World Athletics Label Road Races
IAAF Road Race Label Events are annual running competitions which have been granted recognition by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as being among the foremost competitions of their type.[1] The introduction of the awards was announced by IAAF General Secretary Pierre Weiss and Sean Wallace-Jones, the Senior Manager Road Running, coordinator of the IAAF’s Road Running Committee in 2007 following discussion at the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) Marathon Symposium, and they were given out for the first time prior to the 2008 season.[2][3]
Races are divided into three categories: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Label Road Races. Furthermore, they are divided into three types – marathon, half marathon, and other classic distances (e.g. 10 kilometres) – and, based on the criteria, the best races are awarded the Gold label. Amongst those to hold Gold Label status are all five annual races that make up the World Marathon Majors, the Athens Classic Marathon, and the World's Best 10K where Paula Radcliffe set the current 10K world record.[4]
Criteria
The criteria for whether a road race receives a Label designation is based on six general issues: race organisation, course timing and measurement, media services, quality of international field of runners, health and safety, and athlete equality.[5][6][7]
- The race must be organised in accordance with IAAF Competition Rules, the standards of the national athletics body, and must comply with all relevant local and national laws. The race must be organised in a way that minimizes ecological damage to the surrounding areas.[7]
- All courses must have been measured to IAAF/AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) standards and full electronic timing must be in place to provide split timing and final results.
- The event must be broadcast on a live or delayed basis on television within the country, or delivered to a good standard through online streaming. Gold Label races must be broadcast in a minimum of five countries, while Silver Label races must have live coverage available on a national broadcaster. A centre must be specifically provided for media personnel, and TV monitors and commentary facilities must be present for Gold Label races. The race organisers must have a dedicated website with published results and must hold press conferences to support the event.
- A minimum of five nationalities must be represented among the "elite" runners. At least five male and five female elite athletes must be competing in each race in the case of mixed races. "Elite" athletes are defined as those whose personal best within the 3 year period preceding the respective event has reached a standard set by the IAAF and published on the IAAF website.
- All traffic must be closed off from the race course at all times during the competition. There must be adequate medical provision for the number of runners at the race. A number of doping tests must also be carried out after each race in accordance with IAAF requirements.
- All prize money and bonuses offered should be equal, irrespective of the athlete's nationality or gender. However, race organisers are allowed to offer additional bonuses to competitors from the host country in order to boost local participation.
Whilst there is no limit to the number of marathons that may receive Gold Label status, the criteria will likely be adjusted to ensure the highest quality races only achieve this standard. IAAF awards "Golden Label Race" to Xiamen International Marathon. Xinhua. Retrieved on 2010-02-11.</ref> The Labels are granted on an annual basis and organisers must apply for renewal each year.[7]
Races
- Key
Gold Label
Silver Label
Bronze Label
- Note: All races have been granted label status for 2011[4]
References
- General
- IAAF Road Race Labels 2010 Regulations. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-02-11.
- Specific
- ^ Prague International Marathon Receives the Prestigious IAAF Gold Label for its Hervis Prague Half Marathon. Premier Marathons (2009-11-04). Retrieved on 2010-02-11.
- ^ AIMS Marathon Symposium - Coming back to the roots, speaking about the future. IAAF/AIMS (2007-11-03). Retrieved on 2010-02-11.
- ^ IAAF awards Gold and Silver Labels for Road Races. IAAF (2007-12-20). Retrieved on 2010-02-11.
- ^ a b IAAF Road Race Label Events Calendar. IAAF (2010). Retrieved on 2010-02-11.
- ^ Prague Half-Marathon Gets IAAF Gold Label Tag. Track and Field News. Retrieved on 2010-02-11.
- ^ Three Indian road races get IAAF ‘Gold Label’ . The Hindu (2009-10-23). Retrieved on 2010-02-11.
- ^ a b c IAAF Road Race Labels 2010 Regulations. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-02-11.