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.
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).
- 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.