MERRELL
DEUTER
BIX
GREGORY
PRESSIO
HOTELPLANNER
AIWAYS

THE RULES

CHAPTER I:
GENERALITIES

The Merrell Skyrunner® World Series (MSWS) is managed by SkyMan SA. MSWS is sanctioned by the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF).

In 2024, the SWS will be made up of 21 races in 13 countries on 4 continents.

Its objective is to establish who is the best Skyrunner in the World; a Skyrunner can face any mountain with technicality, speed, and intensity.

Sky Races are characterized by distance, elevation, altitude, climbing difficulty, and running all terrain including snow and glaciers.

CHAPTER II:
RACE RULES

The Series is officially sanctioned by the ISF.
As such, the SWS follows the ISF rules, with certain additional requirements as outlined below.

For the 2024 season, SWS shall feature two race statuses: SkyRace and the SkyMasters.

At each race, points will be attributed to the finishers. A different number of points will be awarded for SkyRaces and the SkyMasters. 

The maximum number of points an athlete can get in a regular season SkyRace is 5,000 (first place) – this includes a 25% bonus compared with second place (4,000). Places 3 through 20 are awarded 10% fewer points than the person ranked above them. For example, 3rd place is awarded 3,600, 4th place is awarded, and this continues to 20th place, who is awarded 600 points.

From 21st place to the final finisher, receives points based on time. For each minute after 20th place, points are reduced by 5. If someone finishes between 5 and 6 minutes after the 20th-placed runner, they would score 25 points less (or 575 points). From 20th place on, only time is considered, not rank – so multiple finishers could receive the same number of points if they finish within the same minute.

The SkyMasters is identical to this, except that it awards double the number of points. 

4.1. Overall
Athletes scoring points in any race will enter the Overall Ranking. Their best five results will count for the final ranking – this includes the SkyMasters. To qualify for the Overall Prize Money, athletes must have completed at least four (4) SkyRaces + the SkyMasters. 

The maximum number of races that count towards an athlete’s overall ranking is four SkyRaces®, plus the SkyMasters. The overall score of an athlete is made up of the highest number of points obtained from four (4) SkyRaces® and the SkyMasters.

4.2. Tie Break rules
If at the end of the season two athletes are tied, the following rules will apply until the tie is broken:

  • The athlete with the higher position at the SkyMasters.
  • In the event of cancellation of the SkyMasters and a tie between two or more athletes is in place, the ranking will favour the tied athlete who, at the event most recently attended by both athletes, finished above the other athlete with whom a tie is shared.
  • If neither athlete has competed against each other at the same Skyrace throughout MSWS24, the tie will remain. Prize money will be distributed and calculated according to the average of the two (or more) places a tie is shared. 

For example if two athletes occupy jointly 6th position, money will be distributed accordingly: 

Prize money for 6th: €1,250
Prize money for 7th: €1,000
Prize money distributed to both athletes: €1,125.
 

4.3. Under-23 Category
The minimum age for the U23 or youth category is 18 at the time of the race and the maximum age is 23, before the end of the year. 
 

The ranking will take into consideration the athlete’s best two race results plus the final. Athletes can only score points for the U23 category at selected YOUTH RACES. These races are official MSWS races, selected because they have less distance and elevation. The races awarding points for the U23 category are as follows:

  • Calamorro SkyRace
  • SkyRace des Matheysins
  • SkyRace des Gorges du Tarn
  • SkyRace du Mercantour
  • Cordillera Blanca SkyRace
  • 2Peaks SkyRace
  • Sagalassos SkyRace
 

The Final which will take place on the same weekend as the SkyMasters, will be a separate race with less distance than the SkyMasters.

4.4. Under-23 Tie Break rules
If at the end of the season two athletes are tied, the following rules will apply until the tie is broken:

  • The athlete with the higher position at the U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero Final.
  • In the event of cancellation of the Final and a tie between two or more athletes is in place, the ranking will favour the tied athlete who, at the event most recently attended by both athletes, finished above the other athlete with whom a tie is shared.
  • If neither athlete has competed against each other at the same Skyrace throughout MSWS24, the tie will remain. Prize money will be distributed and calculated according to the average of the two (or more) places a tie is shared. 

For example if two athletes occupy jointly 1st position, money will be distributed accordingly: 

Prize money for 1st: €1,500
Prize money for 2nd: €1,000
Prize money distributed to both athletes: €1,250.

At the conclusion of the Series, the first male and female competitors with the highest score will be declared: “2024 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series Champion”.

6.1. End of Season Bonus Pool

SkyMan shall distribute an “End of Season Bonus Pool”. This will be a total of €93,500 for the Overall Category, and an additional €6,500 for the youth category. 

 6.2. Eligibility

The End of Season Bonus Pool will only be distributed to athletes who fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
The athlete must have competed in and completed at least four races, and the SkyMasters (five races in total).

Prize money will be distributed within 90 days of the SkyMasters Final, following drug testing. In the event of a positive test, the athlete will not be eligible for prize money. 

To receive the end-of-season Bonus Pool prize money, all eligible athletes are required to be physically present at the prize-giving ceremony of the final race (SkyMasters).

Every race can have only one male and one female winner. Any perceived tie will be determined by a photo finish or other control system. If the photo finish shows a perfect tie, then the SkyMan Jury, and organization will make a final decision.

9.1. Finish line photo
The first two athletes must wait at the finish line area for the top five finishers for the “finish line photo”.

9.1.1. Winners’ obligation
The winner will be requested to wear an “SWS Winner Cap” supplied and branded by a sportswear manufacturer and/or wear an “SWS Winner Jersey”.

9.2. Official Podium
The top ten athletes of each race must attend the official podium / prize-giving ceremony.
Their presence is compulsory to receive the prize money.

To qualify for the SkyMasters, athletes must compete in and complete at least four (4) SkyRaces, finishing in the top 20 in at least one. The criteria for an invite is outlined below:

  • Be in the top-20 (man or woman) of a SkyRace or Premier SkyRace, and
  • Complete at least 4 Skyrunner® World Series races from the current season (i.e. 2024).
OR
  • Be in the top-3 (man or woman) of a nominated race in a Skyrunner® National Series country
  • Be in the top-3 (man or woman) of the final ranking of a Skyrunner® National Series
  • Finish top-3 (man or woman) in a Skyrunning Continental Championship
  • Finish top-3 (man or woman) in a Skyrunning World Championship.

CHAPTER III:
ENTRY AND REGISTRATION

SkyMan communicates directly with athletes via email. Athletes may also contact the Athlete Manager at SkyMan (athletes@skmn.ch) at any time. 

11.1. Individual event
All races of the Skyrunner® World Series are individual races.

11.2. Minimum age
It is open to any man or woman at least 18 years of age at their first SWS race of 2024. 

12.1. Limited entries
The organizers are entitled to limit the number of entries including Elite athletes.

12.2. Seeding
12.2.1. Eligibility

  1. Ranking eligibility
    The top athletes entering the race may be entitled to specific benefits. This will be determined by the Race Organizers and Skyman on a case-by-case basis. 
  2. Wild Cards
    In addition to the above, three men and two women will receive wild cards. They will therefore receive specific benefits independently of their ranking.


12.2.2. Benefits

  1. Free Entry
  2. Accommodation
    Two nights in a double or triple room, eventually on a sharing basis with another athlete(s) may be provided to certain athletes. This will be determined by the race organizers and SkyMan on a case-by-case basis. 


12.2.3. Obligations
Seeded athletes receive these benefits in return for providing the following:

  • Allowing their name and fame to be used in promoting the Series and individual races
  • Presence at the press conference / athlete’s presentation as per race organiser requirements
  • Starting the race
  • Presence at prize giving
  • Be available for pre/post-race interviews, etc.
  • Actively promote the Series on social media using the proper hashtags and handles. 
  • Accepting the conditions that will be delivered in an Agreement. 


12.3. Disengagement and no show
12.3.1. Disengagement
If after having registered, an athlete is unable to attend the race, they will have to immediately inform SkyMan via the Athlete Manager. 
If the cancellation takes place less than two weeks before the event, the athlete is required to provide a medical certificate justifying their withdrawal from the race.

12.3.2. No Show
Not showing up at the start for any reason without informing the organizer and SkyMan via the Athletes Manager will automatically result in a sanction.

12.3.3. Sanction
Unjustified withdrawals and no-shows will result in non-eligibility for the End of Season Bonus Pool.

CHAPTER IV:
COMPETITOR RULES

13.1. Equipment
Athletes competing in SWS will be required at all times during the race to carry:

Any equipment required by the race organizer

Failure to respect this rule will result in a penalty of 20 points in all rankings.

13.2. Obligation to wear a shirt
It is compulsory to wear a shirt (or similar) and shorts for the duration of the race.
Failure to respect this rule will result in a penalty.

13.3. Poles
The use of poles is subject to each organizer’s local rules.

14.1. Starting a race
An athlete that crosses the start line is reputed to have participated in the race.

14.2. Elite Start Box
Official SWS registered athletes will be entitled to start in the first wave.

Athletes can only receive aid from third parties in the zone around the official aid stations.
No other external aid will be accepted.
Failure to respect this rule will result in a penalty each time it occurs. 

16.1. Withdrawal from the race
Competitors may withdraw on their own initiative or be forced to retire by the Race Director or one of the medical staff present.

16.2. Disqualification
Athletes shall be disqualified for:

  • Not participating at the awards ceremony without just cause
  • Refusal to undergo anti-doping tests or a positive result in an anti-doping test.

Attention is drawn by the organizers to respect the integrity and ethics of the sport. Competitors shall abstain from any doping practice.
The list of forbidden substances and methods (in competition) is according to WADA in force at the time of the competition.
The organisers reserve the right to conduct anti-doping tests. Competitors must accept to submit to such tests.

18.1. Series Management
The SWS is managed by SkyMan SA and is responsible for:

  • Enforcing the Specific SWS Rules & Regulations
  • Acting as Jury for SWS R&R Protests
  • Distributing the End of Season Bonus Pool prize money.


18.2. Final Decision
Any decision made by SkyMan in relations to these rules shall be final.

Each competitor must have personal insurance against accidents and any damage.

SkyMan SA is an independent entity from any organiser.

  • Competitors take part in a competition under their sole responsibility and at their own risk. Competitors waive any claim or recourse against the organizers and SkyMan SA, whatever the damage suffered.
  • In case of accident, any liability of the organizers and SkyMan SA, their officers, employees, agents, auxiliaries, volunteers is expressly excluded to the full extent permitted by law.
  • Each competitor expressly allows the organizers and SkyMan SA, as well as its licensees and co-contractors, such as media and sponsors, to use images and film of the competition, including the preparation and follow-up phases, where they could appear in the context of their participation in a SWS race, on any medium, including promotional and/or advertising documents and without limitation in time and space.
  • Participation in the competition does not confer any right to use the race and/or the Series for promotional or commercial purposes. Any communication on the competition or use of images of the race is forbidden subject to an express and written authorization from the organizers and /or SkyMan SA. Skyrunner® World Series is a registered trademark.

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