Event Rules & Safety
EVENT RULES FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS
The following event rules and guidelines are intended to ensure the safety of all participants, to meet the requirements of local government permits and to be compliant with applicable USA Track & Field (USATF) and International Association of Athletes Federation (IAAF) regulations for participant performance records and event liability.
PARTICIPATION
Distance and Time Requirements
Registrants must be capable of completing their chosen event—whether the Half Marathon, 5K, or Kids' Dash—within the event's designated time limits. For the Half Marathon, participants must complete the course within 3 hours (approximately a 13:45 per mile pace). For the 5K, participants must complete the course within 1 hour (approximately a 19:21 per mile pace). The Kids' Dash is intended for younger participants and will be timed separately.
Age and Registration Requirements
- Participants must be at least 5 years old on the day of the event to register for the 5K or Kids' Dash.
- Participants must be at least 12 years old on event day to register for the Half Marathon.
- Registrants under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian complete the registration form and provide consent for participation.
Event Waiver
Every participant must read and agree to the event waiver before participating. For participants under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete the registration form and sign the waiver on their behalf.
Accommodation Requests
Any participant seeking accommodation due to a disability should submit a written request to the Event Registration Manager. Please visit the Race Info page for contact details.
Bib Numbers and Timing Devices
Participant bibs and timing devices are unique personal identifiers and are non-transferable. Participants may not exchange, sell, or transfer their bib or timing device to another person. Any violation of this policy will result in disqualification and may lead to a ban from future events.
Entry Fees
All entry fees are non-refundable and may not be deferred to future events.
EVENT DAY
Compliance with Event Officials and Safety Personnel
All participants must follow instructions from event officials, including race staff, volunteers, medical personnel, fire and police officials, security officers, and city officials throughout the event. Participants must conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner towards fellow runners and the local community. This includes, but is not limited to, refraining from alcohol consumption, public urination or defecation (except in designated restroom facilities), and obstructing others on or near the course. Violations of these conduct rules will result in disqualification and removal from the course.
Bib Number Requirement
Each participant will be provided with an event bib number, which must be clearly visible on the torso (and back, if applicable) of the participant’s outermost layer during the race. The bib number must be worn as issued. Participants without a visible and correct bib number will not be permitted to participate.
Use of Music and Devices
The use of music devices (e.g., iPods, headphones) is allowed during the race, but participants are strongly discouraged from using cell phones, video devices, cameras, or similar equipment while running. Event officials reserve the right to disqualify any participant using such devices if they create a safety hazard or impede the flow of the race.
Wheeled Devices
The use of wheeled devices is strictly limited to the following:
- Baby joggers or strollers (must be registered and start at the back of the pack)
- Authorized wheelchair participants
- Course marshals on bicycles including police or medical
- Skateboards, rollerblading, unauthorized bicycles, or any other wheeled device are prohibited on the course.
Start Time and Course Closure
Participants must begin the race at the official start time. The course will remain secured for the duration of the race, until the 20:00-minute-per-mile pace vehicle crosses the finish line, signaling the official end of the event. After this point, the course will be reopened to motor vehicles, and participants will be required to finish the race on the sidewalk.
Alcohol Consumption and Health
For health and safety reasons, participants are advised not to consume alcohol while running. Additionally, participants must adhere to all Lake Geneva and surrounding city alcohol use rules and regulations. The event reserves the right to disqualify any participant whose actions put themselves or others at risk.
THE START
- All participants are responsible for knowing the official race start time.
- Participants should line up according to their expected pace per mile.
- Everyone must be behind the official start line and timing mat before the race begins.
- The start area will close once the last runner crosses the start line. After this point, no further participants will be permitted to start the race.
PARTICIPANT CONDUCT AND COURSE RULES
Obeying Officials
Participants must follow the instructions of all event officials, including race staff, fire and police officers, city officials, and course marshals. Failure to comply with these directions, engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, or using offensive language or actions toward officials, volunteers, other participants, or spectators may result in disqualification from the event and/or future races, at the discretion of the race officials.
Pets
We love your pets but please leave them at home.
Leaving and Rejoining the Course
Once a participant leaves the course, they will not be permitted to rejoin the race for any reason, including to gain a position, pace, or assist another participant.
Course Cutting
Any participant found to have intentionally shortened the race route ("cutting the course") by a course marshal, event official, or through surveillance equipment will be immediately disqualified from the event.
Unauthorized Participants and Bib Numbers
Participants must wear an official event bib number and timing device assigned to them. Anyone participating without a valid bib number or with an incorrect bib or timing device is subject to removal from the event and disqualification from future races.
Unauthorized Access to the Course
Only registered participants are authorized on the course. Non-registered individuals are not permitted to accompany participants unless they are an infant or toddler in a baby jogger/stroller pushed by a registered participant. Anyone on the course without an authorized bib number will be asked to leave.
Assistance and Refreshments
Participants are not allowed to receive assistance or refreshments from anyone during the race unless authorized by event management. A medical examination by officially designated medical personnel during the event is not considered assistance and will not result in disqualification, provided the participant is deemed medically fit to continue.
RESULT TIMING
Each participant will receive an electronic timing device in their event packet prior to the start. It is the participant's responsibility to ensure proper use and attachment of the timing device. The device must be worn continuously throughout the event to record an accurate finish time. Any participant whose net time exceeds the event time limit (1 hour, 2 minutes) will not be recognized with an official result.
TIMING DISQUALIFICATION
Participants who are found wearing two or more event-issued electronic timing devices during the race will be disqualified, and their results will not be recorded. Participants with missing split times at official timing checkpoints may also be disqualified. All finish times are reviewed before being officially recorded. To receive an official course completion time, participants must start the event at the designated official start time.
EXCEPTIONS
Any individual seeking a waiver of any event rules must submit a written request at least 30 days prior to the event, detailing the nature of the request and the reasons for the exemption.
AMENDMENTS/RESERVATIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Event officials reserve the right to modify, supplement, or waive any part of the event rules.
- Participants will be bound by any changes or additions to the rules published prior to the event.
- Failure to comply with the event rules, as amended, will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the official results.
- The Forbeck Foundation Lake Geneva Half follows the rules set by USATF and the IAAF. Participants are subject to these rules, and further information can be found on usatf.org and iaaf.org.
