RACES MOUNTAIN NEWS

CROSS,CORRIDA MONTANHA, E TRAIL
NOVAS REGRAS DE COMPETIÇÂO APLICÀVEIS A PARTIR DE 2018


SECTION IX - CROSS-COUNTRY, MOUNTAIN AND TRAIL RACES
There are extreme variations in conditions in which Cross-Country Running, Mountain Running and Trail Running are practised throughout the world and it is difficult to legislate international standardisation of these events. It must be accepted that the difference between very successful and unsuccessful events often lies in the natural characteristics of the venue and the abilities of the course designer. The following Rules are intended as a guide and incentive to assist Members to develop Cross-Country Running, Mountain Running and Trail Running.
RULE 250
Cross-Country Races Distances 
1. distances at IAAF World Cross-Country Championships should be approximately: Men 10km Women 10km U20 Men 8km U20 Women 6km The distances recommended for U18 competitions should be approximately: U18 Boys 6km U18 Girls 4km It is recommended that similar distances be used for other International and National competitions. Course
2. (a) The course must be designed on an open or woodland area, covered as far as possible by grass, with natural obstacles, which can be used by the course designer to build a challenging and interesting race course. (b) The area must be wide enough to accommodate not only the course but also all the necessary facilities.
3. For Championships and international events and, wherever possible, for other competitions:
(a) A loop course must be designed, with the loop measuring between 1500m and 2000m. If necessary, a small loop can be added in order to adjust the distances to the required overall distances of the various events, in which case the small loop must be run in the early stages of the event. It is recommended that each long loop should have a total ascent of at least 10m.
(b) Existing natural obstacles shall be used if possible. However, very high obstacles should be avoided, as should deep ditches, dangerous ascents / descents, thick undergrowth and, in general, any obstacle which would constitute a difficulty beyond the aim of the competition. It is preferable that artificial obstacles should not be used but if such use is unavoidable, they should be made to simulate natural obstacles met within open country. In races where there are large numbers of athletes, narrow gaps or other hindrances which would deny the athletes an unhampered run shall be avoided for the first 1500m.
(c) The crossing of roads or any kind of macadamised surfaces shall be avoided or at least kept to a minimum. When it is impossible to avoid such conditions in one or two areas of the course, the areas must be covered by grass, earth or mats. (d) Apart from the start and finish areas, the course must not contain any other long straight. A “natural”, undulating course with smooth curves and short straights, is the most suitable.
4.
(a) The course shall be clearly marked with tape on both sides. It is recommended that all along one side of the course a 1m wide corridor, heavily fenced from the outside of the course, shall be installed for the use of organisation officials and media only (obligatory for Championship events). Crucial areas must be heavily fenced; in particular the start area (including the Warm-up Area and the Call Room) and finish area (including any mixed zone). Only accredited people will be allowed access to these areas.
(b) The general public should only be allowed to cross the course in the early stages of a race at well organised cross-over points, marshalled by stewards.
(c) It is recommended that, apart from the start and finish areas, the course be a width of 5 metres, including the obstacle areas.
5. For Cross-Country Relays, lines 50mm wide 20m apart shall be drawn across the course to denote the takeover zone. All takeover procedures, which, unless otherwise specified by the organisers, shall comprise a physical contact between the incoming and outgoing athletes, shall be completed within this zone.
Start
6. The races shall be started by the firing of a gun. The commands for races longer than 400m shall be used (Rule 162.2(b)). In races which include a large number of athletes, five-minute, three-minute and one-minute warnings should be given. departure boxes shall be provided for teams races and the members of each team shall be lined up behind each other at the start of the race. In other races, the athletes shall be lined up in the manner determined by the organisers. On the command “On your marks”, the starter shall ensure that no athlete has his foot (or any part of his body) touching the start line or the ground in front of it, and shall then start the race.
Safety
7. Organisers of Cross-Country Races shall ensure the safety of athletes and officials.
Drinking / Sponging and Refreshment Stations 
8. Water and other suitable refreshments shall be available at the start and finish of all races. For all events, a drinking / sponging station shall be provided every lap, if weather conditions warrant such provision. Note: Where conditions warrant, taking into account the nature of the event, the weather conditions and the state of fitness of the majority of the competitors, water and sponges may be placed at more regular intervals along the route.
Race Conduct 
9. If the Referee is satisfied on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise that an athlete has left the marked course thereby shortening the distance to be covered, he shall be disqualified. The finish area shall be wide enough to enable several runners to sprint side by side and long enough to separate them at the finish. Unless a Transponder Timing System is being used together with a backup system (such as a video recording) to check finishing orders, finish lanes (“funnels”) should be set up some 8 to 10 metres after the finish line with a maximum width of 0.70-0.80m. Once in the funnels, the athletes must not be able to overtake one another. The funnels should be 35-40m long into which the athletes will be directed as they cross the finish line. At the end of each funnel, officials will note the athletes’ numbers/names and if applicable recover their transponder timing chips.
 The funnels should have moveable ropes at the end at which the athletes enter, so that when one lane is full, the next rope can be drawn across behind the last athlete, to enable the next finisher to enter the new finish lane, and so on. Judges and Timekeepers will additionally be placed on either side of the finish line and it is recommended that, in order to follow up any appeal relative to the finishing order, an official with video recording equipment (if possible with a timing clock in sight) shall be assigned and placed a few metres after the finish line in order to record the order in which the athletes cross the line
RULE 251
 Mountain Races
 Types of Mountain Races
1. (a) Most Mountain Running races are mass starts in which all athletes start together or are started separately by sex or age categories.
(b) For Mountain Running Relays, the composition, course distances and course types could vary widely, depending on the natural conditions and the plans of the Organisers.
(c) Mountain Races with individual start times at various intervals are considered time trials. The results are ordered by the individual finish times.
Course 
2. (a) Mountain Running takes place on terrain that is mainly off-road, unless there is significant elevation gain on the route in which case a macadamised surface is acceptable. (b) Each Mountain Running course is a specific one with the natural conditions dictating the basic course route. Existing roads and trails should preferably be used. The Organisers are responsible to care for the environment.
(c) The course length may vary from 1km to the marathon distance respecting required technical details.
(d) Courses can be mostly uphill, up and down or a mix.
(e) The average incline should include a minimum of 5% (or 50m per km) and not exceed 20% (or 200m per km). The most preferable average elevation gain is approximately 100m per km provided that the course remains runnable. (f) Courses should be well marked. A detailed course map with a profile should be provided.
Start 
3. The commands for races longer than 400m shall be used (Rule 162.2(b)). In races which include a large number of athletes, five-minute, three-minute and one-minute warnings before the start of the race should be given.
Safety 
4. Organisers of Mountain Races shall ensure the safety of athletes and officials. Specific conditions such as high altitude in relation to the weather conditions and available infrastructure should be respected.
Drinking / Sponging and Refreshment Stations
5. Water and other suitable refreshments shall be available at the start and finish of all races. Additional drinking / sponging stations should be provided at suitable places along the course.
Race Conduct 
6. If the Referee is satisfied on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise that an athlete has left the marked course thereby shortening the distance to be covered, he shall be disqualified.
RULE 252 
Trail Races
Course 
1. (a) Trail Races take place on a variety of terrain (including dirt roads, forest paths and single track footpaths) within a natural environment in open country (such as mountains, desert, forests or plains) that is mainly off-road.
(b) Sections of macadamised surfaces or concrete are acceptable but should be the minimum possible for the desired course and must not exceed 20% of the total distance of the race. There shall be no set limit on distance or altitude gain or loss.
(c) The Organisers shall, prior to the race, announce the distance and total ascent / descent of the course which must have been measured and provide a map and detailed profile of the course together with a description of the technical difficulties to be confronted during the race.
(d) The course must be marked in such a way that athletes receive sufficient information to complete it without deviating from it.
Equipment
 2. (a) Trail Running does not specify the use of a particular technique or specific equipment in its progression.
(b) The Organiser may, however, impose or recommend obligatory security equipment applicable to the conditions expected or possibly to be encountered during the race which would allow the athlete to avoid a situation of distress or, in the case of an accident, to give the alert and wait in safety for the arrival of help.
(c) A survival blanket, whistle, supply of water and a food reserve are the minimum elements which each athlete should possess.
(d) If specifically permitted by the Organisers, athletes may use poles such as hiking poles.
Start
 3. The races shall be started by the firing of a gun. The commands for races longer than 400m shall be used (Rule 162.2(b)). In races which include a large number of athletes, five-minute, three-minute and one-minute warnings before the start of the race should be given.
Safety
4. The Organisers shall ensure the safety of athletes and officials and must have a race specific plan for health, safety and rescue, including the means to provide assistance to athletes and other participants in distress.
Aid Stations 
5. Since Trail Running is based on self-sufficiency, each athlete shall be autonomous between aid stations in relation to clothing, communications, food and drink. Accordingly, aid stations shall be sufficiently spaced out according to the organisers’ plan so as to respect the autonomy of athletes but taking in account health and safety.
Race Conduct
6. If the Referee is satisfied on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise that an athlete has left the marked course thereby shortening the distance to be covered, he shall be disqualified.
7. Assistance may only be provided at aid stations.
8. The Organisers of each trail race shall publish specific regulations setting out the circumstances that may result in the penalisation or disqualification or an athlete.