Marble League 2021, Blue Attendant failed to enter the final funnel and got stuck, leading to a DNF, which was not only the first DNF in ML21, but also the first ever by attendants.
Marble Rally[]
Comet and Pollo Loco DNF in Race 3 of Marble Rally 2019
In the Marble Rally, if the marble fails to finish the race they are awarded no points, even if their final position would have been eligible for points. Since DNFs are very common in the Sand Marble Rally, the Ghost Marble was introduced in 2017 to help dislodge marbles that got stuck and lower the number of DNFs.
Marbula One[]
Sublime DNFs at the Short Circuit GP of M1S1
Just like in the Marble Rally, if the marble fails to finish the race in Marbula One, whether on or off the track, they will be granted no points, even if their final position would have been eligible for points.
At the Short Circuit Grand Prix of Marbula One Season 1, Sublime of the Limers stopped, resulting in a DNF. The same thing happened to Limelime at the Raceforest Grand Prix of Marbula One Season 2.
In the Minty Mania Grand Prix of Marbula One Season 2, Speedy of the Savage Speeders fell off the conveyor belt into the mechanism. They were then confirmed as a DNF and sustained a minor injury. Something similar happened to Wospy of the Midnight Wisps at the O'raceway Grand Prix in Marbula One Season 1, but the field came (Rapidly and Limelime mainly did this task) and pushed them to the end. Wospy finished in 16th, one lap behind the others.
Yellup DNFs at the Aquamaring GP Qualifiers of M1S2
During the Aquamaring Grand Prix Qualifiers of Marbula One Season 2, Yellup of Mellow Yellow came down the ramp at an odd angle, causing them to bounce off of the track. The event caused a yellow flag, and they did not qualify for the race. Medics quickly revealed that they had sustained minor injuries. After the incident, there was a barrier added to the track to prevent any similar incidents from happening during the race.
At the Misty Mountain Grand Prix of Marbula One Season 2, Bumble of the Bumblebees stopped on track. The same thing happened again shortly after this as Clutter of the Balls of Chaos stopped in the very same spot. After several unsuccessful attempts to free both of them, the race was stopped. During the final lap of the race, Clementin of the O'rangers stopped in the same spot as the other two marbles. As a result, this race was the first to see more than one DNF.
At the Misty Mountain Grand Prix the following season, Mocha of the Chocolatiers would stop just outside the helices just before Turn 7, and no marble was able to dislodge them within the next two laps. They would qualify in 10th, last place of the marbles in Q2. A barrier was added in the place Mocha stalled at to prevent further incidents in the race at that spot.
Other Tournaments[]
DNFing in Marbula E will cause things happens just like in Marbula One.
At the Jakarta M-Prix, Audi and Envision had a severe collision and crashed Audi out of the race, confirming a DNF.
During London M-Prix Qualifiers, BMW stopped on the track and had to start in last place.
In Marble Survival 100, all marbles who finish the course score points (depending on their finishing position), which means that even last place scores one point. However, in case of a DNF, the marble in question scores no points, regardless of their position on the course.