USATF Masters LDR Track Running over 10k
Best Practices USATF Masters LDR Track running over 10,000m
Effective Jul 17, 2020
USATF
Masters
Long Distance Running
TRACK RUNNING OVER 10,000m
Best Practices
Editor
Bill Quinlisk
Copyright ©2020
An official publication of USA Track & Field
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USA Track & Field is the National Governing Body for Track and Field, Long Distance Running and Race Walking, and is the United States member of World Athletics
Introduction
Regulation 13 of the 2020 USATF Governance Manual gives the Masters Long Distance Running (MLDR) Committee jurisdiction over “all off-track running and track running over 10,000 meters for masters men and women”. These guidelines are concerned with track running over 10,000 meters for masters men and women. Master LDR athletes are defined as men and women ages 40 and over on the day of the competition.
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the governing body for Athletics in the USA. Currently, per USATF Competition Rule 267, they maintain American Masters records in 5-year age groups for the track distances listed in the chart below.
MASTERS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S LONG DISTANCE RUNNING
Track Events – Record Eligible Distances
15,000 Meters
100,000 Meters
1 Hour
20,000 Meters
200,000 Meters
2 Hours
25,000 Meters
10 Miles
12 Hours
30,000 Meters
50 Miles
24 Hours
50,000 Meters
100 Miles
Masters LDR has jurisdiction over the 15,000m, 10 mile, 20,000m, 25,000m, 30,000m, 20 mile, one hour run and two hour run held on the track. The Mountain, Ultra and Trail Committee (MUT) has jurisdiction for events on the track over the marathon distance: the 50,000m, 50 mile, 100,000m, 100 mile, 200,000m, 1,000 mile, 12 hour run, 24 hour run, 48 hour run and 144 hour run. MUT’s jurisdiction is regardless of venue.
USATF American Masters LDR records can be found at:
https://www.flipsnack.com/USATF/american-masters-records/full-view.html
Procedures
1. The general rules for track competition as listed in the USATF Competition Rules should be applied to Masters LDR competition on the track at distances longer than 10,000m as applicable. Competition Rules specific to these events are listed in the appendix below. These include rules regarding records, distance covered races (i.e., One Hour Run), leaving the track, refreshments and lap scorers. See the 2020 USATF Competition Rules at: https://www.usatf.org/governance/rule-books
2. Sections - If necessary, the Games Committee may determine the number and format of sections within the following guidelines:
a. It is suggested that no section shall have more than 32 runners.
b. Sections may be created based on age division, gender and/or qualifying time.
c. Wave starts or more than one section allowed on the track at a time are not allowed due to safety concerns regarding lapping and over-crowding.
d. Mixed competition is allowable under terms of USATF Competition Rule 147.
3. Starting - Races shall be started according to the terms of USATF Competition Rule 162 using the commands for races longer than 400m. A waterfall start is recommended with two or three rows as needed. A one-turn ‘box’ start may be used as defined in USATF Competition Rule 162.18
4. Assistance - USATF Competition Rule 144 defining legal and illegal assistance to athletes shall be strictly enforced. Competitors competing to lose or coach another competitor shall be disqualified (See Rule 144.5). See Rule 144.6 regarding athletes giving or receiving assistance during the event. Pacing by an athlete of the opposite gender in mixed gender race can be considered ‘illegal assistance’ and dealt with accordingly by the Referee. We discourage all instances of a ‘faster’ spouse pacing a ‘slower’ partner in Masters LDR mixed gender events. The ‘faster’ spouse is obviously not competing honestly with bona fide effort (See Rule 147.3).
5. Timing - Masters LDR suggests that there are three possible timing methods for races over 10,000m on the track:
a. Fully Automatic Timing (FAT) – we recommend a FAT imaging system (i.e., Lynx camera) using an open capture for the entire race. In addition to the obvious advantages of fully automatic timing for all finishers with an image based results’ file, the FAT camera would greatly simplify the lap counting and verification process.
b. Transponder Timing – we suggest that these events could be treated as if they were road races being held on the track using transponder timing at the start/finish. The use of transponder timing with timing mats at the start/finish lines would greatly simplify the lap counting and verification process. Transponder timing, when used in conjunction with a finish line imaging system (see FAT Timing above) would be the optimal system for tracking all runners and producing quick, accurate results. The disadvantage of using the transponder system as the sole timing method is the concern that transponders are not 100% accurate for placing runners. If not used in conjunction with FAT imaging system then additional back-up systems would be necessary like a finish chute with manual tear tags, select timing, finish judges using hand timing, etc.
c. Finish Judges/Timers/Lap Scorer using hand timing – This method is very labor intensive. It is suggested that a head judge record finish times and places for all finishers. Optimally, one Finish Judge/Timer/Lap Scorer would be assigned for each runner. Each runner would then have their own individual Lap Scorer/Timer/Finish Judge to track their lap splits, number of laps and finish time. In any case, no official shall be responsible for more than 3 competitors.
6. Lapped runners – There will be lapping. Lapped runners are permitted to continue running their normal course. When a runner is about to be lapped, they should stay on the inside portion of lane one and permit the lapping runner to easily pass them. This is especially important on the turns. Leaders should not have to move to lane 3 in order to pass a group of lapped runners. Lapped runners should not ‘bunch up’ but maintain a single file if possible.
7. Finishing races of a set distance - competitors shall finish according to terms of Rule 163.1. The actual finish line shall be as defined in Rule 164.
Finishing races Based on distance covered within a set time - 2020 USATF Competition Rules 163.7, 163.8 and 163.9 apply to any race decided on the basis of distance covered in a fixed period of time (e.g., One Hour Run). One Hour Run example: at the instance of the final signal – firing a gun or activating the starting device - indicating the expiration of one hour each judge shall mark the exact spot where the competitor last touched the track before or simultaneous with the final signal. Competitors may be given marking devices (i.e., bean bags) to drop at their last point of contact when the final signal is given to aid the judge. At least one judge should be assigned to each competitor. The distance shall be measured to the nearest meter or yard behind the rear edge of the last footprint of the competitor.
8. For track events over 10,000m, multiple events may be contested simultaneously. The athlete must complete the distance they entered in order for any intermediate times to be considered.
Created by Bill Quinlisk, April 15, 2020©.
Vice-Chair, USATF Masters LDR;
Masters Cross Country Rep;
Championships Coordinator, USATF Cross Country Council;
USATF Official #018316, Grade 3 Master-Level LDR Referee.
Send comments and questions to: Bill Quinlisk at crosscountry@usatf.org
USATF web links – as of May 1, 2020
USATF Website:
2019 USATF Bylaws and Operating Procedures:
https://www.usatf.org/governance/bylaws-regulations
2020 USATF Competition Rules:
https://www.usatf.org/governance/rule-books
USATF Associations look-up webpage:
https://www.usatf.org/associations
USATF Club Search webpage:
https://legacy.usatf.org/clubs/search/index.asp
USATF Club Organization/Membership
https://www.usatf.org/home/top-utility-nav-content/club-organization-membership
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) https://www.usada.org/
Watch USADA's short testing video at: https://www.usada.org/athletes/antidoping101/
This video will familiarize you with the drug testing process.
Global Drug Reference Online at: https://www.globaldro.com/Home
Questions: drugreference@usada.org
Visit the Supplement 411 website for more information on dietary supplements at:
https://www.usada.org/athletes/substances/supplement-411/
Appendix – Competition Rules
2020 USATF Competition Rules can be found at: https://www.usatf.org/governance/rule-books
The general rules for track competition as listed in the USATF Competition Rules should be applied to Masters LDR competition on the track at distances longer than 10,000m with the following points of emphasis:
1. Rule 332 – From Masters Track & Field - recommended
Rule 332 - At the National Championships, athletes shall wear a chip or similarly worn electronic device in track running events 3000 meters and longer for lap counting.
2. Rule 131 – Lap Scorers
Rule 131.1 - Lap Scorers shall keep a record of the laps covered by each competitor in races longer than one mile. For races of 3 miles and over (3000 meters and over in indoor races), Lap Scorers shall also record on their lap scoring cards the times over each lap (as given them by an Official Timer) of the competitors for whom they are responsible. No Lap Scorer should be responsible for more than three competitors (six in the case of ultramarathons and road walking events). NOTE: Whenever possible, an adequate number of trained lap scorers should be selected before the day of competition.
Rule 131.4 - Transponder systems complying with Rule 165.16 may be used for lap scoring.
3. Rule 144 – Refreshments
Rule 144 - In Track Events longer than 10,000m, water shall be provided; sponging stations and refreshments may be provided. Refreshments may be provided by either the Games Committee or the athlete and shall be placed so that they are easily accessible to, or may be put by authorized persons into the hands of the athletes. Refreshments provided by the athletes shall be kept under the supervision of officials designated by the Games Committee from the time that the refreshments are lodged by the athletes or their representatives. See Rules 232 and 241.
4. Rule 163 - Leaving the Track
Rule 163 (a) - No competitor, after voluntarily leaving the track or course, except in compliance with Rule 170.16, shall be allowed to rejoin a race either for the purpose of gaining a place or to pace or to assist another competitor. The competitor shall be recorded as not finishing the event. A competitor attempting to re-enter the race shall be disqualified.
Rule 163 (b) - In any track event of 20,000 meters or more or in any road race, a competitor may leave the marked course with the permission and under the control of a judge or other authorized official, provided that by going off or returning to the course the athlete does not lessen the distance to be covered.
5. Rule 163 – Distance Covered Races
Rule 163.8 - In any race decided on the basis of the distance covered in a fixed period of time, the Starter shall activate the starting device or give other audible or visual signal exactly one minute before the end of the race to warn competitors and judges that the race is nearing its end. At the exact specified time after the start, as directed by the Chief Timer, the Starter shall signal the end of the race by again activating the starting device or giving other audible or visual signal. The Timers will then immediately stop their watches. At the instant of the signal of the expiration of the time, the Judges appointed for that purpose shall mark the exact spot where each competitor last touched the track before or simultaneously with the final signal. Competitors may be given marking devices to place at their last contact point to aid the Judges. The distance achieved shall be measured to the nearest meter or yard behind the rear edge of the last footprint of the competitor. At least one judge shall be assigned to each competitor before the start of the race for the purpose of recording the time of each lap completed and marking the distance achieved.
Rule 163.9 - Distances achieved in fixed time period races may be measured in miles, yards, or meters. However, the results must be reported in kilometers and/or meters. Distances converted from other than metric measurement must be indicated as such. Any conversions shall always be rounded down to the next lower meter.
6. Rule 265 – Record Requirements
Rule 265.3 - For track records at distances longer than 10,000 meters, lap sheets must be kept. Such lap sheets must record the total elapsed time for the record applicant for each lap. Only laps for which a time was recorded will be counted as having been completed. Each time entry must be initialed by the recorder, the lap sheets must be verified and signed by the race director, and a legible photocopy (NOT the original copy) of the lap sheets must accompany the record application.