In 2003, the following A.A. Local Ruleset was published. It builds on and supplements/replaces the 1999 Local Bylaws which are also shown below the 2003 Rules.

Note that in the interests of currency, I have updated the 2003 Local Ruleset to reflect changed IAAF Rule numbers and have modified obsolete references as required ('warning' to 'red card' and 'warning board' to 'posting board') - Tim Erickson, 26 October 2009.

ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA RULES – WALKING EVENTS (2003)

20.4  Walking Rules - Generally walking events are to be conducted in accordance with 1AAF Rule 230 except as amended hereunder.
 

In March 1999, the Athletics Australia Walking Commission released the following Practical Guide to Race Walking as an addendum to the IAAF Rules for local competitions within Australia. These have now been modified by the 2003 addendum shown above.

ATHLETICS AUSTRALIA WALKING COMMISSION

JUDGING OF RACE WALKING

Introduction
The AA Walking Commission has adopted the "IAAF The Judging of Race Walking - A Practical Guide" as the bible for Race Walking in Australia. This supersedes the Athletics Australia "Walking Rules and Judging Procedures" issued in 1994.

We want all athletics groups in Australia to use the IAAF Booklet as amended where appropriate by dispensations from the IAAF Rules in Australia granted by Athletics Australia. This will ensure uniformity of judging and application of the rules throughout Australia.

When the IAAF Booklet is obtained from Athletics Australia it will have this document inserted giving the dispensations and local rules listed below.

Australian Race Walking Competition Rules
At all walking competitions conducted under the jurisdiction of Athletics Australia i.e. Australian and State Championships, selection trials and interstate competition, and interclub competition IAAF Rule 191 applies unless dispensation(s) have been granted by the controlling body for the particular level of competition.

In the interest of uniformity it is recommended that Little Athletics, Veterans and Schools' competitions be conducted under the same rules.

Race Walking Competition Rules
In its Competition Rules Athletics Australia has approved the following additions to the IAAF Rules for competition in Australia except for Australian Championships, International Meetings and other meetings as determined by the Board:

1. Refreshments
Notwithstanding Rule 191.6(c) refreshment stations shall be provided for all events 10 k and over.

2. Cautions
Add a Rule 191.4(h). If a competitor, who is to receive a warning, has not received a prior caution from the judge, the judge may issue a caution to the competitor. The judge shall advise the Chief Judge that a caution has been issued as well as submitting the disqualification proposal

Chief Judge
The Chief Judge may act as a walk judge for walking competitions in Australia unless the Chief Judge determines that the workload on a particular event may prevent satisfactory execution of the Chief Judge's duties.

Australian Records
To claim an Australian Record a minimum of four (4) AA graded Race Walking Judges must have judged the race in which the record is claimed. At least two of these Judges must be Level A AA graded judges. For the purpose of this clause Level A AA judges shall be deemed to include any IAAF graded judge.

Warning Posting Board
A Warning Posting Board shall be used on events conducted under the direct control of Athletics Australia which are 5 km or longer. For all other levels of competition in Australia the Warning Posting Board is optional. However, it is not recommended for use on events less than 5 km.

Warnings for Disqualification
Often the number of Walk Judges available for interclub, PB meets and club competition are less than recommended in Rule 191.2(c). In those circumstances the following disqualification arrangements shall apply:

(a) Where only one Judge is available, one warning for disqualification.
(b) Where only 2 Judges are available, two warnings for disqualification.
(c) Where 3/4/5/6/7 Judges are available, three warnings for disqualification.

The Chief Walk Judge shall advise the Starter's Assistant as to how many Walk Judges will be judging the event so that the Starter's Assistant can advise the competitors as to which of the disqualification rules above will apply.

Judging Panel Selection
The State Association conducting a national meeting shall be responsible for calling applications for Walk Judges. The Athletics Australia Officials' Sub Commission shall appoint the Judges.
State Associations should appoint Walk Judges through their Officials' Committee for state competitions.
The following principles should apply in selecting Judging Panels for all levels of walking competition in Australia.

• Judges who have a conflict of interest should stand down from Judging Panels when they have a close family member and/or an athlete they coach in the field.
• As wide a cross section of interests as possible should be represented on the Judging Panel i.e. different clubs at state level and different states at national level competition.
• Only one close family member should be on a Judging Panel for a particular race unless otherwise determined by AA.
• The highest graded Judge should be the Chief Judge at championship events i.e. IAAF Panel Judge then A, B and C Judges.

Specific Advice for Judges and Recorders
Whilst you can give a caution to a competitor once for loss of contact and also for not straightening the support leg you can not give a second caution under any circumstance for the same offence to the same competitor.

The third warning for a competitor must not be posted on the Warning Posting Board until the Chief Judge has disqualified the offending competitor.

Denis Wilson
Chairman AA Walking Commission
15 March, 1999

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Tim Erickson
VRWC Webmaster
Melbourne, Australia