Competition Rules

Memorial University Field House.

Information
The competition will be conducted as per the World Athletics (WA) Handbook and variations as per Athletics Canada and NLAA rules.
  • Timing - FinishLynx Photo Finish System and Hy-Tek Meet Manager will be in use for the meet.
  • Starting Commands for races 400m and shorter: “On your marks”, “Set”, the gun will be fired
  • Starting Commands for races longer than 400m: “On your marks”, the gun will be fired. Standing Start!
  • Running in lanes for races 300m and shorter: all runners must remain in their assigned lanes for the duration of the race from start to finish. In the 50m/60m/200m/300m, each athlete will have a separate lane at the start. The races will be run entirely in lanes.
  • In the 400m and 600m a two (2) turn stagger start will be used with one (1) competitor per lane at the start, runners must stay in their assigned lanes during the first 2 turns, after they cross the “breakline” runners can cut into Lane 1.
  • False Start: The athlete(s) responsible for the false start will be disqualified
  • A crouch start and starting blocks are mandatory for races 400m and shorter.
  • in races longer than 400m, all starts must be made from a standing position.
  • Middle-distance running in lanes: runners begin from a common start line and may cut to the inside lane after the first turn or crossing the breakline.

Modified Rules for athletes in the U12 and U14 categories:
False Start
- one false start will be allowed per race without disqualification of an athlete. Any further false starts shall result in the disqualification of the athlete making the false start.
Starting Blocks
- The usage of Starting Blocks is optional.
Starting position
- Starting position is optional for races 400m and shorter - Crouch Start, Standing or 3-point start.

Notes
  • It is the responsibility of each individual competitor to promptly report for their events.
  • Athletes should be ready to compete shortly after they are called to the start. Practice time before each start will be kept to a minimum, 1-2 minutes.
  • All events will be run as Timed Section Finals (TSF).
  • The 60m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 600m, 1000m, (except 1500m/3000m only to U18/U20/Snr/Mas) events are open to all age categories.
  • In all events, U12 age athletes will compete first followed by the next age category. To avoid empty lanes, however, race organizers reserve the right to combine some events.
  • Combined races - Where we have to run together two or more competition categories, the events will be ranked separately. For example, in the 60m, we may have one participant in each division. In such case, there will be one race, instead of two or more races, and participants from all categories will run together.
  • Mixed races: Male and Female Athletes competing in the U12, U14, Wheelchair and 3000m may participate together in some of the events but will be ranked separately. For all other categories, based on NLAA and Athletics Canada rules, mixed-gender (female and male) races are not allowed.