Grand Prix Rules

1.  Participants must be Anniston Runners Club members at the time of the race before points can be earned.

2.  Points will be awarded in age groups only.  Age groups will consist of 10 year intervals.

3.  Runners will earn points based upon their placing in their 10 year age group for a particular race.  Points will be given based upon the number of participants in each age group.  If there are 10 people in your age group, the winner will receive 10 points.  The second place age grouper will receive 9 points, third place 8 points, 7, 6, and so on.  That would be a typical example.  Hypothetically, if there were 50 people in your age group, the winner of your age group would receive 50 points. With second place receiving 49 and so on.  This method makes it important to run in quality events where there are more competitors.  On the flip side, if you were the only person in your age group; Congratulations! You Win!  But, there was only 1 runner in your age group!  You would receive 1 point.  Therefore, the more runners you beat, the more points you earn!  So invite your friends!  Just be sure you can beat them!

4.  A runner must participate in at least 5 Grand Prix races to be eligible to receive end of year awards.

5.  Your age on your first grand prix event will determine your age group placement.  The age group you begin in will be the age group in which you compete.  EXCEPTION:  If the runner has a birthday which would cause them to move into the next 10 year age group, they will be given the option to stay in their current 10 year age group or allowed to move into the older 10 year age group. If the runner chooses to stay in the age group in which he/she began, they will keep their accumulated points.  If the runner chooses to "graduate" to the older age group, they will forfeit all points earned in the younger age group and start over in the older age group.  Let's look at a quick example:  Sam is 39 and will turn 40 halfway through the year.  Sam competes in the first 7 Grand Prix events and earns 28 points.  Sam then turns 40.  At this point, Sam will have the option of staying in the 30-39 age group and keeping his 28 points, OR, moving to the 40-49 category and start over with zero points.  He will then begin accumulating points from the remaining grand prix events. Completion of the event in any age group will still be counted toward the awarding of bonus points (see rule 9).  HOWEVER:  Grand prix points can not be transferred across age groups.

6.  Grand Prix races were selected by popular vote. Votes were cast by Anniston Running club members.  The Grand Prix schedule was determined by ballot and absentee votes at the last meeting of the previous year - the ARC Christmas/Awards banquet. This banquet is held every year in mid-December. 

7.  The top 3 males and females in each age group that meet all eligibility criteria will receive special Grand Prix awards at the year end banquet.  Special prizes will be given to the 1st place male and female in each age group.

     Eligibility criteria:

•   Active/paid membership in the Anniston Runners Club, 

• complete a minimum of 5 Grand Prix events,

• must be active/paid before any points can be accrued

8.  Ties will be broken based upon the number of races entered.  If there is still a tie, the two runners' Woodstock 5k times will be compared.  The fastest will be declared winner.  If neither participant competed in Woodstock, then the runner with the most head-to-head Grand Prix victories would prevail.

9.  Ten bonus points will be given to anyone finishing all (13) Grand Prix events.  In regard to rule 5....  Completion of the event in any age group will still be counted toward bonus points.

10.  Results disputes will be adjudicated by a Rules committee consisting of the 2007 ARC officers.

11. If a runner feels that he/she has been scored incorrectly in a Grand Prix event then he/she must appeal before the end of the next month in which the results appeared on the website.  Appeals can be sent to any officer or to the webmaster.

12.  Any race longer than a 5k will count for double points.  (i.e. Golden Eagle 10k, Chief Ladiga Half.....)

13.  The Grand Prix committee reserves the right to cancel or replace any Grand Prix event.  If an event is cancelled or postponed, a replacement race may be sought but not required.  If the original race cannot be held and/or a suitable replacement cannot be found, the race will be removed from the Grand Prix scoring.

14.  NEW FOR 2008!! The Mellow Mushroom Mad Dash is a bonus race!  Every participant, regardless of finish order, will receive 3 points.  Completion of this race is not mandatory and will not count against bonus points awarded.  This race will provide Grand Prix participants a chance to "catch up" or "pull away" in their respective categories.