MCCAIN uk CROSS CHALLENGE

The McCain UK Cross Challenge 2011 - 2012:  The Rules

Points 

1.  Cross Challenge points will be awarded in the Senior and Junior Men's and Women’s races, held in Bristol, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Antrim McCain UK Cross Challenge events.  Double points will be awarded in the Final in Birmingham.

2.   Cross Challenge points will be awarded to those in the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Boys and Girls races held at the McCain Cross Challenge events in Bristol Liverpool, Cardiff and Antrim, with double points awarded in the Final in Birmingham.

3.   Senior Men and Senior Women will score 50 points for 1^st place, down to 1 point for 50^th place. Junior Men and Junior Women will score 25 points for 1^st place down to 1 point for 25^th place.

The U13, Ul5, and Ul7 age groups will score 25 points for 1st place down to 1 point for 25^th place.

4.   Bonus points will be awarded for competing in each event of the series: 3 points will be allocated to all eligible athletes that compete at each of the events in the series.  An athlete must complete the race to claim these bonus points.

Points and Prize Eligibility

1.   Only UK athletes are allowed to score Cross Challenge points and win UK Cross  Challenge prizes.  Additional prizes may be offered by individual race organisers.

2.   Where non UK athletes are competing, their position is to be disregarded when calculating Cross Challenge points of the UK finishers.

3.   To be eligible for overall Series prizes, Senior & Junior athletes must run in at least four of the five races, including the Final.  Each athlete’s best three scores from races 1-4, plus points scored in the Final will decide the overall placings.  Athletes who do not complete the final will therefore be ineligible for the overall Series prizes.

4.   For U13, U15 and U17 athletes to be eligible for overall series prizes, they must compete in four of the five available races, including the final.  Each athlete’s best three scores from races 1-4, plus points scored in the Final will decide the overall placing.  Athletes who do not complete the final will therefore be ineligible for overall Series prizes

5.   If two or more athletes have the same points total after the Final, their overall Cross Challenge positions will be decided by their placing in the Final.

6.   Athletes without UK passports must fulfil four criteria:

      a. They must be first claim members of a UK Club.

      b. They must have been resident in the UK for at least two years. 

      c. They must be in the process of applying for a UK passport.

      d. They must be available for Great Britain and N Ireland team selection.

Prizes & Payments 

1 .  Prize Moneyis awarded to the first Six Seniors and the first four Juniors at races  1, 2, 3 and 4.  This to be paid by cheque / BACS from UK Athletics within 60 days of  receipt of the Prize Voucher from the relevant athlete, who must give their address along with the Voucher.

2.   Overall Series awards for Senior and Junior athletes will be paid in accordance with the published prize list.  These awards will be posted by UK Athletics within 60 days  of receipt of the relevant prize voucher.  Any prize voucher received by UK Athletics more than 60 days after the final held in Birmingham, will be declared void and the recipient will relinquish any entitlement to the said prize.

3.   Prizes and Trophies will be awarded to the first four athletes in each of the U13, U15 and U17 age groups at races 1, 2, 3 and 4. Prizes will be presented on the day.

4.   Overall Series awards and trophies will be presented to the first three athletes in each of the U13, U15 and U17 age group.  These awards will be presented  / posted by UK Athletics after the final event in Birmingham on 10^th March 2012. 

Age Groups

1 .  All Junior and Senior events in the Series must be run according to IAAF age groups. In particular, this is relevant to Junior athletes, who will compete according to IAAF eligibility. This means for example, that where an athlete is 20 at any point in the year of competition, he or she must compete in the Senior events.

2.   Athletes who are IAAF Juniors in 2011, but become Seniors in 2012, can compete in Junior races in 2011 and win any awards / prizes due.  However, they would not be eligible for the overall series awards  / prizes offered to Juniors after the Final in Birmingham on 10^th March 2012.

3.   Athletes who are IAAF Juniors in 2011, but become seniors in 2012, can compete in Senior races in 2011 if they so choose, and would therefore remain eligible for Senior Awards /prizes.

Championship Races

1.   The European Trials for Senior, Under 23’s and Junior athletes, will be incorporated into the McCain UK Cross Challenge Series in Liverpool on 26^th November 2011. 

2.    No individual race awards  / prizes will be awarded at Race 5, the McCain UK Cross Challenge Final. Races in the Final serve to decide the overall positions in the McCain UK Cross Challenge Series, with double points being awarded in all relevant age categories.

3.   UK Championship Medals will be awarded to the first three athletes in each of the Junior and Senior Men’s and Women’s races in Birmingham on the 10th March 2012.