1.

____

The race date and location have been selected to minimize conflicts with other races or events (circuit only).

2.

____

Race purpose, financial goals, size, and target are clearly defined.

3.

____

Pre-race, race day, and post-race checklists have been prepared which include required tasks and due dates and assigned personnel.

4.

____

Equipment and supply requirements and their sources are listed.

5.

____

A detailed budget exists, listing all projected sources of revenue and expenditures. For races benefiting charities, the percentage of total receipts which is donated is available upon request.

6.

____

The appropriate departments in all local governments and public utilities, in municipalities affected by the race, have been contacted and required permits obtained to ensure availability of public streets (i.e., police, public works, forestry, sanitation, streets, water, parks, schools, gas, electricity, telephone companies, etc.).

7.

____

Adequate liability coverage has been obtained.

8.

____

A race committee or staff exists with clearly defined areas of responsibility and adequate authority to complete assigned tasks.

9.

____

All key personnel and volunteers receive specific training or instructions related to their functions prior to race day.

10.

____

Registration forms are sent to CARA for approval prior to printing.

11.

____

Registration forms are available at least six weeks prior to the race.

12.

____

The following information is provided in the registration forms and optionally in other promotional materials (mark an "x" before each item as it is included in the registration form):

____ race location

____ date

____ distance

____ time

____ contact phone and address

____ water/aid stations

____ course description

____ split times

____ limitations on registration or premiums

____ exact registration times and locations, including race day

____ CARA age groups (circuit only)

____ runner premiums/awards – when and how will awards be distributed

____ how runners can obtain results

____ parking and transportation information

____ status as a CARA Circuit or Registered race, and a brief explanation of it

____ discount for CARA members

____ space for entrant to list CARA member #

____ CARA Circuit or Registered logo; Chicago Runner/Chicago Athlete logo

____ CARA Circuit sponsor logos, where applicable

____ volunteer opportunities

13.

____

A blurb promoting CARA membership is included in the entry form.

14.

____

The responsibilities of all sponsors are clearly defined and what they will receive in return is specified.

15.

____

Race management records and/or procedures manuals are preserved from year to year and passed on to subsequent race directors.

16.

____

Course design minimizes traffic congestion and allows access to local businesses, residences, and community services.

17.

____

The race start time is appropriate for the time of year and length of the course, and is set to avoid running during the heat of day in summer.

18.

____

The course has received or applied for USATF course certification (this is not the same as sanctioning).

19.

____

Marshals or direction signs/paint are located at each turn.

20.

____

The number of marshals is adequate to ensure that runners can follow the course safely and accurately. Police should not be used as marshals.

21.

____

Police or adult marshals are located at busy intersections to direct traffic.

22.

____

Each mile point of the race is clearly marked.

23.

____

A digital clock, or a person calling out split times loudly and clearly, is located at each mile point of a 5k race, and at least every other mile in races longer than 5k to allow a runner to maintain an accurate pace throughout the race.

24.

____

There is a lead vehicle, with a driver or passenger familiar with the course, that follows the course exactly.

25.

____

There is a vehicle following the last runner/walker.

26.

____

The course is closed to all traffic, or there is a clearly marked lane for runners. If possible, parking is prohibited on streets that are to be used for the race course.

27.

____

Race entry forms and other race information clearly state that bicycles, in-line skates, roller skates, scooters, and other wheeled vehicles are not allowed on the course. Baby strollers, if allowed, must start after the runners and remain behind the runners the entire distance. Dogs are not allowed on the course.

28.

____

A system exists to communicate with race personnel on the course, with the ability to summon medical assistance on the course.

29.

____

Registration forms include full name (with middle initial), address, phone number, age, sex, and date of birth.

30.

____

CARA members receive at least a $2 discount on their entry fee in CARA Circuit races, and at least a $1 discount in CARA-Registered races.

31.

____

Registration forms contain a liability waiver which must be signed. If the athlete is under 18 years of age, a signature from the athlete’s parent or guardian permitting participation is required.

32.

____

"Chicago Area Runners Association" is included on the liability waiver, spelled out, not abbreviated.

33.

____

Separate tables or lines exist for pre-registered runners and for race day entrants.

34.

____

If team competition is available, separate tables or lines exist for team registration.

35.

____

Registration closes at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the race.

36.

____

Race day registration policies are clearly stated in promotional materials if registration is limited.

37.

____

If there is no race day packet pickup, the race should deliver bib numbers to each runner, at no expense to the runner, prior to race day.

38.

____

All runners receive a race number and four (4) pins, race instructions, information about post-race activity, and medical and aid station information.

39.

____

CARA Race Evaluation forms are sent to a random sample of finishers and returned directly to CARA for tabulation. (adopted January, 2002)

40.

____

If runners receive T-shirts, they are available in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes. Requested sizes are reserved for all pre-registered runners.

41.

____

T-shirts and other premiums are available for all pre-registered runners.

42.

____

CARA is given the opportunity to include CARA materials in all runner packets.

43.

____

Other CARA Circuit races are given the opportunity to place race entry forms in all runner packets.

44.

____

A course map is available to all runners.

45.

____

At least one functioning toilet (not including indoor toilet facilities) for every 50 runners is located at the race site for races 10 miles or longer or over 1,000 runners. At least one functioning toilet for every 75 runners for all other races. At least one hand-washing station is provided.

46.

____

Water stations are located at the race start and finish and at least every 2-1/2 miles on the race course. The frequency of water stations may be more for warm weather races and for races with large numbers of less experienced runners.

47.

____

Enough pre-poured water and cups are provided so that the last runner at each station and at the finish line has water available.

48.

____

Parking capacity equal to one half the number of runners is available. Directions to the parking areas and the starting line are provided.

49.

____

A secure area is clearly designated for runners’ gear, when appropriate. Factors to consider are: distance to parking, number of runners not traveling by car.

50.

____

An ambulance, hospital, or adequately staffed medical tent is located at the finish line.

51.

____

A hospital has been designated to which medical problems will be sent.

52.

____

The starting line is clearly marked on the ground by tape, paint, or chalk.

53.

____

Provisions are adequate to ensure all runners can hear pre-race instructions and the starting gun or horn (bullhorns are not sufficient).

54.

____

To avoid false starts, the method of starting is explained and a countdown is not used within 30 seconds of the start.

55.

____

A system is in place to ensure that faster runners are positioned in front of all other runners at the start; and that all other runners are positioned in accordance with their expected finishing time, with the slowest runners at the rear (circuit only).

56.

____

Runners and walkers are designated as such on the race entry form and are given different color bib numbers. Walkers are not timed, are not included in race results, and are not eligible for awards.

57.

____

Walkers and runners do not start simultaneously. Walkers are instructed to line up behind runners and have a separate, later start.

58.

____

All speeches by dignitaries, physicians, entertainers, sponsors, etc. and any other ceremonies are conducted before runners gathering at the start line.

59.

____

The start and finish areas are kept clear of non-participants.

60.

____

Start the race exactly at the advertised time, even if people are still waiting to register or pick up packets.

61.

____

The first 200 meters of the race maintains a constant width so runners are not funneled together.

62.

____

The finish line is clearly marked on the ground by tape, paint, or chalk.

63.

____

The number of finish chutes is adequate so no one is ever backed up in front of the finish line.

64.

____

Runners and walkers are directed to separate chutes.

65.

____

A digital clock is provided at the finish line to display runners’ finish times.

66.

____

Adequate means are provided to ensure accurate timing of each finisher.

67.

____

Manual backup of automated and computerized results, as well as a backup chronomix, is required for verification of the timing system.

68.

____

If an awards ceremony is held, it is within the following times after the start of the race -- 5k = 1:25; 8k = 1:50; 10k = 2:05; 10m = 2:55; Half-marathon = 3;35; Marathon = 6:20 – to recognize the top male and female finishers overall, and (in races of under 2000 finishers) by age division. If awards are not distributed on race day, they must be mailed to all winners in a timely fashion, at no cost to the runners.

69.

____

Age groups are as follows (circuit only): Male and female – 14 & under, 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, and 80 & over.

70.

____

Awards are given to the first three finishers in each age group. Overall winners do not receive age group awards, and are removed from the results for the purpose of determining age group awards. Overall winners are included in age group results for final reporting purposes.

71.

____

When a race of less than 10 miles is conducted in conjunction with a race of 10 miles or longer, awards are given to runners in the 14 and under category in the shorter race in accordance with these standards, even if the shorter race is not a Circuit race (circuit only).

72.

____

Individual race results are distributed to all participants or are available upon request at no cost to the runner. Results include name, time, and overall and age group place.

73.

____

Provide CARA with a table and space for the table and/or a tent, to distribute CARA and race information, including Chicago Runner/Chicago Athlete magazine.

74.

____

Provide CARA with the opportunity for a representative to speak at the post-race awards ceremony.

75.

____

Submit one copy of age group results to CARA within 24 hours of the race date, on computer disk or by e-mail. Include name, age, sex, hometown, finishing time, overall place, and age group place for all participants. Include overall winners in age group results.

76.

____

Send complete overall and age group results to the USATF Records Keeper at: Road Race Information Center, 5522 Camino Cerralvo, Santa Barbara CA 93111.

77.

____

FAX, e-mail, or deliver results on race day to the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and other appropriate publications.

78.

____

Provide CARA with a computer disk in ASCII format, or e-mail, containing the names and mailing addresses of all entrants in the race, with first and last names in separate fields, within fourteen (14) days of the race.

79.

____

Clean up all areas covered by the race and related activities.

80.

____

Prepare a post-race report, to remain in race organization files, and made available to current and future race organizers. Report should include summary and analysis of CARA and participant evaluations.

81.

____

Recognize all volunteers and sponsors in an appropriate manner.