Parkway Subaru Battleship Half Marathon & GFL 10K|5K

COURSE ESSENTIALS FOR WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES

Wheelchair Start:  TBD

Start Line will be at the start of the Parkway Subaru Battleship Half Marathon.

Athletes are required to check in at the Front Corral at the starting line.

All wheelchair athletes are required to wear certified helmets at all times. Helmets cannot be modified. Participants who do not have a certified helmet will not be permitted to start.

Participants are timed with both the Jaguar Timing System. Participants must wear the bib number supplied by the organizers in its entirety and original condition on the back of their racing jersey. Bib number must be in plain sight at all times.

Bib Numbers are non-transferable and MUST be worn only by the participant to whom it is assigned.

Wheelchair athletes must use appropriate caution and share the course when other athletes or Official Vehicles approach to pass.

All participants must complete the entire course unaided, except for aid that is provided at the aid stations on the course. No personal aid from a spectator is permitted.

Participants must not exceed the maximum speed of 5:00 minutes per mile as they approach the finish area.

PUSH-RIM RACING WHEELCHAIR SPECIFICATIONS

Racing wheelchairs must conform to specifications as established by the International Paralympic Committee:
The wheelchair shall have at least two large wheels and one small wheel.

Any device or design element that exists for the purpose of reducing air resistance will be permitted provided that said device or design is limited to the area between the rear wheels and must not extend beyond the lateral edges of the large wheels or extend in front or behind the edges of the tires except that fenders may protrude two inches (2″) past the circumference of the inflated tire.

The maximum diameter of the large wheel including the inflated tire shall not exceed 70cm. The maximum diameter of the small wheel including the inflated tire shall not exceed 50cm.

Only one round hand rim is allowed for each large wheel.

No mechanical gears or levers shall be allowed that may be used to propel the chair. Hand crank cycles or chairs are NOT permitted in this division.

Only hand operated mechanical steering devices will be allowed.

No part of the chair may protrude behind the vertical plane of the back edge of the rear wheels.

Athletes must ensure that no part of their lower limbs can fall to the ground or road during an event.

It will be the responsibility of the competitor that the wheelchair conforms to all the above rules and no event shall be delayed while the competitor makes adjustments to the chair.

Chairs may be measured prior to the start of the event. Chairs which have been examined may be liable to re-examination before or after the event by the official in charge of the event.

RULES FOR DUO RUNNERS

A runner pushing a person with permanent disabilities in a customized racing wheelchair:

Duo Start Time:  TBD

Both parties will need to register for the event and sign appropriate waivers.

One person must push the person with a permanent disability the entire race distance within the official course limit time.

The abled-bodied participant must maintain contact and control with the wheelchair at all times throughout the race.

Only the registered able-bodied participant is allowed to propel the wheelchair forward; no outside assistance is permitted.

The person pushing the wheelchair must be tethered to the chair.

The person being pushed will be scored in the “Duo Runner” division. The person pushing will be scored in their age division.
(Contact colinhackman@its-go-time.com for online registration instructions)

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR GUIDES

Athlete pays one entry fee, the guide does not pay, but still must register.

Only one guide per athlete receives a free entry. (Contact colinhackman@its-go-time.com for online registration instructions).

Guide MUST communicate with HMF and wear approved guide BIB number.

Guide must finish behind the athlete.

Guide may not use a bicycle or other mechanical means of transport.

Method of guidance is choice of athlete: elbow lead, tether, or run free are permitted. Strapping or tying the hands of an athlete is not permitted.

Guides cannot propel athletes forward.

RULES FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Athletes bring their own guides to the competition. The athlete pays one entry fee as the guide is only the runners “eyes.”

Both athlete and guide must be registered for the race. Contact colinhackman@its-go-time.com to receive registration instructions for the Guide.

The guide must wear the official GUIDE bib number supplied by Go Time. The bib number can be picked up at the Expo.

Guide also wears a race bib number provided by Go Time on the front of his/her shirt singlet. Guide(s) are not scored.

As the blind or visually impaired runner crosses the finish line, the guide must be behind the athlete.

The method of guidance is the choice of the athlete. He or she may choose to use an elbow lead, or a tether, or run free. Strapping or tying the hands of athlete and guide to one another is not permitted. The tether used must provide at least 5 cm (2 inches) length between the respective hands of guide and athlete. In addition, the runner may receive verbal instruction from the guide.

Guides may not use a bicycle or other mechanical means of transport.

The guide cannot pull the athlete, or propel the athlete forward by pushing.