NWANA Competition Rules

General Rules and Event-Specific Requirements

These rules establish the general framework for competitions conducted, approved, or sanctioned by the Nordic Walking Association of North America.

They apply to virtual and in-person NWANA competitions unless an official Event Rules Supplement establishes additional requirements for a particular event.

The rules for a specific competition may address its discipline, distance, course, divisions, starting procedure, equipment, judging, penalties, timing, result verification, rankings, qualification, relay format, safety requirements, and appeals process.

A competition is confirmed only when its official event information has been published by NWANA.

Rule Documents for Each Competition

Participants are responsible for reviewing all official information published for their event.

Applicable documents may include:

• these NWANA General Competition Rules;
• the Event Rules Supplement;
• registration terms and waiver;
• course information;
• result submission instructions;
• division and eligibility requirements;
• ranking or qualification rules;
• safety and equipment notices.

An approved Event Rules Supplement may add event-specific requirements or modify a general provision when NWANA expressly authorizes the modification.

The general rules remain in effect for matters not specifically addressed by the Event Rules Supplement.

Athlete Eligibility

To participate, an athlete must:

• complete the required registration;
• provide accurate registration information;
• accept the applicable waiver and event terms;
• meet the published age and eligibility requirements;
• hold any license required for that event;
• use required Nordic Walking equipment;
• follow the instructions of authorized officials;
• be capable of completing the selected distance safely.

NWANA or the event organizer may deny or cancel an entry when an athlete does not satisfy the published requirements or when participation would create a significant safety or compliance concern.

Athlete Licenses

An NWANA Athlete License is not automatically required for every competition.

If a separate Athlete License is required, that requirement will be stated in the registration information and Event Rules Supplement.

Athlete Licenses are obtained through

An Individual License issued through the NWANA Nordic Walking Groups system is not an Athlete License.

Competition Divisions

The divisions offered at a particular competition will be identified in its published rules.

Not every competition is required to offer every division.

Children’s Divisions

The NWANA competition framework includes:

• U8;
• U10;
• U12.

The Event Rules Supplement must establish the minimum eligible age, permitted distances, supervision requirements, and applicable safety standards.

Junior Divisions

The NWANA competition framework includes:

• U14;
• U16;
• U18.

Permitted distances and competition requirements may vary according to age, discipline, course, and event level.

OPEN Division

The OPEN Division is available to eligible athletes age 18 and older with no upper age limit.

Athletes remain eligible for OPEN competition regardless of age. An athlete who qualifies for a Masters age group may still compete for the absolute OPEN result against younger eligible athletes.

OPEN is not a limited Adult age group.

Masters Age Groups

Masters classification begins at age 35 and continues in five-year age groups:

• 35–39;
• 40–44;
• 45–49;
• 50–54;
• 55–59;
• 60–64;
• 65–69;
• 70–74;
• 75–79;
• 80–84;
• 85–89;
• 90–94;
• 95–99;
• 100+.

The rules for each event will state whether eligible athletes may enter OPEN, their Masters age group, or both.

The Event Rules Supplement will also establish the applicable age-determination date and explain how entries, results, rankings, awards, and titles are calculated.

Required Equipment

Athletes must use two poles designed for Nordic Walking.

Poles and their attachment systems must be safe, functional, and appropriate for the competition surface.

The Event Rules Supplement may establish requirements concerning:

• pole length;
• fixed or adjustable poles;
• hand straps or glove systems;
• rubber tips;
• hard tips;
• surface-specific attachments;
• equipment inspection;
• replacement of damaged equipment.

An athlete may not use equipment that creates a safety hazard, provides an unauthorized competitive advantage, damages the competition surface, or does not comply with the published event requirements.

Officials may inspect equipment before, during, or after a competition.

Control of Poles

Athletes must keep their poles under control.

Poles may not be used in a way that:

• obstructs another athlete;
• makes unsafe contact with another person;
• interferes with overtaking;
• creates a hazard at the start, finish, exchange area, aid station, or narrow section of the course.

An athlete remains responsible for the movement and placement of both poles throughout the competition.

Fundamental Nordic Walking Technique

Nordic Walking competition requires both speed and compliant Nordic Walking technique.

Unless an Event Rules Supplement provides a more detailed technical standard, athletes must demonstrate:

• walking movement without a visible flight phase;
• continuous ground contact by at least one foot;
• coordinated alternate movement of the arms and legs;
• active use of both Nordic Walking poles;
• controlled pole placement;
• active propulsion through the poles;
• forward movement consistent with Nordic Walking rather than running.

Technique is evaluated throughout the competition, not only at the start or finish.

Prohibited Movement

The following may be treated as technical violations:

• running;
• jumping or bounding;
• creating a visible flight phase;
• repeated loss of alternating arm-and-leg coordination;
• repeated double-poling used for forward propulsion;
• carrying or dragging the poles without active use to gain an advantage;
• using poles in an unsafe or obstructive manner;
• deliberately shortening or altering the course;
• receiving unauthorized assistance.

The Event Rules Supplement or applicable technical standards may identify additional violations for a particular discipline or competition level.

Temporary Technique Adjustments

An athlete may need to temporarily adjust pole use because of:

• congestion at the start;
• an aid station;
• an exchange area;
• a narrow or hazardous course section;
• an instruction from an official;
• an immediate safety concern.

A temporary adjustment does not automatically constitute a violation when it is necessary for safety and does not provide an unfair advantage.

The athlete must resume compliant Nordic Walking technique as soon as conditions allow.

Stadium Competition Rules

Stadium competitions are conducted on a measured stadium course.

The Event Rules Supplement must identify:

• the distance;
• number of laps;
• starting procedure;
• lane or positioning requirements;
• lapped-athlete procedures;
• judging positions;
• finish and timing method;
• heat or qualification structure, when applicable.

Athletes must follow the marked competition course and any instructions concerning lanes, passing, or positioning.

Road Competition Rules

Road competitions are conducted on a measured hard-surface course.

The Event Rules Supplement must identify:

• the official distance;
• course map;
• start and finish;
• turns and turnaround points;
• course markings;
• aid stations;
• time limits;
• traffic and road-control procedures;
• permitted pole tips;
• judging and timing arrangements.

Athletes must remain on the official course and complete the full published distance.

Cross-Country Competition Rules

Cross-Country competitions are conducted on natural or mixed-surface courses.

The Event Rules Supplement must identify:

• the official distance;
• surface conditions;
• elevation changes;
• technical difficulty;
• course markings;
• checkpoints;
• aid stations;
• time limits;
• required or prohibited equipment;
• weather and safety procedures.

Athletes must follow the marked course and pass all required checkpoints.

Cutting switchbacks, leaving the course to shorten the distance, or intentionally missing a checkpoint may result in a penalty or disqualification.

Relay Competition Rules

A Relay competition must have a published Relay Rules Supplement.

The supplement must establish:

• the number of athletes on each team;
• eligibility and team categories;
• the distance of each leg;
• team composition;
• running order;
• exchange area and exchange procedure;
• substitution rules;
• timing and scoring;
• penalties;
• team ranking consequences.

Only the athlete completing the assigned leg may compete for the team during that leg.

Each relay athlete must use compliant Nordic Walking technique.

A technical or conduct violation by one athlete may affect the athlete’s individual leg, the team’s result, or both, as stated in the Relay Rules Supplement.

Starting Procedures

The starting format will be identified in the Event Rules Supplement.

Possible formats include:

• mass start;
• wave start;
• rolling start;
• interval start;
• separate division starts;
• heat-based starts;
• virtual start window.

Athletes must report to the start area at the required time and follow all instructions from authorized officials.

Starting before the athlete’s authorized signal or outside the permitted starting procedure may result in a penalty or disqualification.

Course Completion

Athletes must complete the full official course.

Athletes must:

• follow course markings;
• complete the required number of laps;
• pass required checkpoints;
• use designated turnaround points;
• cross the official finish;
• comply with timing and result-recording procedures.

An athlete who unintentionally leaves the course must return to the point where the error occurred unless an official directs otherwise.

Shortening the course or failing to complete a required section may result in rejection of the result or disqualification.

Overtaking and Athlete Conduct

Athletes may overtake when it can be done safely.

An athlete being overtaken must not deliberately block, crowd, interfere with, or endanger another competitor.

Athletes must:

• respect other competitors;
• maintain control of their poles;
• follow official instructions;
• avoid abusive, threatening, or discriminatory behavior;
• respect officials, volunteers, spectators, venue staff, and property;
• compete honestly.

Unsporting conduct may result in a warning, penalty, removal from the course, disqualification, suspension, or other action appropriate to the violation.

Outside Assistance

Unauthorized assistance that improves an athlete’s competitive performance is prohibited.

Event rules may regulate:

• pacing;
• physical assistance;
• equipment assistance;
• food and hydration support;
• communication devices;
• accompaniment by another person;
• support vehicles;
• replacement equipment.

Emergency assistance is always permitted when necessary to protect health or safety. Receiving emergency assistance may affect the athlete’s competitive result when stated in the event rules.

Officials and Judging

Authorized officials are responsible for applying the published rules and protecting fair competition.

Depending on the event, officials may include:

• Race Director;
• Competition Director;
• Chief Judge;
• Technique Judges;
• Stadium Judges;
• Course Judges;
• Cross-Country Safety Judges;
• Relay Exchange Judges;
• Timing and Results Officials;
• Technical Delegate;
• Competition Jury.

The required number and assignment of officials depend on the discipline, distance, course, event level, and number of participants.

The names or roles of principal officials should be identified in the event information when appropriate.

Evidence Used in Decisions

Officials may use available evidence when reviewing technique, course completion, timing, eligibility, or results.

Evidence may include:

• direct observation;
• official timing data;
• photographs;
• video;
• checkpoint records;
• lap records;
• course reports;
• witness statements;
• tracker data;
• registration information;
• equipment inspection.

The availability of video or electronic data does not guarantee that every incident can be reviewed.

Warnings and Penalties

A violation may result in one or more of the following:

• instruction or technical correction;
• warning;
• time penalty;
• placement adjustment;
• removal from a ranking;
• result rejection;
• disqualification;
• suspension from an event or series.

The exact warning and penalty system will be published for the applicable discipline or event.

A penalty should be proportionate to the type, frequency, seriousness, and competitive effect of the violation.

Serious Violations

A serious violation may result in immediate disqualification or removal from the event.

Serious violations may include:

• deliberate course cutting;
• intentional interference with another athlete;
• falsification or alteration of result evidence;
• participation under another person’s identity;
• use of unauthorized transportation;
• dangerous use of poles;
• abusive or threatening conduct;
• refusal to follow a safety instruction;
• repeated violations after official warnings;
• other intentional conduct that materially compromises safety or fair competition.

Additional disciplinary action may be taken when appropriate.

Provisional and Official Results

Results may initially be published as provisional.

A result becomes official only after the required review has been completed.

NWANA or the authorized event officials may review:

• timing information;
• technique violations;
• penalties;
• course completion;
• division eligibility;
• relay composition;
• tracker evidence;
• protests;
• corrections.

A result may be corrected, reassigned, rejected, or disqualified before final approval.

A previously published result may also be corrected later if material evidence shows that it was inaccurate, incomplete, fraudulent, or assigned to the wrong athlete or division.

Rankings and Qualification

Not every competition automatically affects every NWANA ranking.

The Event Rules Supplement must identify:

• whether the competition is ranking-eligible;
• which rankings receive the result;
• how points are calculated;
• whether minimum participation requirements apply;
• whether all or selected results count;
• how ties are resolved;
• whether the event provides qualification;
• how penalties or disqualification affect points.

An athlete should not assume that an event result provides ranking points or championship qualification unless that consequence is expressly stated.

Protests and Appeals

The Event Rules Supplement will establish the protest or appeal process when one is available.

It may specify:

• who may file a protest;
• the filing deadline;
• required evidence;
• the submission method;
• any protest fee;
• the reviewing official or Competition Jury;
• whether a further appeal is permitted.

A disagreement with an official does not authorize abusive conduct or refusal to follow instructions.

Unless an appeal process provides otherwise, the final decision of the authorized Competition Jury or NWANA review body controls the official result.

Virtual Competition Rules

Virtual competitions use additional result-completion and verification requirements.

Unless the Event Rules Supplement states otherwise:

• the registered distance must be completed as one continuous effort;
• rest breaks and stopped-time breaks are not permitted;
• Nordic Walking poles are required;
• the activity must be completed during the official event period;
• the result must be submitted within the published submission window;
• the athlete must complete the full registered distance;
• submitted information must be accurate and unaltered.

NWANA may review:

• GPX or FIT files;
• Garmin, Strava, or similar activity links;
• screenshots;
• elapsed time;
• moving time;
• distance;
• pace;
• route and activity data;
• heart-rate data when available;
• other information relevant to verification.

A result may be rejected or excluded from official standings when the submitted information shows:

• rest breaks or stopped-time breaks;
• incomplete or edited activity data;
• an incorrect or incomplete distance;
• inconsistent timing information;
• an implausible pace or route;
• transportation or unauthorized assistance;
• other concerns that make the result unverifiable or noncompliant.

The absence of one particular type of data does not automatically invalidate a result unless that data is required by the applicable Event Rules Supplement.

Safety

Every athlete is responsible for making a reasonable assessment of personal readiness, course conditions, weather, equipment, and the selected distance.

Athletes must follow:

• emergency instructions;
• course closures;
• weather warnings;
• venue rules;
• instructions from officials and safety personnel.

NWANA or the event organizer may delay, modify, shorten, suspend, or cancel an event when necessary for safety, legal compliance, venue requirements, or circumstances beyond reasonable control.

Nothing in these rules represents medical advice or guarantees that participation is safe for every person.

Children and Vulnerable Participants

Events accepting children or other participants requiring additional safeguards must publish appropriate eligibility, supervision, consent, and safety requirements.

A parent, legal guardian, authorized organization, or designated responsible adult may be required to complete registration or provide consent.

The competition organizer may establish shorter distances, separate starts, additional supervision, or other protective measures.

Fair Play

All participants are expected to compete honestly and respect the sport.

Fair competition requires:

• accurate registration;
• completion of the full course;
• truthful result submission;
• compliance with technique rules;
• respect for officials and competitors;
• acceptance of properly issued decisions;
• use of authorized protest and appeal procedures.

An official result must be earned through the athlete’s own compliant performance.

Changes to Rules

NWANA may revise general, discipline-specific, or event-specific rules as the competition system develops.

The version applicable to an event will be identified through the published event information.

Material changes made after registration should be communicated to registered participants when reasonably possible.

NWANA may make immediate changes when required for safety, legal compliance, venue requirements, fair competition, or correction of a material error.

Current Competition Information

These general rules do not replace the registration information and Event Rules Supplement for a specific competition.

Use the official NWANA competition pages to confirm:

• current events;
• registration;
• dates;
• distances;
• divisions;
• result requirements;
• rankings;
• event-specific rules.

Questions About the Rules

Athletes, coaches, organizers, judges, and NW Groups should contact NWANA before an event if they are uncertain about an applicable rule or requirement.

A private explanation does not override the published rules unless NWANA issues an official correction or clarification applicable to the event.