Competition Information

Declarations/ Check-in times
The declaration and check-in tables for all track (running and walk) races will be located in the clerking area located at the north end of the East Grandstands.  It will open each morning at 6:30 am.

Failure to check-in by the times listed below will result in the athlete be scratched from the event.  Report early!!

Track Events of 1500m or less:  Athletes must declare their intention to compete at the declaration table at least 60 minutes before the scheduled time for each race (first round and final).

Track Events longer than 1500m:  Athletes must check-in at that clerk's table at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time for each race.

Field Events: Athletes must check-in at the event venue (i.e. high jump apron, throwing rings, etc.) at least 25 minutes before the scheduled time for each event.

Competition Bib Numbers
Athletes other than in the race walk are only required to wear the one number on the front of their top except vertical jump and throwing event athletes who can wear it either front or back. Athletes in competitions with mixed age groups must wear the age group bib with their number. Athletes in the Road Racewalk will have two competition bib numbers and they must wear both numbers (one on the front and one on the back) as well as their age group indicator bib on the back.

Advancement Procedures
Finalists if Foreign Athletes Qualify for Finals: At USA Masters Track & Field Championships, the athletes advancing to the finals in every event will be 2/3 USA affiliated as determined by WMA. If adjustments need to meet this requirement then the reduction in guest finalists shall be determined by performance with no consideration of place. Those USA affiliated athletes that were advanced to the finals by place shall retain their position and the additional USA affiliated athletes that will be added to the final shall be selected by performance with no consideration to place. The number of finalists shall not be increased to include additional non-USA affiliated athlete finalists. In practice this means that no more than 2 foreign affiliated athletes will be in any final since there will normally be eight finalists unless there are ties or successful protests..

Running Events: When preliminaries/first rounds are held, the top two or more runners in each heat/section will advance to the final {Rule 332.2(a)}.  The rest of the finalists will be selected on the basis of their time in the first round.

Throwing and Horizontal Jumping Events: When there are eight or fewer competitors, ALL shall be allowed six trials, even if none of the first three are fair. If there are more than eight competitors, each competitor shall be allowed three trials. The eight competitors with the best performances shall be allowed three additional trials.

Field Event Implements and Implement Inspection
Three competition-approved implement of every size and weight will be provided.  However, it is recommended that you bring your own implement and have it certified at the Implement Inspection area.  The Implement Inspection area will located on the practice track (near the shot put ring) .

Athletes wishing to use their own implements must submit those implements at least two and half hours before the scheduled start of their throwing event. That means the early morning throwing events and a throwing event in the Pentathlon starting before 9:30 a.m. will need to turn in their implements the evening before their event. Please check the schedule (see below) to see if your event requires this.  If an implement is being used in both the pentathlon and a regular event, please pick it up following the pentathlon and resubmit it before the regular event. If you don't, it will not be available for use at the regular event.

Implement Inspection will be open as follows:
Wednesday:              3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday - Sunday:   7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Pole Vault Poles
Pole vaulters need to bring their own poles or make accommodations to borrow them locally. You can ship your poles directly to the headquarters hotel (Doubletree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA 95815) who will store the poles for you until the competition. You are responsible for shipping the pole to Sacramento, getting the pole shipped out of Sacramento, as well as transporting the pole to and from the stadium from the Doubletree Hotel. The Local Organizing Committee has made arrangements to have a limited supply of poles available for rent at $5 per day. You will be required to sign a liability waver and a replacement guarantee if you damage the pole. The fee will go to the owners of the poles to cover their shipping costs. The list of available poles will be available at the packet pickup table. They will let you know where you can make your reservation for a particular pole and pay the fee.

Starting Heights (High Jump and Pole Vault)
Each age group will start at the minimum starting height listed in the tables below or at any progression above that, that all athletes agree upon. 

For example : M35 HJ age division may start at the listed 1.63, or 1.68, or 1.73, etc. if all competitors agree. The competition will then proceed with the progression listed. The starting height may be lower (with the same progression) if all competitors agree. For example: M35 HJ could start at 1.58 if someone requested and all competitors agreed.

When there are four, or less, competitors left in the competition at a new height, the progression will reduce to ‘Last Four’.  Example : When there are four or less left in the M35 HJ competition at a new height, the progression will reduce from 5 cm to 3 cm.

Spike Type and Lengths
Spikes are limited to 6mm or (1/4") in length which are pyramid, Christmas tree or compressions spikes. Spikes will be checked at venues and call room/clerking tent. No pin spikes are allowed on any of the surfaces. Spikes must conform to USATF rule 143.3 b and c. Clerks and Javelin officials need to make sure all athletes us only 1/4", 5 or 6 mm Pyramid or xmas tree spikes on the track or runways. If athletes don't have the correct length they can buy replacements from the VS Athletics booth at Gate 4 or wear flats.

Protests and Appeals
Any protest must be in writing and be made within 30 minutes of the event results being announced or posted at the Broad Field House site. Protests not made within that timeframe will most likely be denied. Once a protest has been decided and the result of the protest announced or posted, you have 30 minutes to file an appeal at the Game Committee table at the finish line. To file an appeal you must submit the written appeal with $100 fee. The fee is not refundable unless your appeal is upheld. Forms for both are available at the Technical Information Centeror the Masters Committee Table at the finish line.