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About this challenge
This is a fun challenge run by athletes for athletes. The founders encourage all athletes from around the world to participate. Maybe the perfect opportunity to try something new! Competitions should be run as usually done but, since that is not possible in many areas, competitions can be done any safe way.
On this page:
- Do times need to be fully automated?
- Can events 100m and longer be run on a road, field or anywhere else other than a track?
- How many events can we compete in?
- How are horizontal jumps and throws contested and measured?
- How many attempts can be taken in jumps and throws?
- How will you maintain the quality in the results?
- How can I run a steeplechase if no water is in the pit?
- How can I pole vault or high jump without a pit?
- What is a “Superweight”
- Are results for this challenge eligible for World Masters Rankings?
- Will the results be published after being submitted or after August 4th?
Q: Do times need to be fully automated?
A: No. You can run and racewalk anywhere where you are safe and time any way possible. It is preferred to run on a track and timed by officials, technology or people but self-timed performances are welcome.
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Q: Here in our country, we cannot compete on a track. Can athletes measure out the distance on a highway for 100 meters or more and time running that?
A: Yes, as long as done safely. Obviously, running on a highway in traffic is not allowed!
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Q: How many events can we compete in?
A: As many as you want and can do between 18 July to 2 August. You can only compete in an event once during the competition.
Examples:
- An athlete can choose a day between July 18 and August 2 to run a 400M. The athlete can only do the 400M once in the date period for purposes of the competition
- A decathlete can do the ten events in the decathlon over two days. This is one event. The decathlete can also enter and compete in other individual events, such as the high jump, discus throw and 400 meters. These would be three additional events
- A thrower can compete in the five events of the Throws Pentathlon and count the first three throws towards the scoring of the throw’s pentathlon. This is one event. The same athlete continues to take all six throws, of which any of the six could count for results in the individual throwing events in the virtual competition. This would be five separate events, plus the throw’s pentathlon for a total of six events. OR a thrower takes the three throws in the five events in the throws pentathlon and completes the event. The throw may enter other throws events and complete them individually within the competition date range.
Q: How are horizontal jumps and throws contested and measured?
A: If possible, people, other than the athlete, should be watching for fouls, marking the landing and measuring the attempts.
Q: How many attempts can be taken in jumps and throws?
A: Six attempts for open and three attemps for combined events horizontal jumps and throws. High Jump and pole vault athletes are allowed to continue competing until they have three consecutive failed attempts.
Q: How will you maintain the quality in the results?
A: We obviously prefer a competitor to compete in a normal track and field event under all the rules. This situation will not be possible for athletes in all locations. Participation is key given the world wide difficulties this year. The result category will be flagged into the categories below. An athlete, is only able to participate per the example given is welcome, but will be in a different category to other athletes.
Category A – Pre-organized competitions run by organizations at an athletics facility like a track, designated jumping / throwing field or arena or gym with all applicable WMA rules being followed.
Category B – Officiated competitions at an athletics facility. As described above, officials can be friends or fellow competitors timing, marking, measuring and calling fouls.
Category C – Road, parking lot, field or wherever else the athlete can compete safely.
Examples of Category C Events:
- A timed 800 meter run can be completed on a measured course. It does not have to be a running track. The run can be timed with a stop watch by a friend, you do not need a certified official.
- A discus thrower may perform on a flat piece of ground with markings for a circle. A friend can mark throws and someone else can check for foot fouls.
Q: How can I run a steeplechase if no water is in the pit?
A: No water in the water jump is not safe. This is not the case everywhere, however, and hopefully more facilities will open again. Events like steeplechase might be able to be contested if it can be done safely without water like having all the barriers on the track, of the cover over the water jump pit.
Q: How can I pole vault or high jump without a pit?
A: Not all events can be done outside a normal track with jumping, vaulting and throwing facilities. Pole vault would not be an option without a safe runway and landing area. This is not the case everywhere, however, and hopefully more facilities will open again.
Q: What is a “Superweight”
A: A super weight is a heavy version of the weight throw and conforms to the same rules for construction, handles and throwing. The event is common in the USA and Australia with limited participation historically in other countries. Weights are: M35-59 – 56lb (25.45k); M60-69 – 44lb (20k); M70-79 – 35lb (15.91k); M80+ – 25lb (11.36k); W35-49 – 35lb (15.91k); W50-59 – 25lb (11.36k); W60-74 – 20lb (9.09k); W75+ – 16lb (7.26k);
Q: Are results for this challenge eligible for World Masters Rankings?
A: Only those in Category A where the competition is fully in accordance with WMA Rules.
Q: Will the results be published after being submitted or after August 4th?
A: Results will be published as soon as possible after the August 4th submission deadline. We will be reviewing performances as they are submitted and potentially contacting the athletes. We will probably have preliminary results immediately after the submission deadline without performances needing further verification. Final results should be ready by August 11th.
