Athletes with Disabilities rules

Participants may select to compete in the Athletes with Disabilities category.  Participants selecting this category must have an eligible impairment as listed by World Para Athletics.  Participation is available in the following categories for all of the virtual races (8K, 2-mile walk, or The Mile) and the 8-week Training Challenge:

• Wheelchair (all classes)
• Duo Team
• Ambulatory athlete with a disability

Wheelchair Division

• Participants may utilize a racing chair or a day chair.
• Participants may compete on a road, a track, or on rollers.
• Participants must wear a helmet during the event if competing on a track or road. The helmet must be of a type that has a recognized international safety standard (e.g.: Snell b-84/90/95, BSI 6863, EN 1078).
• Safety flags are recommended if competing on a road.
• Participants must adhere to the following drafting rules as pertaining to road racing:
  • Competitors may “draft” within their same category (e.g., male push-rim wheelchairs may not draft off of female push-rim wheelchairs or off of anyone else apart from another male push-rim wheelchair officially entered in the event).
  • Drafting “out of class” is prohibited if it continues within a distance of less than 5m for more than 400 meters (approximately 0.25 miles).
  • Competitors may not draft off (i.e., behind or aside) of any potential support vehicles.
• Any participant who suffers a mishap on the road or track may be assisted in righting and remounting their chair, provided the assistance does not cause forward movement.
• Participants may receive mechanical or other assistance to repair their chairs, including wheels/tires, provided that such assistance does not result in the forward progress of the participant.

Duo Team

A duo team consists of one person pushing a person with a permanent disability in a customized racing wheelchair, specific for outdoor road racing.

• Duo team participants may compete on a track or on a road.
• The person pushing the customized racing wheelchair must be 18 years of age or older. The person in the customized racing wheelchair must be 8 years of age or older.  Due to safety concerns, there are no exceptions to this rule. Individuals in the customized racing wheelchair that are under 18 years of age must have their registration completed by their parent or legal guardian.
• One person must have a permanent disability and be secured in a customized racing wheelchair.
• For participation in the Training Challenge, the duo team must remain consistent throughout the 8 weeks. No substitutions for either the person pushing or the person riding may be made.
• For participation in the virtual races (8K, 2-mile walk, or The Mile), the person registered to push must push the person with a permanent disability the entire distance; relay teams or the substitution during the event of another runner for the person pushing is not permitted.
• The pusher must maintain contact and control with the customized racing wheelchair at all times throughout the event; the person pushing the customized racing wheelchair must have a tether on the
• Only the participant registered to push is allowed to propel the customized racing wheelchair forward; no outside assistance is
• Only the registered person with a disability is allowed to ride in the customized racing wheelchair.
• It is recommended that the person with a disability riding in the customized racing wheelchair wear a safety helmet at all times during the race.
• Motor, pedals, cranks or gears are strictly

Ambulatory Athlete with a Disability

• Participants may compete on a track, trail, road, or treadmill.
• Ambulatory athletes with a disability may utilize one (1) or two (2) guide or support runners. Guide and support runners must adhere to the following rules and guidelines:
  • A guide or support runner must stay with the participant at all times.
  • A guide or support runner may not push, pull, or propel the participant forward.
  • The method of guidance is at the discretion of the participant (tether, verbal instructions, etc.).
  • A guide or support runner must be on foot; a bicycle or other wheeled device may not be utilized.