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Disabled Athletes

Participation of Disabled Athletes in RunVermont Events

Disabled athlete participation is welcomed at all RunVermont events. For the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, access for competitors who wish to use a Pushrim Wheelchair or a Handcycle will be through individual entry, not the relay competitions.

For all competitors in RunVermont 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 time limits, all competitors must stay within those limits at all times.

  • 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. Awards are available to the top male and female in the Pushrim Wheelchair divisions in the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon.
  • Handcycle Competitors: In addition to Pushrim Wheelchair competition RunVermont will offer Handcycle competition at our events. Able-bodied athletes with a temporary or permanent physical or motor deficiency may participate in the Handcycle program. Awards are available to the top male and female in the Handcycle division at the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon.
  • Duo Team Competitors: Defined as one able-bodied competitor pushing a permanently disabled partner in a wheelchair. For VCM, both team members must be at least 16 years of age on race day and both team members must be registered participants. Duo Team participation will be through individual entry, not the relay competitions. For RunVermont youth events, the able-bodied competitor and disabled partner may each be any age. For other RunVermont events, both team members must be at least the minimum age the event registration requires.
    • Duo Team Competitor information
    • Teams pay one entry fee in all RunVermont races. Both team members must register and sign the race waiver. Contact the RunVermont Registration Director for a team code. 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.
    • RunVermont 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.
    • Both team members will receive a race shirt (if included in the registration fee) and both team members will receive a finisher’s medal or other item if the race is giving finisher medals.
    • RunVermont 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). RunVermont 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 of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon.
  • 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). RunVermont 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.
    • Use of Guides for Visually Impaired or Mobility Impaired Competitors
    • Athlete pays entry fee. Guides do not pay an entry fee, but still must register and sign all appropriate releases. Contact the RunVermont Registration Director for a guide code.
    • RunVermont must be informed 2 weeks prior to raceday 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 using 1 guide and 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. If using 2 guides only the athlete will receive a finisher’s medal or other item if the race is giving finisher medals.

Technical Notes related to the Disabled Athlete Program:

  • RunVermont 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.
  • RunVermont 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 and the athletes’ needs are considered.
  • RunVermont reserves the right to change or modify any elements of the Disabled Athlete Program at any time.
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