BY REGISTERING FOR A FIT & ABLE EVENT, TEAM, OR ACTIVITY YOU CONSENT TO THESE POLICIES.

 

Important Notice

All policies applicable to Fit & Able Productions, Inc. ("Fit & Able") free and paid events, services, clinics, training groups and teams, seminars, consulting, and anything else Fit & Able provides or offers to public or private individuals, groups, businesses, or organization are listed on this page, except for anything in addition to these items described in any waiver, contract, or other document.  In the case of conflicting language or interpretation, this page supersedes any policies described on all other pages, posts, and events available on FitandAbleProductions.com.  By registering for or participating in, volunteering for, being a vendor or exhibitor at, or sponsoring any event or activity staged, presented, hosted, managed, or organized by Fit & Able all individuals, and/or their legal guardians, agree to these policies.

All Participants Must 

• Be knowledgeable and abide by all race event rules and policies, procedures, and guidelines. 
• Offensive, violent, or otherwise unsportsmanlike conduct toward race officials, volunteers, and fellow participants may result in disqualification and removal from the event venue. It may also impact a participant’s eligibility to participate in future Fit & Able events. Observation of unsportsmanlike conduct should be reported to a race official at the race site or by emailing info@fitandable.net. 
• Refrain from possession or use of alcohol, tobacco products, or controlled substances while participating in competition.
• Abide by and adhere to all applicable local, state, federal, and international laws.
• A participant is required to present a photo ID to claim their assigned bib number and timing ship during packet pickup. 

Event Updates

All information and updates will be posted on the relevant event sites.  It is each participant's responsibility to regularly check back with the main event page for the most recent information.  Pre-race and race-day instructions will be will be emailed to all participants the week prior to the race (provided a valid and working email address was given upon registration).  Fit & Able makes no guarantee that information updates, other than race-day instructions and postponement/cancellation announcements, will be emailed to participants and cannot guarantee that a participant's email service provider will properly deliver any or all emails sent to participants. 

All Events are Inclusive

All Fit & Able events are open to everyone of any age, skill level, and ability.  We want athletes, participants, and spectators of every kind: youths, juniors, adults, and seniors; novices and experts; families, friends, and individuals; and corporate, recreational, and professional teams are welcome.  For participants and spectators with disabilities, we will try to make reasonable accommodations to the event or activity to allow them to participate or spectate.  However, we are unable to alter buildings, facilities, or other structures or property to accommodate disabilities. If you or one of your party have a physical or developmental need that may require special accommodation please contact us at least one month prior to the event to discuss reasonable accommodations that may be available. 

Packet Pick-up

All participants must show a photo ID in order to pick up their race packets.  All participants must pick up their own race packet (including team members).  Minors must be with a parent or legal guardian, who must show a photo ID, to pick up their event packet. 

Event Check-in

All participants must check in by the time posted on the main information site and/or provided in the pre-race email.  There is no guarantee that late check-ins will be able to maintain their seed time or be able to participate.  Event starts are not delayed for people to check-in.

Results & Awards

We work hard to ensure that results are accurate and awards are given to the appropriate participants. However, this requires participants to do what they are instructed to do with regards to their bib numbers and timing chips. Improperly wearing bib numbers or securing timing chips may impact your finish results.

Bib numbers must be worn on the front of your shirt so that it is visible when crossing the finish line. Volunteers record participants' bib numbers in the order they finish as a backup results system. If the number is not visible on you at the finish line you may not receive a time if we must resort to the backup timing system. Do not put your number on a jacket or any other piece of clothing you may be removing during the race or tying around your waste. Do not put your number in your pocket.

Timing chips must be worn on your shoe and be attached securely with the two zip-ties provided at the chip pickup tent. Tightening the zip-ties too much may break the chip and you will not receive a time; not securing them tightly enough may cause the chip to fall off while running. Chips have limited read range with the timing mats: chips carried in your hand, pocket, or elsewhere above the knee will not read and you will not receive a time.

The default awards are as follows (some events may differ due to race type or client preference):

• 2 Mile, 3 Mile, 5K, 5.5K, 4 Mile, 8K, 5 Mile, 6 Mile, 10K, 6.5 Mile, 11K, 15K, 20K, 13.1, & 26.2:
  • Top 3 Male/Female Overall (Omega Sports gift cards)
  • Top Male/Female Age Group (Fit & Able gift codes)
    • 0 - 4, 5 - 9, 10 - 14, 15 - 19, 20 - 24, 25 - 29, 30 - 34, 35 - 39, 40 - 44, 45 - 49, 50 - 54, 55 - 59, 60 - 64, 65 - 69, 70 - 74, 75 - 79, 80 - 84, 85 - 89, 90 - 94, 95 - 99
  • New Male/Female Course Record (Fit & Able gift codes)
• Fun Run:
  • Top 3 Male/Female Overall (Fit & Able gift codes)
• Doubles & Teams:
  • Top 3 Teams Overall (Omega Sports gift cards)
• Lap Races:
  • Top 3 Male/Female Overall (Omega Sports gift cards)
  • Top Male/Female Age Group (Fit & Able gift codes)
    • 0 - 4, 5 - 9, 10 - 14, 15 - 19, 20 - 24, 25 - 29, 30 - 34, 35 - 39, 40 - 44, 45 - 49, 50 - 54, 55 - 59, 60 - 64, 65 - 69, 70 - 74, 75 - 79, 80 - 84, 85 - 89, 90 - 94, 95 - 99
  • Top Male/Female Fastest Split (each split)
  • New Male/Female Course Record (Fit & Able gift codes)

* No Double Dipping: overall award winners do not also receive age group awards. 

* Age Groups: A participants age for results purposes is calculated as of December 31st of the race year rather than age as of race day. This helps keep participants in the same age group across all events in our annual race series. 

Results are final as of 48 hours following the event. No further amendments will be made to the results after that period. Results will be updated only if the suggested correction can be reasonably verified by either the main or backup timing system or photo or video records from the event.

Age of Participation Requirements

Marathon: Minimum age requirement will be 18 years of age on race day.
Half-marathon & 20K: Minimum age requirement is 16 years of age on race day.
Under 20K distance: No minimum age requirement. 
Marathon Relays: The participation of any runner under the age of 12 is strongly recommended to comply with the following considerations:

• They have previously run the distance they are about to experience on one or more occasions
• They will have an adult (must be a registered runner) companion to assist with transit in and away from the Relay Exchange Zones
• They will have an adult companion to assist with any transit on the relay shuttle system.
• They will have an adult companion to assist with transit to and from the race start and finish areas if the child is to run the first or final leg of the relay event.
• Allow the child to carry a cell phone on the course and utilize the RaceJoy runner tracking app to monitor the progress and location of the child while on the course.

REFUNDS, TRANSFERS, Deferrals, or EXCHANGES

FIT & ABLE’S PEACE OF MIND GUARANTEE!

After registration all sales are final and there are no refunds. Participants may SWITCH to the virtual race, DEFER to next year’s race, TRANSFER to any Fit & Able race (of similar or shorter distance) before then, EXCHANGE with another runner, or CONVERT to a donation upon request FOR ANY REASON up to 48 hours prior to the in-person race.

If the in-person race is unable to occur FOR ANY REASON up to 48 hours prior to the in-person race date the event WILL NOT BE CANCELLED entirely. All participants will be switched to the virtual race but may DEFER, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, or CONVERT upon request up to the 48 hour deadline.

If the in-person race is unable to occur FOR ANY REASON within 48 hours of the in-person race all participants will be switched to the virtual race. No other registration options are available. Refunds are not available. If you have questions please contact us at info@fitandable.net.

• The Fit & Able Peace of Mind Guarantee policy does not apply to participants who have received complementary or waived entries. Those entries must remain with the race they were designated for. 
• TRANSFER: A participant may request to transfer their registration from one race to another by using the registration fee paid for one race as a credit toward a future race within one year (eg. a Sole Mates 2022 registration can be transferred to any other race up to the Sole Mates 2023). This policy applies to any Fit & Able-owned event and some Fit & Able-managed events. The credit is calculated as event for event, not dollar for dollar.
• Differences in registration fees from the original registered race to the new registered race at the time of the transfer due the scheduled EARLY, REGULAR, or LATE pricing tiers are cause for neither a refund or additional charge for the difference in registration fees. 
• The credit amount consists solely of the registration fee; processing fees and any purchases, add-ons, or donations are excluded.
• A participant may not split the credit among multiple races; credit is only allowed for a single future race unless otherwise specified at Fit & Able's discretion.
• A participant currently registered for more than one race at the same time cannot combine credits from both races toward a single future race.
• Credits may only be used toward races for which participant is not currently registered and may not be applied retroactively as a refund.
• Once a transfer is complete, the participant is withdrawn from the original race they were registered for and are not eligible for any souvenir items or benefits included with the original registration.
• DEFER: A participant may request to defer their registration if they want to transfer to the same race the following year (eg. deferring from Sole Mates 2022 to Sole Mates 2023) and registration for that race is not currently open. Deferrals will be completed once registration has opened for the following year’s race.
• Participants may defer their registration for up to one one year only (eg. deferring from Sole Mates 2022 to Sole Mates 2023).
• Registration transfer or deferral credit must be claimed during the online pre-registration period and may not be used for race day registration.
• EXCHANGE: A participant may request to initiate a registration exchange with another person who can make use of their original registration. Upon request the exchangee will be sent an automated email to claim the registration by providing their own personal information. The exchangee must claim the registration by the time online pre-registration closes. 
• CONVERT: A participant may request to convert their registration fee into a donation to Fit & Able. The donor will be sent a donation recognition letter following the race. 

* Requesting a Change: Participants make may request a change to their registration by contacting us at info@fitandable.net. 

All Events are Recreational

Unless otherwise stated for a specific event, all events are recreational and noncompetitive.  A noncompetitive, recreational event is organized and run by volunteers, employs hand-timing equipment, and does not provide awards for overall or age-group winners or participants. Non-recreational events will indicate that they are chip-timed races with results posted online and what awards are available for each race. 

Equipment is Your Responsibility

Athletes and parents of minor athletes must make sure their clothing, shoes, gear, and other equipment is appropriate and properly maintained for the event they are entered into.  Fit & Able will not provide equipment to athletes who do not possess the necessary equipment for their event or who have lost or broken their equipment at an event.  Fit & Able reserves the right to disqualify a participant from the event if their equipment is poorly maintained, inappropriate for the event, provides an unfair advantage, or endangers other participants.  Neither lack of equipment nor disqualification due to inadequate equipment are grounds for a refund (see the refund policy below).

Start Time & Delays

Provided there are no delaying factors, all events and races will start at the posted start times.  Start times are posted on the specific event's information page and will be included in the pre-race instruction email as a reminder.  All participants must be at the starting line, or other designated area, at the appointed time in order for the event to begin on time.  Late arriving participants may be allowed to start the race but no time adjustments in the results will be made for participants who start the race late.

We work hard to ensure the event starts on time but occasionally factors beyond our control delay starting the event.  For safety reasons, we will not start the event until the course marshal or traffic control gives the all clear.  No delay in starting the event will materially affect the times or experience of any participants.  Reasonable delays are not grounds for receiving a refund (see the refund policy below).

Course Measurement & USATF Certification

The purpose of the USATF course certification program is to produce road race courses of accurately measured distances. For any road running performance to be accepted as a record or be nationally ranked, it must be run on a USATF-certified course.

We plan our race courses using online mapping tools and then measure the course using calibrated measuring wheels, bike computers, and other tools. We work hard to ensure that course distances are as accurate as possible and that they are marked clearly on race day. Actual distance run may differ slightly from posted distance if the course was not run exactly on the same line we measured it. Please note there is always the risk that course markings may be moved, altered, or removed entirely by other people at the venue or severe weather. 

* Not all Fit & Able courses are USATF certified. Even certified courses may not match with your GPS device tracking or guarantee that participants ran the course as measured. 

USATF Event Sanctioning

A sanction is an official designation issued by a National Federation or local Association, which approves and licenses the holding of a competitive sporting event in the United States. The sanction is also a contract, which evidences the event's commitment to follow national and international rules and regulations of the sport and to provide a safe environment for the participants and spectators. Once the event has satisfied the sanction requirements, the event's application for sanction is approved. Benefits of sanction may include but are not limited to: increased prestige, insurance options, promotion, record validation, offers and discounts, and arbitration to name a few.

* Not all Fit & Able events are USATF sanctioned.

Food & Beverage

Fit & Able Productions, Inc. will provide food and beverage appropriate for each event.  Water coolers with a limited supply of cups will be available in appropriate points along the course and at the finish line.  Appropriate snacks will be provided to participants after their race.  Other food and beverages may not be free at all events.  At events where food and beverages are for sale, proceeds from those sales go to support the costs of the event.  Participants and spectators should always bring their own water and other refreshments to ensure they have what they need to perform their best and enjoy the event. As much as possible food and beverages will be available in individually wrapped servings.

Event Souvenirs

Not all event registrations include a complimentary t-shirt, giveaway, medal, gift, or other race souvenir.  Items included in a registration will be indicated on the race information page. For those events where these items are not included, they may be available to purchase separately. Where shirts are included with registration or available for purchase separately, not all sizes listed may be available for the final shirt ordered; if any sizes are not available, then the next smallest size available will be provided instead (eg. if a Youth Large is not available, then an Adult Small will be provided).

Shipping is not included for any items purchased separately unless you are registered for a virtual race; all virtual race packets will be shipped the week following the in-person race. In-person race participants will receive their items on race day. If you aren't registered for any race and want items you bought shipped to you, please make a $10 donation to Fit & Able (put "Shipping & Handling" in the 'Message to Race' field). If a registration is transferred, deferred, exchanged and items were purchased separately, there are no refunds for those items. The participant may either retrieve those items at packet pickup, pay for shipping, or get a credit towards a future registration or purchase. 

Athletic Trainers & Medical Services

Fit & Able Productions, Inc. alerts local EMS and other emergency services to our events to ensure the quickest response time in the case of a medical emergency.  EMS may not be present at every event site. When appropriate, certified athletic and medical trainers are on hand to assist injured participants at a designated medical tent near the finish line.

Refunds Due to Orders

If any active duty service-member registers for a race and subsequently receives orders that prevent them from attending the race, we will refund your registration fees 100%, including race extras, up to 14 days before the event. Proof of active duty status required.

Online Registration Service Charge

Fit & Able Productions, Inc. currently uses a third-party online event registration system.  The online registration service charges each registrant a NON-REFUNDABLE nominal service fee proportional to the registration fee they are paying.  You can see current service fee pricing here: https://runsignup.com/Pricing. Fit & Able Productions, Inc. does not receive this service fee and will not refund that amount for any reason. Credit card processors also charge service fees which may be passed on to the customer with race day charges as well.

Online registration services and credit card processors also charge a service fee when refunding a participant's payment for registration, donations, or store orders. The fee is typically $1 per refunded transaction. Registrations, donations, and store orders are considered separate transactions and cannot be refunded together. If Fit & Able Productions, Inc. in its discretion does offer a refund, the amount the participant will receive is the amount of the registration, store order, or donation (not including the initial service fee) less the refund service fee.

If refunds are otherwise offered for any reason, donations made by any participant being refunded for registration fees or store orders will still be passed on to the donee nonprofit organization on behalf of that participant. Fit & Able Productions, Inc. only facilitates donations through the online registration system and cannot refund money given to another organization. If any participant wants their donation refunded they must request it directly from the organization they donated the money to.

Membership fees (USA Triathlon, USA Track & Field, etc.) required for participation in any event or program, whether paid through the online registration system or separately, are non-refundable. Fit & Able Productions, Inc. does not receive these membership fees and will not refund that amount for any reason. If any participant wants their membership fee refunded they must request it directly from the organization they paid the membership fee to.

Waiver

All participants must sign Fit & Able Productions, Inc.'s Liability Waiver and Release form.  The waiver can be signed during online registration but participants may also need to sign a hardcopy at packet pick-up or check-in. Depending on the event, additional waivers may be required as well. Adults may not sign waivers for other adults but parents and legal guardians may sign waivers for their minor children. PARTICIPANTS WHO DO NOT SIGN THE REQUIRED WAIVERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT.  No refunds are available for participants who refuse to sign the waiver (see the refund policy above).  The waiver is fully reviewable on any online registration form before signing it. 

GPS Devices

All participants are welcome to track their run with a GPS device. HOWEVER, GPS devices are not perfectly accurate! We measure all our courses with a calibrated measuring wheel tangent to tangent, which means we measure every foot of the course according to the shortest possible distance. GPS devices consistently deliver results that are shorter and longer than our measured distance.  GPS devices are also subject to interference from trees, cloud cover, weather, buildings, bridges, and other things that may obstruct a clear signal between GPS satellites and the tracking device and affect the distance measured. Variations in distance based on a GPS device are not grounds for official time adjustments or refunds.  The official USATF (our sanctioning body) policy on GPS is provided below:

​USATF/RRTC Position on GPS used by runners
Effective June 6, 2014

GPS devices work by receiving signals from satellites. The quality of different GPS units can vary, but all of them can be affected by conditions such as buildings in urban environments or heavy overhead tree cover that interfere with reception of the satellite signals and can cause them to be inaccurate.

Race courses Certified by USATF are measured by a proven method that incorporates the calibration of measuring devices against a steel tape and are verified by multiple measurements.

Race courses are measured along a well-defined path called the “SPR”—the Shortest Possible Route that a runner can possibly run. Most runners don’t actually run the SPR, so the distance recorded by their GPS device will usually be longer than the certified length of the course, even though the course was properly measured along the SPR according to USATF rules.​

Medical Care 

Raleigh Orthopaedic will have a trainer near the finish line to treat common running-related injuries and illnesses, and to begin stabilization procedures for severe problems. The medical staff are first aid and CPR certified, with access to first-aid items as well as direct access to advanced life support. Depending on available transportation runners who drop out of the race will be taken to the finish area. Any runner who requests assistance will be evaluated in the medical tent and treated based on our protocols for runner medical care. The medical team may authorize transportation to a nearby hospital in case of serious injury or illness.

Responsibility for any medical costs incurred by a participant in connection with any element of his or her participation in a Fit & Able race, including, without limitation, any and all costs associated with the transport, care and treatment of the participant are the exclusive responsibility of the participant. Participants are responsible and assume liability for any and all medical expenses incurred as a result of training for and/or participation in the event, but not limited to ambulance transport, hospital stays, physician, and pharmaceutical goods and services. 

* No media, family or friends of ill or injured runners are allowed in the medical tent or area because of privacy, confidentiality, biohazard and crowding issues.

Impaired Runner Policy

Medical team members are authorized to remove from the race course any runner deemed medically impaired without an automatic disqualification. To be allowed to continue the race, a runner must:

• Be able to proceed in a straight path toward the finish line
• Be able to explain who they are, where they are on the course, and what they are doing
• Look clinically fit to proceed with good skin color and body appearance
• Be able to maintain a reasonable running posture

Downed Runner Procedure

When a runner is in distress during or immediately after the race, the medical team will assess the runner’s medical condition, provide appropriate medical treatment and advanced life support per their professional discretion, as well as transfer the participant to a medical facility if needed (the participant is responsible for paying for any transportation expenses). On the course, a fellow runner is most likely to be the “first on scene.” Fit & Able will give a complimentary and guaranteed registration for next year’s race to a runner who helps a fellow runner in a time of need. This is titled our “runners helping runners” policy. All of our course volunteers have a central number that they can call to alert the medical team of an emergency problem on the course.

Participation of Disabled Athletes in Fit & Able Events

Disabled athlete participation is welcomed at all Fit & Able events. Unless otherwise indicated, all participants at Fit & Able events will compete together in the main competitive categories. 

* Not all Fit & Able events may be suitable for wheelchair competition due to course or terrain features beyond our control or ability to modify. Wheelchair participation is up to the participant’s discretion. Our ability to retrieve stranded wheelchair participants may be limited if not impossible on some courses. Advance notice is required for appropriate safety and planning. Please contact Coach at Alisa at alisa@fitandable.net.

For all competitors in Fit & Able events, including those participating through the Disabled Athlete Program: All competitors must be able to complete an event within the advertised time limit. If there are midway (turn-around-point) time limits or course closure deadlines, all competitors must be able to complete their chosen distance in the allotted time limit.

• Pushrim Wheelchair Competitors: A wheelchair athlete for the purposes of USATF LDR Road Racing is defined as any person with a significant and permanent physical or motor deficiency requiring the use of a pushrim wheelchair (not a handcycle) to compete. Able-bodied individuals may not participate in the Pushrim Wheelchair Division. Rules and regulations for wheelchairs will be based on the International Paralympic Committee’s regulations.
• Handcycle Competitors: In addition to Pushrim Wheelchair competition Fit & Able offers Handcycle competition at our events. Able-bodied athletes with a temporary or permanent physical or motor deficiency may participate in the Handcycle program.
• Duo Team Competitors: Defined as one able-bodied competitor pushing a permanently disabled partner in a customized racing wheelchair. For Fit & Able events, both team members must meet the minimum age on race day for their race distance and both partners must be registered participants. Duo Team participation is not permitted for the VCM Relay. For RVT youth events, the able-bodied competitor may be any age. For other RVT events, both team members must be at least the minimum age the event registration requires.

Duo Team Competitor information

• Teams pay one team entry fee or individually depending on the event. Both team members must register and sign the race waiver. For events greater than 10 miles, a competitor may use up to 2 guides during the course of the event with an exchange location located at the mid-point of the race or another area so designated by race management. A competitor may use only 1 guide at a time.
• Fit & Able must be informed prior to the opening of packet pickup that a Duo Team accommodation is being requested.
• Team members must wear approved bib numbers or other identifying items as assigned by race management.
• Team members will receive a race shirt (if included in the registration fee) and team members will receive a finisher’s medal or other item if the race is giving finisher medals.
• Fit & Able does not currently offer a separate Duo Team division for awards in any of our events. The able-bodied competitor shall be eligible for overall or age group awards based on his or her performance.
• Visually Impaired Competitors: Athletes whose impairment would fall into the IPC Classifications for T11, T12 and T13 may participate with the assistance of guides.  For events greater than 10 miles, a competitor may use up to 2 guides during the course of the event with an exchange location located at the mid-point of the race or another area so designated by race management. A competitor may use only 1 guide at a time. 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.
• The Visually Impaired Competitor must provide his or her own guide(s). Fit & Able does not currently offer a separate Visually Impaired division for awards in any of our events. The competitor shall be eligible for overall or age group awards based on his or her performance. The guide shall be eligible for overall or age group awards based on his or her performance if the guide completes the entire course. Visually
• Impaired Competitors and their guides may compete in the Relay Division if available.
• Mobility Impaired Competitors: Athletes with a physical disability that affects their ability to ambulate and qualify within the IPC Classifications may participate with the assistance of guides.  For events greater than 10 miles, a competitor may use up to 2 guides during the course of the event with an exchange location located at the mid-point of the race or another area so designated by race management.
• A competitor may only use 1 guide at a time. Use of prosthetics and accepted assistive devices such as crutches will be disclosed prior to the race and will be subject to approval by the race organizers. The
• Mobility Impaired Competitor must provide his or her own guide(s). Fit & Able does not currently offer a separate Mobility Impaired division for awards in any of our events. The competitor shall be eligible for overall or age group awards based on his or her performance. The guide shall be eligible for overall or age group awards based on his or her performance if the guide completes the entire course. Mobility
• Impaired Competitors and their guides may compete in the Relay Division of if available.

Use of Guides for Visually Impaired or Mobility Impaired Competitors

• Both athletes and guides must register and sign all appropriate releases.
• Fit & Able must be informed 2 weeks prior to race day that a Competitor will be using a guide(s) and must have the contact information for the guide(s).
• Guide(s) must wear approved guide bib number(s) or other identifying items as assigned by race management.
• Guide(s) must participate on foot, and may not use a bicycle or other means of transport while serving as a guide.
• Guide(s) may not propel athletes forward.
• Both the athlete and the guide(s) will receive a race shirt (if included in the registration fee). If both the athlete and the guide complete the entire race, both will receive a finisher’s medal or other item if the race is giving finisher medals.

Technical Notes related to the Disabled Athlete Program:

• Fit & Able will provide all bicycle escorts and course monitors as deemed appropriate for any event. No athletes, disabled or able-bodied, may provide a personal bicycle escort unless approved by race management.
• Course changes or modifications may be in place at certain events to facilitate a safe and fair race for all competitors.
• Athletes competing in any of the Disabled Athlete Program divisions may be started at a different time and/or place than the bulk of the field. Race management may also choose to start Disabled Athlete
• Program competitors with the bulk of the field.
• Fit & Able does not provide on course mechanical support for competitors in the Pushrim or Handcycle divisions.
• Individuals competing in a Pushrim Wheelchair or Handcycle must wear a helmet that meets current USATF requirements.
• Any individuals competing in the Pushrim Wheelchair, Handcycle, Duo Team, Visually Impaired, or Mobility Impaired divisions must identify themselves as such to race management prior to race day to insure race planning is appropriate for the pace of the race and the athletes’ needs.
• Fit & Able reserves the right to change or modify any elements of the Disabled Athlete Program at any time.

Wheelchair Athletes 

Racing Conduct

• No athlete may give or accept a draft from another athlete in another race being held concurrently on the same course and that is part of the same event. Also, women may not draft with men; men may not draft with women.
• No athlete may accept a draft from an outside source (i.e., bicycle, motorcycle, official vehicle, etc.).

Competitors who suffer a mishap may be assisted in remounting. Mechanical assistance to repair the wheelchair or wheels/tires shall be allowed. Only parts damaged or broken during the race in progress can be repaired or replaced. Assistance must be provided in a manner and location as to not impede the progress of other racers and must be provided in a manner so as to not impart pace or result in forward progress to the competitor.

A racer may be penalized for causing a crash or spill through inadequate maintenance or adjustment to his/her chair components including gluing of tires (subject to disqualification and possible suspension). Race chairs are subject to inspection before the race.

When in the proximity of foot runners, wheelchair racers must have sufficient control of the wheelchairs to yield the right-of-way to the foot runners. In every case, the ultimate right-of-way belongs to the foot runners. If approached and/or passed by an official race vehicle, the wheelchair competitor must move to one side of the road until the vehicle has passed. The failure of a wheelchair racer to yield right-of-way may result in disqualification and/or suspension. Once you have been passed by a lead vehicle, please be cautious in your forward progress during the race.

The use of a hard shell, approved helmet is required. Wheelchair racers not wearing a helmet will not be permitted to start.

All wheelchair athletes are required to display an official race number on either the wheelchair or the person. The entire number must be displayed throughout the race. Race numbers should not be trimmed nor should any part of the number be folded over or covered in any way. Wheelchair athletes covering or altering their numbers are subject to disqualification and/or suspension. Racers must also securely mount the official computer chip to the wheelchair. Computer chips will record official time. The loss of the computer chip will result in disqualification. No chip, no time.

Wheelchair Specs

• Wheelchairs shall have at least three (3) wheels.
• The diameter of the larger wheels, including the inflated tire, shall not exceed 70 centimeters. Other wheels shall not exceed 50 centimeters including the inflated tire.
• Only one (1) round push rim shall be attached to each large wheel.
• The chair and athlete in race position may be any length the athlete desires. However nothing may protrude past the furthest most point of the rear wheels (i.e., nothing can be used to block or push back athletes drafting behind you).
• The widest measurement of the wheelchair shall be a straight line measured from the outside edge of the push rim or the rear tire, whichever greater at the widest point. No part of the wheelchair may protrude beyond the width of this measurement.
• Propulsion and steering of the wheelchair shall be made by the hands and arms only.
• No gears, levers, chains, or any other mechanical devices may be used in propelling the wheelchair. No handcycles, handcrank bikes, recumbent cycles or crankchairs shall be permitted to race.
• There shall be no device as part of the wheelchair, with the exception of wheel covers, or the athlete that functions for the purpose of reducing air resistance.
• Athletes must ensure that no part of the lower limbs can fall to the ground during the event.
• An athlete’s wheelchair must be structurally sound (i.e., no cracks in the frame or welds, no loose or missing spokes, etc.).
• An athlete must be securely seated in the wheelchair and remain so while racing.
• It shall be the sole responsibility of the race officials to rule on the safety of the wheelchair and athlete.
• It will be the sole responsibility of the athlete to conform to all the aforementioned rules and no event shall be delayed while an athlete makes adjustments.
• No athlete may give or accept a draft from another athlete in another race being held concurrently on the same course and that is part of the same event. Also, women may not draft with men; men may not draft with women.
• No athlete may accept a draft from an outside source (i.e., bicycle, motorcycle, official vehicle, etc.).

Transgender Participation in Fit & Able Events

Athletes will be allowed to register and participate in any Fit & Able event with the gender (male or female) by which they identify.

Athletes who are competing for cash prizes in a USATF sanctioned event will be asked to comply with the current IOC transgender policies at the time of the competition. Fit & Able supports and accommodates the participation of Transgender athletes in a manner that is consistent with the policy of the sport’s national governing body – the USA Track & Field Association, who have adopted the program that has been put forth by the International Olympic Committee.  This policy states:

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Meeting in November 2015 agreed the following guidelines to be taken into account by sports organizations when determining eligibility to compete in male and female competition:

• Those who transition from female to male are eligible to compete in the male category without restriction.
• Those who transition from male to female are eligible to compete in the female category under the following conditions:
  
  • The athlete has declared that her gender identity is female. The declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four years.
  • The athlete must demonstrate that her total testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to her first competition (with the requirement for any longer period to be based on a confidential case-by-case evaluation, considering whether or not 12 months is a sufficient length of time to minimize any advantage in women’s competition).
  • The athlete’s total testosterone level in serum must remain below 10nmol/L throughout the period of desired eligibility to compete in the female category.
• Compliance with these conditions may be monitored by testing. In the event of non-compliance, the athlete’s eligibility for female competition will be suspended for 12 months.

* Unless a Fit & Able event serves as a national or international governing body championship or is otherwise a qualifying event for another race we will not request any form of documentation for compliance.

Bib Number

Every participant must run with the official bib number assigned to them and issued by Fit & Able at race day check-in. The bib number must be warn clearly on the front of the shirt, unobscured by jackets or other clothing, for backup timing and photo tagging purposes. Improperly worn bib numbers may affect a participant's results if there are issues with or they lose their assigned timing ship. 

BIB SWITCHING: Switching or selling an official bib number to another person is prohibited. Only the person assigned the bib number is authorized to participate with it, and no one else. If an official participant gives or sells their official bib to another individual for that individual’s participation, the person originally assigned the official bib will be disqualified from the race. The person identified as wearing the official bib is not an authorized participant and will not be eligible to be recorded or rewarded in any way. Fit & Able reserves the right to refuse to accept either or both individuals as official participants in the event or any event going forward. Participants are not allowed to fold, bend, or cover their official bib. No photo copying, duplication, manufacture, or replication of any official bib number is permitted under any circumstances. 

Sportsmanship

Any participant who refuses to obey the directions of any event official, city official, or course marshal; conducts himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner; or is offensive by action or language to officials, volunteers, participants, or spectators may be disqualified and/or removed from the event and prohibited from future participation at the discretion of race officials. 

Not Completing the Entire Course

Many races have numerous verification points along the course as well as video, photo, and other measures to ensure all participants properly complete the entire course distance. If it is deemed that a participant did not complete the entire course, the participant will not be eligible for awards and will be removed from the official results. 

Participants registered for a longer distance event are able to drop to a shorter distance event during the race if they need to so long as they notify the race timer at the finish line or another official on the course so that the final results are fair and accurate. Such participants will be eligible for the awards for the shorter distance race they switched to. Participants registered for a shorter distance event may not switch to a longer distance event during the race and must make that change, and pay the registration fee difference, at check-in prior to starting the race. 

Bandits

Bandits are strictly prohibited at all Fit & Able races. A bandit is anyone who participates in an event without registering and without a bib number. This is not only a safety issue as race officials are unable to identify bandits in the case of an emergency but also a drain on course resources for registered participants. If caught, bandits will be asked to leave the course immediately and may be removed by a public safety official. Racing as a bandit, or encouraging a bandit to race with a registered participant, may impact a participant’s eligibility to participate in future Fit & Able events and programs. 

Pacing

No participant in the race can be paced by a person not officially entered in the race, whether on foot or by any other means, including bicycles, mopeds, scooters, motorized vehicles, etc. This is unauthorized assistance and is grounds for disqualification. However, someone can be paced by another officially registered participant provided that both participants abide by all race rules. Fit & Able does not provide pacers for any race.

Indecent Exposure

Participants may not relieve themselves on private or public property, except in a public/portable toilet facility or otherwise inappropriate undress themselves in public. If a public safety official identifies such individuals, these individuals are subject to legal action based on trespassing and/or indecent exposure laws and ordinances as well as disqualification from the race. 

Email Subscription

Anyone who registers for a Fit & Able Productions event will automatically subscribe to our weekly newsletter but are free to unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link included in the email. Registering for multiple events may subscribe an email to multiple distribution lists that may need to be unsubscribed from separately. Registering for another event afterward being unsubscribed may or may not automatically re-subscribe them to the weekly newsletter. Please contact us if you wish to be unsubscribed from or resubscribed to our weekly newsletter.

(Updated 10/07/22)