Each event in the SPAR Women’s Challenge Series takes place under the rules of the relevant Provincial Athletic Associations, ASA and World Athletics.
NATIONAL EVENT STATUS
The SPAR Women’s 10km Series are National Events as listed on the ASA national fixture list. Where there is a conflict between an ASA rule and a World Athletics rule, the World Athletics rule will take precedence. The World Athletics Advertising Regulations shall be applicable.
ENTRANT RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the entrant, and/or their legal guardian. to ensure that all the correct participant information is supplied. Entrants who provide incorrect or incomplete information on their entry forms, whether electronically or written, may not qualify for any open or age category prizes.
AGE RESTRICTION
10 km – competitors are required to be 14 years or older on the day of competition.
5 km – competitors are required to be 9 years or older on the day of competition.
COMPETITION
Athletes compete both as individuals and members of clubs. Such clubs can be NATIONAL, where a club has branches in more than one province, or REGIONAL, where the club is registered in a single province.
INDIVIDUALS
South African athletes are required to have a 2023 ASA licence number, or a TEMP licence in order to compete in the 1okm events.
Foreign athletes will require clearance from their respective Federations and ASA, as per regulations, in order to compete.
Foreign athletes will require a TEMP licence.
AGE CATEGORIES
Junior (a Junior must be 19 or younger on 31 December 2023)
40-49, 50-59, 60+
Athletes may be required to provide proof of age before receiving age category prizes.
The SPAR Grand Prix Series COMPETITION takes place according to Age Categories in addition to the OPEN category. The athlete will participate and only be eligible for prizes in the category they entered for, provided they display the relevant official AGE CATEGORY TAGS clearly visible on the front and back of their vest. Please ensure that you understand the ASA Age Category Rules.
POINTS SCORING
The best 4 events points scored by an athlete in individual races will count at the end of the series. In this way, an athlete can miss 2 of the 6 races and remain competitive. Should an athlete compete in 5 or 6 races, her highest 4 points scores (a combination of the overall and bonus points) will count at the end.
Points are awarded at each of the 6 events in the Grand Prix Series based on the athletes finish position in the:
- OPEN CATEGORY (All athletes)
- SPECIFIC AGE CATEGORY (40-49, 50-59, 60+)
Please note that points awarded in a specific AGE CATEGORY do NOT count towards points in the OPEN CATEGORY.
Click Here to see the points allocation for positions at each event.
For example, in the DURBAN event a 40-49 athlete wins the 40-49 CATEGORY (5 points) and comes third in the OPEN CATEGORY (18 points). In CAPE TOWN she wins the 40-49 CATEGORY (5 points) and comes 5th in the OPEN CATEGORY (16 points). The accumulated points will be:
- 40-49 CATEGORY 5 + 5 = 10
- OPEN CATEGORY 18 + 16 = 34
CHANGE OF AGE CATEGORY DURING THE YEAR
An athlete who changes AGE CATEGORIES during the SERIES will have two options:
- Remain in the AGE CATEGORY in which she started the first race, or:
- Change to the NEW CATEGORY and only receive the points accumulated from that event onwards.
As an example; Athlete A, completes wins the first 2 events in 40-49 Category and receives 5 + 5 points (10 points). She then turns 50 on 27 June 2022 and has the option to:
- Remain in the 40-49 Category for the remainder of the series in which case her points keep accumulating (5 + 5 + ?)
- Change to the 50-59 Category for the remainder of the series in which case her 10 points on the 40-49 count towards the overall 40-49 Category and any new points count towards the 50-59 Category.
ANY ATHLETE AFFECTED BY THIS MUST ADVISE THE EVENT OF THE CATEGORY THEY WISH TO COMPETE IN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EVENT AND SHOW THE CORRECT AGE CATEGORY TAGS WHILE COMPETING.
BONUS POINTS
BONUS POINTS earned will count towards positions in both the individual and team competitions. These are based on specific target times, for the open and age categories and vary from race to race according to the Bonus Points table. Every athlete who achieves the respective target time will earn these bonus points.
The breakdown of bonus points to be awarded at each of the six SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Regional events can be viewed here.
CLUB POINTS
The SPAR Grand Prix Series does not differentiate between provinces for the purposes of calculating a CLUB prize.
For example, points awarded to athletes who compete for Nedbank Running Club (EC), Nedbank Running Club (AGN) and Nedbank Running Club (KZN) will count towards Nedbank Running Club. Entrants are requested to use the full team name without the province (IE: Nedbank Running Club) when completing their entry process.
When calculating total points earned by an athlete for her club, both age category and open category points will score.
CLUB CHANGES RULE
If an athlete competes in the first two events in the series under Nedbank Running Club, then choses to move to Maxed Elite, her points awarded in the first two events will accumulate towards Nedbank Running Club. Points awarded at the remaining events will accumulate towards Maxed Elite.
NOTE: Only once clearance has been received for her to change clubs will her points be awarded to the new club.
EVENTS PRIZE MONEY
The breakdown of prize money to be awarded at each of the six SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge regional events can be viewed here.
GRAND PRIX SERIES PRIZE MONEY
The breakdown of prize money to be awarded for the SPAR Women’s 10km GRAND PRIX SERIES can be viewed here.
RACE BIBS & LICENCE NUMBERS
All participants must wear a SPAR Race Bib on the FRONT and BACK of their vest/shirt, if 2 bibs are provided or a SPAR Race Bib on the FRONT of their vest/shirt if only 1 bib is provided. The SPAR Race Bib must only be placed over the numeric portion of the ASA Licence number. See ASA Rules. All participants are required to wear either a Provincial Licence Number or a Temporary Licence Number. (NOT on the shorts – ASA/KZNA Rule). All race numbers are to be clearly visible.
SOUTH AFRICAN ATHLETES
South African athletes are defined as those runners eligible for selection to represent South Africa at international events.
FOREIGN ATHLETES
All foreign athletes must comply with World Athletics Rule 4.2, 22.1 & 142 and ASA Rule 9.
GENERAL
- NO personal seconding on route
- NO vehicles
- NO bicycles
TIMING
Your race bibs / numbers have an electronic timing chip attached. Please ensure that your FULL SPAR Race Bib is visible and not tucked into a crop top, shirt or pull-over.
LITTERING
ASA Rule 28.5 – World Athletics Rule 125 makes provision for a Race Referee to warn an athlete by showing a yellow card and exclusion by showing a red card; He (she) shall have authority to warn or exclude from competition, any athlete guilty of acting in an unsporting or improper manner or under Rule 162.5. warnings may be indicated to the athlete by showing a yellow card, exclusion by showing a red card. Warnings and exclusions shall be entered on the result card and communicated to the Competition Secretary and to the other Referees.
NOTE: Provincial Rules regarding littering may vary, please ensure that you are au fait with the Provincial Rules prior to competition.
APPEALS
An appeal to the Jury of Appeal must be made within 30 minutes of the official announcement of the decision made by the Referee, in writing, signed by the athlete or a responsible official on behalf of the athlete, and shall be accompanied by a deposit of R500, which will be forfeited if the appeal is not upheld.