AA/RWA ROADWALK CHAMPIONSHIPS
LOC HANDBOOK
History
The AA Winter Roadwalk Championships and the RWA Winter Roadwalk Championships (known as the Second Federation Carnival) used to be held as two separate meets, held close to each other towards the end of the winter season. This resulted in two small carnivals, each lacking critical mass.
Meetings were held in 2008 with a view to combine the two carnivals into one, to be designated the AA/RWA Roadwalk Championships. This joint carnival has now been held each year since 2008.
This joint carnival involves a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) which consists of:
- Officials from the AA Competition Committee (LOC/AA)
- Officials from the designated RWA Member Club (LOC/RWA)
Details of these carnivals can be summarised as follows
| Year | Venue | LOC/RWA |
| 2008 | Melbourne | VRWC |
| 2009 | Sydney | NSWRWC / Regal Racewalkers |
| 2010 | Brisbane | QRWC |
| 2011 | Canberra | ACTRWC |
| 2012 | Adelaide | SARWC/Bob Cruise & Peter Crump |
| 2013 | Launceston | TRWC / Tim Erickson |
| 2014 | Albany | WARWC |
| 2015 | Melbourne | VRWC |
| 2016 | Canberra | ACTRWC / Renee Cassell |
| 2017 | Wollongong | NSWRWC/Heather Mitchell/Bob Cruise |
| 2018 | Sunshine Coast | QRWC/Shane Pearson/Peter Bennett |
| 2019 | Adelaide | SARWC/Zoe Eastwood-Bryson |
| 2020 | Cancelled | Proposed for Hobart, reallocated to Melbourne but not held due to COVID restrictions imposed by Governments |
Entry procedure and Costs
Entry for all AA and RWA events is to be via an Athletics Australia Online Entry Portal. Entry fees to be set by AA. For walkers who choose to enter more than one event, the maximum fee payable is to be capped. The online entry form should contain a clause in which entrants can nominate their RWA Walking Club (if applicable). These walkers automatically become eligible for any associated RWA events.
Race Day booklets are normally given to each competitor free of additional charge.
Events and Medals
The timetable must cater for 13 separate event groupings. These events and their associated medals are as follows:
1 AA Open Men 20 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Master Men 20 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Open Men 20 km Teams Race 9 medals
2 AA Open Women 20 km Championship 3 medals
3 RWA Open Women 10 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Open Women 10 km Teams Race 9 medals
RWA Masters Women 10 km Championship 3 medals
4 AA Under20 Men 10 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under20 Men 10 km Teams Event 9 medals
5 AA Under20 Women 10 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under 20 Women 10 km Teams Race 9 medals
6 AA Under18 Men 10 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under18 Men 10 km Teams Event 9 medals
7 AA Under18 Women 5 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under18 Women 5 km Teams Event 9 medals
8 AA Under16 Boys 5 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under16 Boys 5 km Teams Event 9 medals
9 AA Under16 Girls 5 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under16 Girls 5 km Teams Event 9 medals
10 AA Under14 Boys 3 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under14 Boys 3 km Teams Event 9 medals
11 AA Under14 Girls 3 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under14 Girls 3 km Teams Event 9 medals
12 RWA Under12 Boys 2 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under12 Boys 2 km Teams Event 9 medals
13 RWA Under12 Girls 2 km Championship 3 medals
RWA Under12 Girls 2 km Teams Event 9 medals
Overall if all medals were presented, this would come to:
AA 10 Individual Championships – 1 x Gold, 1 x Silver, 1 x Bronze
Total: 10 x Gold, 10 x Silver, 10 x Bronze
RWA 12 Teams Events – 3 x Gold, 3 x Silver, 3 x Bronze for each event
5 Individual Championships – 1 x Gold, 1 x Silver, 1 x Bronze for each event
Total: 41 x Gold, 41 x Silver, 41 x Bronze
RWA medals are held by Heather Mitchell of the NSWRWC.
If the local RWA club wishes to include additional non-championship events, it may do so, provided these events are organized and run by LOC/RWA. This would probably involve entries on the day and manual timing by the LOC/RWA. AA should not be expected to become involved in any way with such events. A nominal entry fee of $5 is recommended. Such events could include Open 5km, U10 Boys 1km and/or U10 Girls 1km.
Further Notes on the Events
- Open Women can enter either the AA 20 km event OR the RWA 10 km event but not both. However, all women, whether in the AA 20 km event or the RWA 10 km event, are automatically eligible to score points in the RWA 10 km Teams Championship provided they are members of one of our RWA clubs. 10 km split times will be used for this purpose. These two events may be started at the same time but this is not essential. What is essential is getting the 10km split in a timely manner.
- Masters Men and Women do not need to enter separately. Simply enter the 20 km Open Men or the 10 km
Open Women. Your age (M35+ or W35+) will automatically put you in the 10 km Masters category as well, just like for the Canberra Carnival.
- Because of the close scheduling of events and because of the longer distances being raced by our younger
walkers, only walkers 12 years and older on the day may enter multiple events. This is a duty of care consideration. By way of example, we do not want to see very young walkers racing the Under 12 2 km event and then following up with a second race over either the 3 km or 5 km distance with little or no break.
- If events are held concurrently, walkers may only enter ONE of the events on offer. For instance, if the Under 20 Men 10km and Under 18 Men 10km are held concurrently, walkers may only enter ONE of the events.
Closing Date for Online Entries
The closing time for online entries will be set by AA Once entries have closed, the LOC will forward State based listings to the various RWA Walking Clubs so that the Clubs can confirm current membership status and forward RWA Expected Finishing Times to the LOC/RWA.
State Representation and Uniforms
Walkers in Athletics Australia Championship events may be nominated to represent their State as official representatives provided that they are current members of Athletics Australia affiliated associations. These walkers should wear State uniforms. State Institute of Sport walkers may wear their official Institute competition uniform. The remaining Race Walking Australia club athletes must wear their official Walking Club uniform. Other walkers should wear a uniform that conforms to World Athletics standards.
Age Designation
Age for all AA and RWA events is age as at 31 December of the current year.
Athletics Australia Affiliation
It is recognized that for the Carnival, there may be RWA competitors who are not current members of affiliated AA clubs. Permission is given for these athletes to compete in the Australian championship events.
Race Numbers and Chips
All race numbers and race chips will be provided by AA.
Electronic Timing
LOC/AA will normally use an electronic timing system that records all finishers in all events.
LOC/RWA needs to massage the finishing lists for additional processing
- RWA Teams Results
- RWA Brennen Shield Points
- RWA Handicap Placings
- RWA Medals (in RWA events only)
There have been various methods used to perform the additional RWA processing. These include
- A manual excel spreadsheet
- An excel spreadsheet with additional automated logic
- The LBG Carnival event software
The method to be used must be decided well in advance so that a proper plan can be put into place.
Awards
- Athletics Australia Championship medals will be presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters in the Australian Championship events.
- Race Walking Australia medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters in the Race Walking Australia Masters and Under 12 events.
- Handicap Trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters in all Race Walking Australia events.
- Race Walking Australia medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams in Race Walking Australia team events.
- Race Walking Australia Perpetual trophies will be awarded to the winning teams in Race Walking Australia events.
- Race Walking Victoria medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in the Under 10 events.
Note that place getters in individual events cannot win a handicap trophy.
Perpetual Trophies
- Glover Shield Open Men 20km Teams
- Carrington Cup Open Women 10km Teams
- Troy Sundstrom Trophy U/20 Men 10km Teams
- Jane Saville Trophy U/20 Women 10km Teams
- Nathan Deakes Trophy U/18 Men 10km Teams
- Jacobson Trophy U/18 Women 5km Teams
- Goble Trophy U/16 Boys 5km Teams
- Knight Trophy U/16 Girls 5km Teams
- Ron Crawford Trophy U/14 Boys 3km Teams
- Deanna Rahill Trophy U/14 Girls 3km Teams
- Under 12 Boys Team Trophy U/12 Boys 2km Teams
- Under 12 Girls Team Trophy U/12 Girls 2km Teams
Current perpetual trophy holders are asked to return the engraved trophies to the organizers on or before the day of the carnival.
Food
The LOC may decide to provide canteen facilities on the race day. In the past, this has normally been done by the LOC/RWA rather than the LOC/AA
In past carnivals, there has sometimes been Post-Race Refreshments in conjunction with Presentations. If this is to be done, it must be budgeted and agreed by both LOC parties.
Carnival Budget
All entry monies are taken by AA AA in turn will pay/reimburse for all pre-arranged and pre-agreed carnival costs.
The LOC costs will be in two parts, namely LOC/AA and LOC/RWA.
LOC/AA Expenditure
AA Medals
First Aid Coverage
Competition Numbers
Chip Timing
ASADA testing
Water for Refreshment Tables
Post-Race Refreshments in conjunction with Presentations
Course or Council facility fees, etc
LOC/RWA Expenditure
RWA Medals – Individual Championships (15 @ $7) $ 105
RWA Medals – Teams Events (108 @ $7) $ 756
RWA Handicap Trophies (42 @ $20) $ 840
Event Management Costs $ TBA
LOC/RWA should submit a budget to LOC/AA All expected expenditures must be included. There should not be any surprises post event.
RWA Handicap Trophies
42 RWA handicap trophies are required for the following races (14 x 1st, 14 x 2nd and 14 x 3rd)
- 20 km Open Men
- 20 km Masters Men
- 10 km Open Women
- 10 km Masters Women
- 10 km Under 20 Men
- 10 km Under 20 Women
- 10 km Under 18 Men
- 5 km Under 18 Women
- 5 km Under 16 Boys
- 5 km Under 16 Girls
- 3 km Under 14 Boys
- 3 km Under 14 Girls
- 2 km Under 12 Boys
- 2 km Under 12 Girls
Handicaps
Handicaps for RWA Competitors should be based on the following base times.
| Category | Distance | Base Time |
| Open / Masters Men | 20 km | 1:20:00 |
| Open / Masters Women | 10 km | 42:00 |
| Under 20 Men | 10 km | 42:00 |
| Under 20 Women | 10 km | 44:00 |
| Under 18 Men | 10 km | 44:00 |
| Under 18 Women | 5 km | 22:30 |
| Under 16 Boys | 5 km | 22:30 |
| Under 16 Girls | 5 km | 23:00 |
| Under 14 Girls | 3 km | 13:30 |
| Under 14 Boys | 3 km | 13:30 |
| Under 12 Boys | 2 km | 9:20 |
| Under 12 Girls | 2 km | 9:20 |
Once the entry period has closed, each RWA club will be forwarded an entry list by the LOC. RWA Clubs are then asked to provide an Expected Finishing Time for each of their walkers (see below) and return the completed information to the LOC/RWA by a set date (normally 1 week before the carnival is to be held).
- The expected time shall be the best performed time for that athlete over the RWA entered event distance during the past six months in any competition
- Where an athlete has not recorded a performance over the RWA entered race distance then the expected finishing time for that athlete shall be based on the average time per kilometre for the next lower (lesser) distance plus 5%.
| Entered RWA Race Distance | Lesser Race Distance |
| 2 km | 1 km or 1000 or 1500 metres |
| 3 km | 2000 metres or 2 kms or any of the above |
| 5 km | 3000 metres or 3 kms or any of the above |
| 10 km | 5 Kms or 5000 metres or the above |
| 20 km | 10 Kms or 10000 metres |
- The expected finishing time for a second event of the same distance shall be the same as that submitted for the first event. That is no allowances shall be made for second events of the same distance.
Example:
An athlete has recorded a 15 minute 3 km time in the past six months. That athlete has entered a 5 km event but has not competed in one in the last 6 months. Therefore:
Expected Finishing Time = 15 minute/3 Km = 5 minutes per km.
Thus EFT for 5 km = 5 minutes per km x 5 km (race distance) x 1.05 = 25.25 = 25 minutes 15 seconds.
- The current practice that athletes finishing in 1st, 2nd or 3rd position in the individual race category shall not be eligible for handicap trophies shall remain.
- The Executive and/or a designated member of the Organising Committee of the RWA event may carry out random checks on expected finishing times submitted by AFRWC Clubs and to ask that club to reconsider the submitted expected finishing time(s) if the Executive or Organising Committee members so require.
- Entries received without handicaps shall be ineligible for handicap trophies;
Appendix: Sample RWA Points Processing
- RWA Teams Competition
Team points for Federation events are scored as follows:
- The winner receives points equal to 3 times the number of teams competing plus 1 point
- Second place receives 2 fewer points than the winner
- Third receives 3 fewer points, etc.
To be allocated team points a team must have 3 finishers. Retired and disqualified walkers do not receive any points.
If 2 teams finish with the same number of points, the team to finish first is deemed to finish before the other team.
- RWA Brennen Shield Competition
The Brennen Shield is contested by the Number 1 team from each RWA Club in each event.
To allocate Brennen points a team must have 3 finishers.
- The winner is always awarded 3 points for each RWA club plus 1 additional point. We have 7 RWA Clubs eligible to compete (ACTRWC, NSWRWC, QRWC, SARWC, VRWC, TRWC and WARWC). Hence the winner will always be awarded 22 points: (3×7) + 1.
- Second place is always awarded 20 points, third place is always awarded 19, and so on.
Here is an example from the 2017 LBG Carnival:
| EVENT 15: GIRLS U12 2 KM | TIME | TEAMS | ||||
| 1 | Izabella Dunne | NSWRWC1 | 10:20 | 13 | ||
| 2 | Milly Boughton | NSWRWC1 | 10:31 | 11 | ||
| 3 | Elli Pusonjic | SARWC1 | 11:10 | 10 | ||
| 4 | Hannah Wilks | SARWC1 | 11:16 | 9 | ||
| 5 | Chloe Krklinski | NSWRWC1 | 11:38 | 8 | ||
| 6 | Isabelle Nilon | NSWRWC2 | 11:47 | 7 | ||
| 7 | April Billington | NSWRWC2 | 11:52 | 6 | ||
| 8 | Rhianni Deegan | NSWRWC2 | 12:19 | 5 | ||
| 9 | Ella Baker | ACT | 12:19 | |||
| 10 | Sienna Pitcher | NSWRWC3 | 12:42 | 4 | ||
| 11 | Cassandra Hill | RWQ | 12:45 | |||
| 12 | Maddison Vaughan | RWV | 12:45 | |||
| 13 | Katie DeRuvo | SARWC1 | 13:07 | 3 | ||
| 14 | Sarah Challinor | NSWRWC3 | 14:56 | 2 | ||
| 15 | Amelia Crocker | NSWRWC3 | 15:09 | 1 | ||
| Teams Competition | Brennen | Shield | ||||
| 1 | NSWRWC1 | 13,11,8 =32 | 1 | NSWRWC1 | 22 | |
| 2 | SARWC | 10,9,3=22 | 2 | SARWC1 | 20 | |
| 3 | NSWRWC2 | 7,6,5=18 | ||||
| 4 | NSWRWC3 | 4,2,1=7 | ||||