You CAN take part!
Rules revised on November 11, 2020
Challenges are for athletes to enjoy competition and camaraderie during these unusual times. Therefore, athletes can participate under a wide variety of conditions. Competition conditions fall within one of the three Categories outlined below.
Rules, Categories and policies below which were used in the Worldwide Virtual Masters Challenge 2020 – Championship Edition seemed to work well but almost anything can be improved. Please provide feedback and suggestions so Challenges can continuously improve and meet the needs of Masters Athletes.
Safety and health Statement
Safety of athletes and all involved is paramount. Everyone involved must adhere to all applicable safety practices. Furthermore, it will be the responsibility of participating athletes to act within World Health Organization (WHO) and/or local government guidelines for health and safety when participating in this event.
Categories
Category A – Organized Meeting
Pre-organized competitions run by organizations at an athletics facility like a track, designated jumping / throwing field or arena or gym or certified road course with all applicable WMA Rules being followed.
Very Accurate Results – Much like a performance at a WMA Championship where tracks / road course would be certified, timing equipment calibrated, jumping pits leveled, throwing sectors laid out by knowledgeable people and all performances timed or measured by capable officials. Only fully officiated (more than one certified official) performances are eligible for this Category
Category B – Unofficial Competition
Officiated competitions at an athletics facility. As described above, officials can be friends or fellow competitors timing, marking, measuring and calling fouls. WMA Rules should be followed.
Accurate Results – The major possible difference between this and Category A is the track or competition area and training and certification of people overseeing the competition. The people officiating the competition may not be able to fully monitor the competition and might not know all the applicable rules. Therefore, competitions without the certified facilities and officials might not be as accurate as Category A performances.
Category C – AnyWay Safe
Road, parking lot, field or wherever else the athlete can compete safely except on equipment like a treadmill. WMA Rules followed wherever possible.
Result Accuracy Varies – There are many differences running 400m on a road. The road is probably not precisely level and measuring 400m is cumbersome. Similarly, creative ways athletes find to compete are different conditions than Category A which affect the potential accuracy of the performance time or measurement.
Other Rules and Policies
- Competition time frame – all performances must be done between the first and last of the Challenge.
- Number of Events contested – athletes can compete in multiple events. There is no limit to number of events.
- Championship Edition – athletes can only compete in an event once. It is just like competing in a final at a championship. Age Group is based on age on first day of Challenge. Athletes must be 35 or older on the first day of the Challenge.
- Hemispheres Edition – athletes can compete multiple times in an event – no limit to number of times. Age Group is based on age on competition day. Athletes can participate in two age groups within the same challenge if applicable. Athletes must be 30 or older during the Challenge.
- Category A 100m, 200m and Sprint Hurdles – must be FAT (Fully Automated Timing where all timing equipment, including starter, are connected electronically);
- Category B and C 100m, 200m and Sprint Hurdles – are adjusted to the higher tenth of a second and no option to compare with Category A.
- 400m and Long Hurdles Times – Category A performances should be comparable so non-FAT, 400m times are adjusted by the IAAF factor for sprints (0.24 seconds). For consistency, since there is an option to compare all performances, all non-FAT performances are adjusted.
- Combined Events scores for non-FAT 100m, 200m, 400m and Sprint Hurdles – based on IAAF Combined Events adjusted times
- Performances on treadmills and other equipment are not allowed.
- Results Submission Deadline – must be submitted by 11:59PM US Pacific Time on the second day after the Challenge time frame.
- Athletes can see their performances throughout the Challenge.
- Preliminary results will be visible to everyone within 48 hours of the Results Submission Deadline. Everyone is encouraged to review results and provide feedback. The Challenge team will review submitted results and information throughout the Challenge and for up to two weeks afterward.
- Final results will be visible about two weeks after preliminary results were posted.
Events
Popular events were selected for contesting in Hemispheres Edition. Events, including those only contested regionally, can be added. Events contested in the Championship Edition are mostly contested at WMA Stadia Championships and will not change in the spirit of honoring the Championship.
Championship Edition
Running
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m / 10k, Sprint Hurdles (80,100,110), Long Hurdles (200, 300, 400), Steeplechase and Half Marathon
Jumping
High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump and Triple Jump
Throwing
Shot Put, Discus, Hammer Throw, Javelin Throw, Weight Throw, Super Weight Throw and Throws Pentathlon
Combined Events
Decathlon, Heptathlon and Throws Pentathlon
Race Walking
5000m, 10k and 20k
Hemispheres Edition
Running
60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 1 Mile, 3000m, 5000m / 5k, 10000m / 10k, 60m Hurdles, Sprint Hurdles (80,100,110), Long Hurdles (200, 300, 400), Steeplechase, Half and Full Marathon
Jumping
High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Standing Long Jump and Triple Jump
Throwing
Shot Put, Discus, Hammer Throw, Javelin Throw, Weight Throw, Super Weight Throw and Throws Pentathlon
Combined Events
Pentathlon, Decathlon, Heptathlon and Throws Pentathlon
Race Walking
3000m, 5000m, 10k, 20k and 50k