Competition Rules
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Ayling | Aug 22 2024, 8:41am | The IMRA Competition Rules have been updated. Please see the News Item on the homepage. Key changes: 1. Headphones (and equivalent devices) - not permitted while competing in an IMRA event. 2. Trekking poles - only allowed in long races, > 50 km. The rules can be found by clicking the Constitution button in the lower part of the screen on the IMRA site. Effective from today. |
| Gaelan Elliffe | Aug 23 2024, 12:03am | May I ask if a race listed as 50km is permissable? Thank you for the clarity. |
| Aoife Fitzgerald | Aug 23 2024, 10:32pm | I have to say, I find this rule change re poles very exclusionary and quite frankly elitist. This rule change will exclude a lot of people from a lot of races. I understand the safety concern in short course races. I would propose that the use of poles would be determinedby race difficulty at the discretion of the RD. |
| Miriam Maher | Aug 24 2024, 8:11am | Hi Gaelan and Aoife, Thanks for the query and feedback. Can I ask you to leave this with us? We will review the wording of the new rule on the use of poles to ensure full clarity with your comments taken on board. All the best Miriam |
| Maggie Lawler | Sep 6 2024, 8:52am | Is there a reason IMRA dont allow poles for distances less than 50km? How was that distace decided on and based on what information? Without clear rational it sounds like an attempt to exclude people who need to use them. |
| Andy owens | Sep 6 2024, 10:05am | Should be allowed on all open mountain races with hight gain of 500m or more. |
| Paul Smyth | Sep 6 2024, 10:08am | Many IMRA races take place on narrow trails and other types of restrictive terrain where poles are frankly inappropriate. I personally have been stuck behind a runner using poles in such a situation and where it effectively made it impossible to pass them. They were frankly oblivious to this and I eventually had to call out to them to let me pass. They were clearly unhappy about this. Can you explain what you mean by "need"? are you referring to someone with some kind of impairment, or merely that some people would "like" to use them? For very long races I can see the benefits to a runner of using poles, but, as they constitute a form of aid, in my mind it does raise the question of whether runners who use them should be counted in a separate category, from those who do not. |
| Walsh Rowan | Sep 6 2024, 1:59pm | I agree with you Paul, that there are many races where poles are not suitable, Short races with high participation as Aoife suggested may not be the optimum environment. Though I also agree with her that it should be at the RDs discretion. There are many races where poles should be allowed and there are a number of reasons:- Injury Risk: Every first aider should be happy to see runners on the mountains as they will help to reduce the risk of injury - https://worldathletics.org/download/downloadnsa?filename=7b0bbd18-a698-4caa-a399-1dfaf2e8985e.pdf&urlslug=running-with-poles-to-increase-training-effic First aid tool: They are extremely handy to use as a splint to immobilise an injury or as a crutch to get someone off the mountain Accessibility: Allowing poles ensures that all participants have the option to use them if they feel it will benefit their safety. Training: Many runners who use poles are trying to practice using them in race conditions for an adventure in UTMB, Transvulcania etc Efficiency: Poles, as we all know, can reduce reduce fatigue, allow for quicker ascents and improve energy conservation. This can be the difference between making a cut-off or not for many in the field over mountainous or ultra distances. But What About: Should those who use GPX watches or maps instead of the stars be relegated to a lesser category. It is a form of aid. What about trail runners instead of bare feet? What about food/water instead of foraging as you go? Crew?! The temerity! Basically, this ain't the Olympics or the Worlds, if people need a little help with getting around and it doesn't impede on others then relax! |
| John Oflynn | Sep 6 2024, 2:15pm | Hi As a runner with a hip injury I find the use of poles on long steep accents such as in the Galty crossing and reeks skyline are essential . These routes and others like them would be excluded to me by implementation of these new rules and as the shorter races don’t appeal to my ageing mind and body I find myself contemplating the awful prospect of not renewing my IMRA membership next year . Can someone please tell me where how and by whom this shortsighted and elitist decision was made |
| Paul Smyth | Sep 6 2024, 2:17pm | Telling me to "relax", just because I expressed an opinion contrary to your own is both condescending and insulting. |
| Walsh Rowan | Sep 6 2024, 2:28pm | I cannot control how you perceived the intent of the word relax, but it was meant neither to be condescending or insulting. It was meant in a light-hearted way, to emphasise that while there are different perspectives on the use of poles, we should remain open-minded to trying to reamain as inclusive as possible. The use of poles in most cases is not a high-stakes issue but rather a matter of preference and safety that doesn't need to cause tension. I apologise if it came across differently. |
| Maggie Lawler | Sep 6 2024, 3:03pm | John it looks like the IMRA committee have made this decision as per the 'News' website page. I am in the same situation, recovering from knee surgery and poles would be a necessity when I get back to running on hills. Obviously there are times when they need to be used with caution, or not at all, but a blanket ban on use for distances under 50km seems extreme. The Circuit of Avonbeg comes to mind. It looks like there are about 10 races over 50km distance, so this rule currently in place, excludes a lot of people from a lot of events. Paul, giving a runner ahead of you a heads up that you are trying to pass them is no big deal, if they are 'oblivious' to you being there. I'm sure they werent deliberately trying to slow you down, and were doing their best. |
| Miriam Maher | Sep 6 2024, 5:45pm | Good evening All, I am following up on my reply above from August 24th to let you know that the committee since reviewed the wording around the recently announced rule change over the use of poles in IMRA races. This rule change was made for safety reasons. We have considered the feedback provided and have clarified and amended the wording on this rule to now state the following: "For safety reasons given the varied nature of IMRA race routes, including early start and short course options, along with the numbers of participants, trekking poles are not allowed in races under 50 km. Exceptions to this rule will apply to distances more than 10k AND where the course elevation is above 500 m. Even in races where the use of poles are permitted, poles must be folded away in crowded situations such as the race start, or on narrow sections where other runners are trying to pass. The onus is on the user of the poles to use them safely and avoid injury to others." This amendment is effective immediately. Hope the weekend provides the chance to get out on the hills in whatever way works for you! Miriam |
| Aoife Fitzgerald | Sep 6 2024, 5:54pm | Thank you for the clarification Miriam. It's great to so the rules regarding poles have been relaxed. |
| Alicia Christofi-Walshe | Sep 11 2024, 4:01pm | It's good to see the rules relaxed to distances more than 10k AND where the course elevation is above 500 m. Can the committees look at allowing them on all races and distances? Poles can be a huge help for people with mobility issues, with varied abilities and they can help with confidence for those new to the sport. Even on short courses and non-technical terrain they can be really useful to some. We've found them to be a big assistance to runners who join us in both She Summits and Trail Criú. A great bit of kit to enable more people to get out trail running. |
| Brian Kitson | Sep 11 2024, 8:24pm | It would be better to leave the rule as it is for now. Poles worsen the impact runners and walkers have on vegetation and contribute to trail widening. They would also be a nightmare in any race where there is a high density of runners, especially when runners are climbing. |
| Maggie Lawler | Sep 12 2024, 8:04am | Brian, all of us are contributing to trail widening just by being on the mountain. It doesnt seem fair to single out pole users in this senario. Then why not start checking peoples shoes to see who has deeper lugs and ban them too if its a big concern. Rules like 'Keep poles folded away in high density areas and narrow trails. Not adhering to this rule will result in a penalty.' would act similar to the mandatory kit rule. Why carrying poles allowed in races under 10km, but not over 10km isn't clear. A reason from IMRA would be helpful and show an understanding of the members concerns. |
| Kristen O'Sullivan | Sep 12 2024, 10:36am | Personally I think runners using poles on short quicker races are a hazard, this is a sensible decision by the committee in my opinion. |
