Official race rules

THE RACE

• The Race for individuals is over a distance of 1 mile.

• The Relay races consist of a team 4 runners, each covering a distance of 0.25 miles.

• The course is from Moat Farm Close, Greenfield to the White Hart, Flitton on tarmac road.

• Each competitor will carry a bag of potatoes appropriate to their entry category.

• The race must be run forwards, facing forward.

• Potatoes and sacks are provided for all runners at the start line. Competitors can keep their potatoes.

ENTRY CATEGORIES

Individual

• Male (over 16 years) 20kg bag

• Female (over 16 years) 10kg bag

• 14 - 16 (male and female) 5kg bag 

• 10 - 13 years (male and female) 2kg bag

Relays

Teams of 4

• Adult males or mixed team (over 16 years) 20kg bag 

• Adult females (over 16 years) 10kg bag

• Veterans relay (45 years and over) 10kg bag

• Cadet (16-17 years) 10kg bag. Note: for the Cadet Relay only the potato bag is carried in a single rucksack

• Youth relay 14 - 16 years 5kg bag

• Youth relay 10 - 13 years 2kg bag

Spud & Spoon

A non-competitive egg'n'spoon style race for children aged 0-9.

RACE RULES

Individuals

• Potato bags must be carried unaided by the competitor, with the exception of members of a Cadet Team Relay, where a single rucksack is permitted.

• Competitors must run or walk the entire length of the course with the potato bag and complete the course with the bag undamaged. If a bag is damaged in such a way that potatoes are lost (lessening the weight) the competitor will be disqualified.

In addition for Relays:

• The incoming competitor must hand over the potato bag to the outgoing competitor within the designated changeover area; which will be clearly marked on the road.

• The bags can be handed directly between the competitors or use can be made of a table in the changeover area.

• Failure to exchange within the changeover area will result in immediate disqualification of the team.

• For the Cadet Team Relay these rules apply to the handover of the rucksack.

• Cadet Team Relay team members must be members of recognised uniformed youth organisations.

Spud and Spoon Races:

• Registration for the spud and spoon races is at the Village Hall. Children will be given a race number at registration which must be worn for the race.

• The spud and spoon races are non-competitive and every entrant who crosses the finish line receives the same goody bag. For safety reasons if there are too many children they will race in groups of up to 20 at a time.

• There are 2 categories of Spud and Spoon race. 6-9 year olds will start from the Village Hall. Under 6's will start at the bottom of Sand Road.

RACE TIMING

• Only times recorded by the official designated timekeeper will be used to indicate a competitor's finishing time.

• Runners must wear their runner number clearly on their chest; runner numbers must not be worn on the back. Runners who cross the line without a visible, valid runner number will not be counted.

• Runners will be issued with a timing chip on registering at the village hall. Runners should attach the timing chip securely to their shoe. Runners who cross the line without a valid timing chip will not be counted. Relay teams will be issued with a single chip which must be worn by the final runner.

• All timing chips must be returned to the stewards after the race.

PRIZES AND TROPHIES

Trophies and prizes will be awarded on the day, after the completion of all races. The trophies remain the property of the Famous Flitton Potato Race Organising Committee and after being suitably annotated with the relevant winners' details will be displayed in the White Hart, Flitton.

All finishers will receive a commemorative medal.

• Individual Male (20kg category) - A cup and a cash prize will be awarded to 1st place. Trophies and cash prizes will also be awarded to 2nd and 3rd places. A prize will also be awarded to the first male aged 45 or over, known as the "Veterans Prize".

• Individual Female (10kg category) - A cup and a cash prize will be awarded to 1st place. Trophies and cash prizes will also be awarded to 2nd and 3rd places. A prize will also be awarded to the first female aged 45 or over, known as the "Veterans Prize".

• Individual Youth (5kg category) - A trophy and prize will be awarded to 1st place. Trophies will be awarded to 2nd and 3rd place.

• Individual Youth (2kg category) - A trophy and prize will be awarded to 1st place. Trophies will be awarded to 2nd and 3rd place.

• Adult Male Relay Team (20kg category) - A trophy and prize will be awarded to 1st place. Prizes will also be awarded to 2nd and 3rd places.

• Adult Female Relay Team (10kg category) - A trophy and prize will be awarded to 1st place. Prizes will also be awarded to 2nd and 3rd places. 

• Veterans Relay Team (10kg category) - A prize will be awarded to 1st place.

• Cadet Team Relay (10kg category) - A trophy and a prize will be awarded to 1st place.

• Youth Team Relay (5kg category) - A trophy and a prize will be awarded to 1st place.

• Youth Team Relay (2kg category) - A trophy and a prize will be awarded to 1st place.

In the event of a tie for:

• 1st place, the relevant cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place will be added together and then shared equally.

• 2nd place, the relevant cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd place will be added together and then shared equally.

• 3rd place, the relevant cash prize will be shared equally.

PHOTOGRAPHY

During the Event, audio, visual, or audio-visual recordings may be taken which capture your participation in the Event. You agree to the publication of such photographs and broadcasts and their use by the Famous Flitton Potato Race Organising Committee in future publications and publicity.

Any audio, visual, or audio-visual recordings that you make of the Event or any part of it are for personal use only and cannot be used for any commercial purpose.

Unless (written) express objections are received (prior to the Event) individuals attending this Event are deemed to have given their consent by attending or remaining at the Event.