Winter Series Rules
Rules are subject to change.
Series Registration (Members): Registration fee for the entire series is $75.To be eligible for Winter Series (WS) points you must be a club member and your membership dues must be paid prior to the Staggered Start race (also see Eligibility for Awards and Winter Series Point System, below).
Individual Event Registration (Members): Members registering for individual races only: the fee is $50 for the Eenie-Meanie-Minie-Moe half marathon, all other races are $25 each race, payable on day of race. Pre-registration is especially encouraged for members, as individual race fees will not be refunded. Individual race registration takes place 45 minutes before each race. Races will begin on time.
Individual Event Registration (Non-Members): You must be a BCRR member to register for the entire series. Non-members may participate by registering onsite for individual races, on race day. The fee is $50 for the Eenie-Meanie-Minie-Moe half marathon, all other races are $25 each race, payable on day of race. Individual race registration takes place one hour before each race. Races will begin on time.
Waiver: All runners must sign a waiver covering the entire Winter Series or that day’s race before entering any individual race and agree to the BCRR Member Code of Conduct.
Restrictions: Running with skates, baby strollers, baby joggers, and/or animals is not permitted at any racing event. Use of headphones is discouraged.
Volunteer Requirement: To accumulate points for age-group, overall awards, and annual WS mug, you must volunteer at one of the races. If you do not volunteer, you will not be eligible for age-group or overall awards and placements. Volunteers and Race Directors will receive five points for each event. You may receive volunteer points for more than one race. Participants 18 years of age and younger are exempt from the volunteer requirement. Proxy volunteers will not be permitted under any circumstances. Volunteer for the race of your choice at SignUp Genius. Information about volunteer openings for each race is updated in real time. You may also sign up to volunteer while at any of the races. Volunteers will be assigned to the race of their choice on a first-come-first-served basis. WS participants serving “season-long” volunteer positions, as designated and assigned by the WS Director, are exempt from the race volunteer requirement.
Times & Locations: All races are held at Tyler State Park in Newtown. Race registration is at the pavilion in the Boat House area. Park maps are available online and at the park office. The New Years Day Cham-Pain race starts at 11:00am; all the other races start at 9:00 AM. The starting line for all races is at or near the pedestrian causeway (weather permitting). Races will begin on time.
Weather: Courses, distances and starting points may change due to weather and surface conditions. If weather conditions leading up to the day of the scheduled event seem questionable, you may call 215-750-8461 after 8:00 PM the day before the event. In addition, changes will be posted on the blog and in our Facebook group. In the event of a storm the night before or day of a race, a message will be posted by 7:30 AM the morning of the race (9:30 AM for the Cham-Pain race).
Age Groups: Males and females each will have at least 7 age divisions: 13 and under 14-19, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39 , 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 to 74, 75 to79, 80-84, 85-89 and 90 and over. If participation warrants it, some age groups may be further sub-divided.
Award Eligibility: Prizes will be awarded at the annual Winter Series Banquet. To be eligible for an award you must:
- Be a BCRR member
- Run at least one WS race
- Volunteer at one WS race
Note: The WS Banquet fee may be an additional cost.
Point System: Prizes will be awarded for the top overall male and female runner, and the top three male and female runners in each age group, based on points awarded as follows. All individuals finishing the scheduled race will be awarded 5 points towards both their overall and age-group point totals. For races that consist of more than one loop in Tyler Park (i.e. Tyler Challenge, ½ Marathon, etc.) 3 overall and age group points will be awarded to runners who do not complete the race, but who complete at least one loop. However, these runners must check in with the volunteers at the registration table and verbally report the number of loops that they completed. Their times will not be recorded.
The first five overall males and females in each race will be awarded additional points contributing to their overall award total as follows:
- First Place – 5 points
- Second – 4 points
- Third – 3 points
- Fourth – 2 points
- Fifth – 1 point
In addition the first male and female in each age group will be awarded additional points contributing their age group award total as follows:
- First Place – 5 points
- Second – 4 points
- Third – 3 points
- Fourth – 2 points
- Fifth – 1 point
A maximum of 8 races run will count in the points standings for races for which a runner would be awarded age group or overall points. All races allow for the accumulation of the 5 participation points. If one or more race is canceled, this number will be reduced for each race not held. The maximum number of points an individual can receive for one race is 10 overall points and 10 age group points. The maximum WS score is 80, based on 10 points for winning 8 races.
