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Cross Country & Trail
Running
>> IAAF Competition Rules for Road Races
International Association of Athletics Federations
Competition Rules 2004-5: Road Races
SECTION IX - CROSS-COUNTRY
RULE 250
Cross-Country Races
General
1. Although knowing that, due to the extreme variations in conditions
in which cross country is practised throughout the world and the
difficulties in legislating for international standardisation of this
sport, 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, however, are intended as a guide and incentive
to assist countries to develop cross country running. See also the IAAF
Distance Running Manual for detailed organisational information.
Season
2. The cross-country season should normally extend throughout the
winter months after the close of the track and field season.
The Venue
3. (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.
Designing the Course
4. For Championships and international events and, wherever possible,
for other competitions:
(a) a loop course must be designed, with the loop measuring between
1,750m and 2,000m. 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.
The Course
5. (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 warmup area and the
call room) and finish area (including any mixed zone). Accredited people
only will be allowed access to these areas.
(b) The general public shall 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 five metres, including the obstacle areas.
Distances
6. Distances at IAAF World Cross-Country Championships should be
approximately:
| Men 12 km |
Women 8 km |
| Junior Men 8 km |
Junior Women 6 km |
Distances for the NACAC (North American, Central American and
Caribbean) Area Championships:
| Men 8 km |
Women 6 km |
| Junior Men 6 km |
Junior Women 4 km |
It is recommended that similar distances are used for other
International and National competitions.
The Start
7. The races shall be started by the firing of a gun. The commands
and procedure for races longer than 400m shall be used (Rule 162.3). In
international races, five-minute, three-minute and a one-minute warnings
shall be given.
Departure boxes shall be provided and the members of each team shall
be lined up behind each other at the start of the race.
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.
Mountain Races
9. Mountain Races take place across country which is mainly off road
and involves considerable amounts of ascent (for "mainly
uphill" races) or ascent/descent (for races which "start and
finish at the same level").
The recommended approximate distances and total amount of ascent for
international races is as follows:
| |
Mainly Uphill |
Start/Finish at Same Level |
| Distance |
Ascent |
Distance |
Ascent |
| Senior Men |
12km |
1200m |
12km |
700m |
| Senior Women |
7km |
550m |
7km |
400m |
| Junior Men |
7km |
550m |
7km |
400m |
Not more than 20% of the distance may be on macadamised surface. The
courses may be of a lap design.
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