Club Grand Prix
For those wanting some competition, we run a yearly ‘Grand Prix’ league from January to November, this has a number of divisions, with promotion and relegation taking place at the end of the season. This competition has the effect of giving people a focus to aim their efforts towards, and is keenly contested right down to the last division. Prizes are awarded to the winners at one of our numerous social functions held during the year.
The Grand Prix comprises of 12 races spread across the region, with points being awarded for finishing position within each individual league. In the last few seasons, the Grand Prix has been contested over an equal spilt of three categories; up to 10k / 10k to 10m / over 10 mile, to ensure that the winners of each division will be the best overall runners and not simply those who excel at one particular distance. There are 4 races in each category; with the scoring calculated from each individuals best six scores from the twelve races, but with a maximum of two scores from each category.
Rules
The format for the 2023 Grand Prix is a 12 race season with four races in each of three categories – up to 10km, up to 10 miles and above 10 miles. Participants are reminded that only their best two results from each category will count towards points (Maximum of 6 races). (Runners completing less than two races in any category will still be eligible to have their total scores counted in the Grand Prix, with any ‘missing’ races scored as zero points.) It is NOT expected that runners should aim to compete in all twelve races.
Points are awarded to all participants in each division.
The individual with the highest points total in each division at the end of the season will be deemed the winner and positioned in 1st place. The individual with the next highest score into 2nd place and the next highest score into 3rd place and so on. Trophies are awarded to the first 3 places in each division.
If two individuals in the same division tie on highest points they will be declared joint first and no second place will be awarded, likewise if there is a tie on points for second or third place the same rule would apply.
Due to participant request: for the purpose of Grand Prix scoring, if a race is being ‘chip timed’ it is the chip time not the gun time that is used to determine the Grand Prix order. However, if two individuals have exactly the same time then official finish positions will be taken into account.
To compete in the 2024 Grand Prix participants must be fully paid up, 1st claim affiliated Members of Blyth Running Club. (second claim or social members are not eligible to participate in the Grand Prix 2024). Any participant who has not paid their subscription fees by 1st April 2024 will not be eligible to participate in the Grand Prix and their name will be removed from the GP table deeming any points claimed from Jan – March null and void. Other participants in the same division will have their points adjusted accordingly.
All participants in the 2024 Grand Prix are required to wear club vests in all Grand Prix races.
All participants are also required to comply with all ‘local rules’ set by the organiser of each event. (Note that these rules will often include minimum age limits, which may result in some of the younger club members being unable to participate in some races). Members should also be aware that it is a UKA rule (for very good reasons, e.g. in case of accident or injury) that we must run only in our own name, and this rule also applies to the club Grand Prix. (It is legitimate to swap names in advance if the organiser approves and changes the name appearing in the results). For clarity, this rule will continue to be applied on the straightforward basis that for a result to count it has to appear in the official results against the name of the person who actually ran.
Failure to comply with the above requirements will render members subject to disqualification from the particular Grand Prix race and also subject to potential disqualification from the Grand Prix itself, dependent on the discretion of the Grand Prix Working Party (note for guidance: repeat offenders will be viewed in a particularly poor light). For clarity, if it is necessary to disqualify a member from a Grand Prix event all other competitors in that division will have their points adjusted accordingly.
Members are also expected to comply with good etiquette at all times and specifically must comply with all instructions from race organisers and marshals, must do nothing to adversely affect the good name of Blyth Running Club and should do nothing to either favour or adversely affect the performance of other Grand Prix competitors during races.
Where a participant has entered a GP race via the club entry the race fee must be paid in full prior to the race commencing or any potential points for that race will not count towards the GP.