Eventrac News

Services for Race Organisers

14 Sep, 2020 01:03 By:

Services for Race Organisers

Coronavirus Emergency

Although the government’s coronavirus restrictions are being relaxed there remain restrictions on social distancing.  England Athletics have recognised that, as they are the link to Sport England and DCMS, they should prepare and publish guidance for the trail discipline.  Pending that guidance, full trail running competition under UKA Rules remains suspended. 

However,  the TRA now has agreement from UK Athletics to permit "virtual" trail races from 1st August 2020.  UKA proposed a broad definition of the term "virtual" to include time trials over physical courses for socially distanced groups of runners.  Such groups can be started at timed intervals such that social distancing can be maintained along the full course.  See Virtual Permits for more information.

The latest EA guidance update can be found here:

https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-step-3/

This page has links to futher England Athletics and UK Government guidance.

The TRA supports this guidance, and urges all members, trail runners, and race organisers to follow the advice.

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RACE PERMITS

Introduction to the TRA Permit Process

Race Organisers of trail events taking place in England may obtain from the TRA a race permit granted under the authority of UK Athletics. (Race Organisers of trail events taking place in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland should apply through their National Association.)
 

To obtain a permit it is necessary to conform to UK Athletics Rules. Click here to download the latest rule book.

IMPORTANT:  Permit applicants must pay particular attention to RULE 141 S 5 UKA – TRAIL RUNNING which sets out the maximum distances permitted for younger athletes.  Permit applications will be declined if races that do not clearly state in their promotional material and on entry forms age limits that comply with this rule.

Maximum distances permitted under this rule are as follows:

Age under 12 years.	3,000m
Age 12-13 years.	5,000m
Age 13-15 years.	6,000m
Age 16	10,000m
Age 17	25,000m
Age 18-19	45,000m
Age 20 and over.	No maximum distance

The rules include the requirement that the organiser must impose, in addition to the basic entry fee, an additional fee of £2 (and no more) on every entrant in an open senior trail race who is 'unattached'. An unattached runner is one who is NOT a member of a UK Athletics affiliated club NOR a member of the TRA.  (Note that it is not necessary for a runner to be registered as a competitive athlete with their National Association for them to be classified as 'attached'.) 

Organisers should note that UK Athletics rules also require that running with dogs is not permitted. 

For further information about TRA race permits, see the Race Permits FAQ page.  All app-licants should read this before applying for a permit.

Race Permits must be applied for on-line - see below. Please allow sufficient time for the application to be processed (the TRA is run entirely by volunteers and we like to take a holiday from time to time). Each permit is valid for the named event and any supporting race on the same day at the same venue (long distance races may continue for than 1 day).

If you are using an on-line entry system please make sure that it applies the UK Athletics Rules correctly as regards attached and unattached runners for trail running. In particular, note that 'attached' entrants do not need to be registered with their National Association, and therefore England Athletics registration numbers are NOT required for entrants in trail races.

Requests for further details should be addressed to the Permit Secretary (permits@tra-uk.org).

Races granted a TRA Permit will be authorised to display the TRA logo on entry forms and other promotional material.  The logo may be copied from this page, or downloaded from here. (Note that the the copyright of the logo resides with the TRA, and it should not be altered in any way.)

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Important:TRA Grants

Race organisers may also apply for a TRA grant, to help purchase specific items of equipment needed to stage the race in successive years. Click here for more details.  When a permit application has been successfully approved, the on-line application system will send an automatic email confirming approval.  This email will also include a link to a simple form through which a grant application may be made.
 

On-line Permit Application Process

Permits can only be applied for using the on-line application process, using the link below.  Once your permit application has been completed you will immediately receive confirmation by email. Please take note of the permit number and use it in all communications with the TRA. When your permit has been authorised your permit will be sent by email to you - take note of the Permit Secretary's comments on the permit as it may affect your insurance cover. After the event, reminders to submit your race report and payment will be sent to you via email - just follow the instructions in the email reminders. To prevent emails being diverted to your spam folder please add permits@tra-uk.org to your contacts.

You will need to submit an electronic copy (pdf, or Word) of a risk assessment for the race.
IMPORTANT: Permit applications should, ideally, be made at least three months ahead of the race.  Permit applIcations made less than four weeks before the day of the race may be declined. 

 Click here to start your on-line permit application

Permit applications made since September 2017 require the applicant to set up an e-permit account, with a login ID and password. (TRA members should use their membership login ID and password.) Once an applicatnt has done for the first time, future applications are streamlined as the applicant's contact details are pre-populated on the form, and past permits (created since September 2017) may be copied and used as templates to create new applications.

The Trail Running Association welcomes feedback on the epermit process. If you wish to submit feedback please contact permits@tra-uk.org.

Please note: only events granted a TRA permit will be able to apply for a grant from the TRA.

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TRA RACE DIRECTORY

The TRA maintains an on-line directory of trail races that have TRA Permits. The benefits to event organisers are:

• It will make it easier for us to publicise your event within the trail running community.
• It will become eligible for selection as the venue for the UK Trail Running Championships

Every race granted a TRA Permit will be listed in the TRA Race Directory, unless the organiser opts for it not to appear when applying for the permit.