Technical Instructions

Runners competing in the 2024 USATF Cross Country Championships on Saturday, January 20, 2024, should be aware of the following points of emphasis. Competitors who fail to comply with these and other applicable USATF Rules of Competition risk possible disqualification.

1. Registration: Registration for the 2024 USATF Cross Country Championships is available online only at the links below:
   1. Registration
2. Entry Deadline: On-time registration is open until Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Late registration is open until Monday, January 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
3. No Late Entries: No entries will be accepted via phone, fax or email after the close of online registration. No entries will be accepted at packet pick-up. No entries will be accepted on race day. Per USATF Competition Rule 341.12, absolutely no changes will be allowed to runner team affiliation after the close of online registration.
4. Eligibility: You must be a 2024 USATF member to enter the USATF Cross Country Championships. All athletes must be citizens of the United States and eligible to represent the United States in international competition to be eligible for team scoring and for USATF medals and prize money.  If you do not have a 2024 membership, please visit www.usatf.org/membership
5. Note on Non-Citizens: Non-US citizens are not allowed to compete in the Open and U20 races. Non-US citizens ages 40+ who are 2024 USATF members are allowed to compete in the Master races but may not score for a team nor win individual awards.
6. Age Limits: Open runners must be ages 16+ on race day. U20 runners must be ages 14 to 19 on race day and cannot turn 20 at any time in 2024. Master runners must be ages 40+ on race day.
7. The Race Course: The race starts and finishes at Pole Green Park.
8. Cutting the Course: Any competitor who has been found by the Referee to have gained an unfair advantage by intentionally shortening the route of the race (“cutting the course”) shall be immediately disqualified. 
9. Illegal Assistance: Anyone found to have received illegal assistance is subject to disqualification. “Assistance” is the conveying of advice, information, or direct help to an athlete by any means, including a technical device. It also includes pacing in running or walking events by persons not participating in the event, by competitors lapped or about to be lapped, or by any kind of technical device. Verbal or other communication, without the use of any technical device, from an individual not on the course shall not be considered assistance. The course is defined as the grass pathway and bike path between their edges and curbs.
10. Bona Fide Effort: All athletes should compete honestly with bona fide effort in all Cross Country Championship events.
11. Water: Runners may at any time carry water and other refreshments by hand or attached to their body provided it was carried from the start or received at any official water station.
12. Wireless Devices: The use of wireless devices (iPhones or iPods) is not permitted. Competitors may carry or wear articles of personal equipment such as wrist chronometers and heart-rate monitors. The use of phones is prohibited during the race.
13. Competition Front Bib Numbers/Timing Tag: All runners must wear the competition bib number pinned on the front of the outermost layer of clothing that you they will be wearing in the race. Per USATF Competition Rules “bibs are to be worn as issued”. Bibs should not be crinkled, folded or cut.  The transponder timing antennae or “B” tag is a part of the bib number and is disposable after the race.
14. Master Age/Gender “Back” Bibs: Masters (ages 40+) entered in the USATF Cross Country Championships Master races must also wear an age/gender “back” number pinned to the back of the outermost layer of clothing that they are wearing in the race. Please use 4 pins to affix the “back” number in such a manner that it is visible to any runner behind them and will not flip up. Any Master competitor failing to wear a competition bib number on the front and a visible age/gender “back” number will be subject to disqualification. If your packet is lacking a “back” number, extras will be made available at packet pick-up and at the start line.
15. Packet Pick-up: Teams are given a last chance to revise their team rosters onsite, in person, at packet pick-up at Pole Green Park on Friday, January 19^th. Packet pickup runs from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
16. Final Team Declarations: If a team has listed more than maximum number of athletes on their online declaration form and fails to submit a revised final team declaration form by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 19^th, then the extra runners (as listed on the status of entries webpage) will be dropped from the team roster. “B” teams are permitted. No email, fax, or phone team declarations will be accepted. Hard copy Team Declaration forms will be made available at packet pick-up.
17. Technical Meeting: Open to all runners, coaches, and guests at
    7:00 p.m. The Technical Instructions will be posted on the USATF event webpage. Questions should be directed to the Championship Referee. The technical meeting will be hosted at the Virginia Crossing Hotel 1000 Virginia Center Pkwy, Glen Allen, VA. 23059.
18. Host Hotel: Room blocks for the Championships have been secured. Details can be found on the event page.
19. Nearest Airport: Richmond International Airport is about a 20 minute drive from the course.
20. Bag Drop: A designated area will be available near the start for all championship runners to gather and leave their bags. While we try to marshal the area as best as we can, the race is not responsible for lost or stolen items from clothing bags. You must use your own athletic bag.

21. Start Time: Each competitor is responsible for knowing the starting time of their race. All competitors are responsible for being at the starting line no later than 15 minutes prior to their start with their competition bib number. Master runners must also wear the age/gender “back” number properly affixed.

     

    Community 6 km Run	9:00 AM
    Free Kids Run (10 years and younger)	9:30 AM
    Masters Women 6 km	10:30 AM
    Masters Men 8 km	11:30 AM
    U20 Women 6 km	12:30 AM
    U20 Men 8 km	1:15 PM
    Open Women 10 km	2:00 PM
    Open Men 10 km	2:50 PM

22. Start Details: All complete scoring teams must report together to the USATF Clerks at the tent adjacent to the starting line to verify their team uniforms (see below for uniform apparel requirements for complete teams). All Championship runners will be checked for proper front bib and back numbers (Masters) prior to the start. There will be a two-command start: “On your marks” followed by the gun signaling the start of the race. All awards are based on “gun time”.
23. No false start: False starts will not be recalled. Runners who false start are subject to disqualification.
24. Team Uniforms: All members of each complete scoring team must be clearly identifiable as team members. Team identification shall be clearly visible and shall distinguish one team from another. The jersey or singlet worn by the members of a team shall be basically identical for each member in color and style, and must be clearly visible throughout the race, i.e., worn as the outer garment if other apparel items are worn underneath by one or more team members. Individuals not complying with this uniform rule may be disqualified from scoring for a team. Bibs must be securely fastened (4 pins) to this outermost jersey or singlet. The USATF Clerks will begin verifying team uniforms at the Masters tent adjacent to the start line beginning 30 minutes prior to each race. Do not wait until the last minute to verify team uniforms.
25. “B” Teams: If a club enters two (or more) teams in the same team age/gender division, then members of these teams shall wear different singlets. If this is not possible, then the games committee shall issue identifying letters to all members of the “B” teams to be worn on the back of the singlet. Stick-on letters (“B”, “C”, etc.) will be available at packet pick-up and at the start line.
26. Withdrawal for medical reasons: A competitor must retire from the race immediately if directed to do so by a duly authorized official of the race or by an appropriately identified member of the race medical staff.
27. Club teams: All clubs must be registered with USATF for 2024. Only teams consisting of duly accredited representatives of a member club shall be eligible to score as a team. The formation of club teams must meet all of the parameters found in Regulations 4 and 6 in the 2024 USATF Governance Handbook found at: https://www.usatf.org/governance/bylaws-regulations USATF Association, Regional, or National “all-star” teams are not eligible to compete in Masters Long Distance Running Team competition. According to USATF Competition Rule 341.8, “Only one athlete per team (i.e., Club M50+ team) who is a non-resident member of an Association is eligible to compete for a team in that Association”. Please make sure that your club has renewed for 2024.
28. Club affiliation: Athletes must be bona fide members of a 2024 USATF club in order to represent a club and score team points. All athletes entering as part of a club must be affiliated with that club as part of their USATF online membership profile. Per USATF Competition Rule 341.12, absolutely no changes will be allowed to runner team affiliation after the close of online registration. An athlete's current affiliation can be viewed in their membership profile. Note that this request must be made by the athlete at least one week prior to the date of the race and finalized prior to the close of online registration. This is the athlete’s responsibility. Rule 341.12 as follows: “In Masters Long Distance Running including Masters Cross Country, an athlete may not change affiliation prior to the Championships or be eligible to represent or score points for the club to which he/she seeks to change affiliation after the closing of online entries for Masters LDR and Master Cross Country Championships. If the athlete does not desire to compete for their original club, if any, then they may compete unattached, representing no club. Changing club affiliation prior to Master Championship online entry deadlines is the responsibility of the athlete. For a primer on how to change your club affiliation see the USATF Governance Manual Regulation 4.C.2 at: https://www.usatf.org/governance/bylaws-regulations. Also, contact your local Association’s Membership Chair for help.
29. Final Team Declarations Open and U20: As part of the online registration system, there is unlimited team registration. However, only six athletes are allowed to be on the final team declaration per Open and U20 teams. If you have listed more than six athletes on your team’s online declaration form, only the first six listed according to the Status of Entry webpage shall comprise your club's declared scoring team unless you revise your team declaration form. Revisions may be made by a team representative using the online team portal prior to the close of online registration at midnight on Monday, January 15, 2024. Additionally, a hard copy revision to final team declarations may be submitted in-person at packet pick-up between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024 only. No email, phone or fax declarations will be accepted. Team revision forms will be available at packet pick-up. Questions should be directed to the Championship Referee.
30. Final Team Declarations Masters: As part of the online registration system, there is unlimited team registration. However, only nine athletes are allowed to be on the final team declaration for M40+ and M50+ teams with 5 scoring. Only five athletes are allowed to be on the final team declaration for all other Master teams (M60+, M70+, M80+ and all Master Women’s teams) with three scoring. If you have listed more than nine/five athletes on your team’s online declaration form, only the first nine/five listed according to the Status of Entry webpage shall comprise your club's declared scoring team unless you revise your team declaration form. Revisions may be made by a team representative using the online team portal prior to the close of online registration at midnight on Monday, January 15, 2024. Additionally, a hard copy revision to final team declarations may be submitted in-person at packet pick-up. No email, phone or fax declarations will be accepted. Team revision forms will be available at packet pick-up. Questions should be directed to the Championship Referee.
31. Sponsor Affiliation: In addition to a club affiliation, athletes can represent one (1) corporate sponsor. This corporate sponsor must be a registered USATF Corporate Member and be part of the athlete's membership profile. Corporate Membership applications can be obtained by sending an e-mail to lori.bird@usatf.org. All sponsor affiliations must be finalized by close of entries. No sponsor changes will be accepted after this date.
32. Age Verification: Unless your date of birth/age has already been verified according to your USATF online membership profile, all entries for Masters and U20 athletes must be accompanied by a copy of a legal document (passport or birth certificate) in order to verify date of birth and citizenship. If you have a valid passport at the time of entry, please use a copy of the information page of your passport as verification of citizenship and birth date. These copies will not be returned. If you need help with this process, there is a step by step video to assist you with the uploading process at: https://vimeopro.com/user44435707/usatf-connect-member-tutorials/video/403329154. We cannot verify ages as part of the packet pick-up process for this event. Runners whose ages are incorrect at the time of the race are subject to possible protest and subsequent event disqualification. To upload a copy of your passport or birth certificate, you will need to log into your USATF Connect account and upload the copy under the “Athlete Verifications” tab. 

33. Masters Team Scoring: Master Teams for all USATF Cross Country Championships shall be scored by place as follows:
    
    Each division shall be scored separately by places of the top 3 or 5 team finishers respective of the division (see chart below).
     

    Division	# Score	# Declare	# Enter
    Men 40+	5	9	unlimited
    Men 50+	5	9	unlimited
    Men 60+	3	5	unlimited
    Men 70+	3	5	unlimited
    Men 80+	3	5	unlimited
    Women 40+	3	5	unlimited
    Women 50+	3	5	unlimited
    Women 60+	3	5	unlimited
    Women 70+	3	5	unlimited
    Women 80+	3	5	unlimited

34. USATF Rules indicate that when scoring by place: The team score shall be the total of the finishing positions of the scoring members. The team with the lowest total points is the team winner. Runners of incomplete teams, team entries not declared eligible for team scoring, and unattached or individual competitors will be eliminated from team scoring. Non-scoring declared members of complete teams shall retain their finishing positions and thereby displace other runners. When separate competitions are conducted simultaneously, each shall be scored independently. Runners on teams not eligible for a given competition will be eliminated from team scoring in that competition. If a team fails to finish with a complete scoring team, the team members finishing shall be counted as individuals in the race results and shall be eligible to receive individual awards. Team scoring tie breaker (Rule 7.9.b) – Ties between two or more teams shall be resolved in favor of the team whose last scoring member finishes closer to first place.
34. Open and U20 Team Scoring: All Open and U20 teams shall have unlimited entry but shall declare a maximum of 6 runners per team with 4 scoring. The team score shall be the total of the finishing positions of the 4 scoring members. The team with the lowest total points is the team winner. Runners of incomplete teams, team entries not declared eligible for team scoring, and unattached or individual competitors will be eliminated from team scoring. Non-scoring declared members of complete teams shall retain their finishing positions and thereby displace other runners. Runners on teams not eligible for a given competition will be eliminated from team scoring in that competition. If a team fails to finish with a complete scoring team, the team members finishing shall be counted as individuals in the race results and shall be eligible to receive individual awards.
35. Incomplete Teams: USATF Rules indicate that when scoring by time; if a team fails to finish with a complete scoring team (for example, less than 3 finishers on a Men’s 60+ team), then that team shall not be scored. However, the team members who do finish shall be counted as individuals in the race results and shall be eligible to win individual awards. A runner may be declared on a single team roster.
36. Ties: Ties between two or more teams within a division shall be resolved by determining which team last scoring member has the faster time. The team whose last scoring member (i.e., 3^rd runner) has the faster time will be awarded the higher place. Individual runners who tie in official gun time rounded to the slower full second shall be resolved by the position of their torso at the finish line when viewed by the finish line camera.
37. Results: Overall Championship Individual and Team results will be posted adjacent to the finish line. Please check these results to make sure that your finish is listed. See the Referee if there are any problems/omissions. There is a one hour protest period once results have been posted.
38. Protests: Protests must be made to the appropriate Referee within one hour of results being posted. The Referee will rule immediately on all protests. There is a $75 fee to file a written appeal of the Referee’s ruling with the Jury of Appeal. The filing fee is returned if your appeal is upheld by the Jury. The decision of the Jury of Appeal is final and without further appeal.
39. Awards Ceremony: There is a one hour protest period once results have been posted on site.
40. Drug Testing: All competitors entered in the USATF Championships are eligible for “in-competition” drug testing. Any questions regarding prescriptions or other over-the-counter medication should be directed to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) at 1-888-233-0393.
41. Detailed schedules, course maps, etc. may be reviewed online at: 2024 USATF Cross Country Championships.