In Marathon Racing the competitor races over a designated long distance course on water not subject to prescribed standards. He must take the water as he finds it and be prepared, if its is necessary, to carry his canoe around an impassable obstacle, or between two waterways.

All competitions announced as international shall be held in accordance with the regulations of the ICF. Competitions arranged by the national federations or their clubs are considered international if competitors of a foreign country are invited to participate. These competitions must be controlled by at least once accredited official in possession of a valid international official card.

Only members of clubs or associations affiliated with an ICF Member Federation have the right to participate in an international competition. A competitor is always allowed to take part individually in an international competition, but must in each case obtain special permission from his/her National Federation.

A competitor may take part on behalf of the Federation in a foreign country in which he/she is domiciled, if he/she obtains the authorization of his/her Federation of origin. If he/she has lived for 2 years or more in this foreign country, the approval of his/her Federation is no longer required.

This rule does not apply in the case of a competitor who leaves his/her country of origin to marry in another country. He/she can, in this case, compete for his/her new Federation without awaiting the delay of 2 years.

A competitor may not compete for more than one Federation in any one calendar year in the sport of canoeing.

The first year a junior competitor can compete is the year in which his/her 15th birthday falls, and the last year he/she may compete as a junior is the year in which his/her 18th birthday falls.

A Master competitor can compete in a Masters event in the year he or she reaches the lower limit of the age category, i.e. in the 35-39 age group in the year of his or her 35th birthday. In K2 or K4 events the age of the youngest competitor will control the category in which a crew can compete. Age group categories will commence from age 35-39 and increase upwards in 5-year age brackets.

Before the 1st August of each year, all national federations shall send to the ICF headquarters and to the Chairman of the Marathon Racing Committee,their proposed programme of international races for the following year, for publication in the ICF Calendar. Changes to the Calendar may be made to 30th September after which date the Calendar will be considered complete and be published.

Trademarks

The guidelines for any advertising material carried on the clothing and equipment of paddlers should be as follows:

All kind of building materials are permitted. Sections and longitudinal lines of of the hull of the Kayak shall be convex and not interrupted. Steering rudders are allowed. The maximum thickness of the rudder blade must not exceed 10 mm in the case of K-1 and K-2 if the rudder blade forms an extension to the length of the kayak.

All kind of building materials are permitted. Sections and longitudinal lines of the hull of the canoe shall be convex and not interrupted. The canoe must be built symmetrically upon the axis of its length.

Steering rudders or any guiding apparatus directing the course of the canoe are not allowed. A keel, if any, must be straight, shall extend over the whole length of the canoe and shall not project more than 30 mm, below the hull.

The C-1 may be entirely open and in any case shall not be decked more than 150cm from the stem and 75cm from the stern, measured from the outer edge of the stem or stern to the furthest point of the edge of the deck, for the fore and aft decks respectively. The C-2 may be entirely open, the min. length of the opening shall be 295cm. Removable spray decks may be used.

Manually operated pumps may be fitted in both canoes and kayaks. Bailers which interrupt the line of the hull are not permitted. Electrically operated pumps may only be used when the race organisers require it on safety grounds.Automatic or pump bailers may be fitted in both kayaks and canoes.

The length of a kayak or canoe shall be measured between the extremes of the stem and stern. Sternbands or other protection of the stem or stern, if any, are to be included. Any rudder forming a continuation of the length of a kayak is not included in the measurement. The weight of a kayak or canoe shall be measured when the boat has been emptied of excess water and may include buoyancy, seats, footrests, steering gear and fixed pumps, but excluding paddles, spray decks and drink containers.

International competitions shall be held under the supervision of the following officials:

If circumstances permit, one person may function in two of the above positions. The top management of the Competition shall be in the hands of the Competition Committee which shall consist of:

The Competition Committee may disqualify any competitor who behaves improperly or who by his conduct or speech shows contempt towards the officials, other competitors or onlookers.

A member of the Competition Committee may not participate in a judgement connected with the disqualification of a competitor from his own national federation.

The Chief Official, who is also the Chairman of the Competition Committee, shall decide all matters arising during the actual contest, which are not dealt with in these rules.

The Technical Director is responsible for the preparation and running of the competition.

The Competition Secretary is responsible for recording the results and preparing lists of prizewinners. He must keep the minutes of the proceedings of any protest meetings. He must provide the Press Official with all necessary information regarding the running of the event or the results.

The Starter decides all questions concerning the start of the races, and alone is responsible for decisions as to false starts. He must see to it that the starting gun or pistol is in working order. He must order the competitors to their places and carry out the start in accordance with the Marathon Racing Rules. The language used shall be English. His decision is final.

The Aligner is responsible for bringing the boats to the starting line with the least possible delay. The language used shall be English.

The Course Umpire shall ensure that during a race the rules are complied with. If the rules are broken, the Umpire shall report the infraction to the Chief Official, who, in turn, shall refer it to the Competition Committee. The Competition Committee shall then decide whether any of the competitors concerned shall be disqualified, or not.The Course Umpire shall appoint officers to supervise the control points along the course.

The Finishing Line Judges decide the order in which the competitors have crossed the finishing line. They shall be placed at the finishing line. If the judges differ regarding the placing of two or more of the competitors, the disagreement shall be decided by a simple majority. In the case of equal voting, the Chief Judge shall exercise a casting vote.The decision of the judges is final.

The Timekeepers are responsible for recording the times. Before each race the Chief Timekeeper shall satisfy himself that the watches or other time-keeping equipment are working satisfactorily.

The Boat Scrutineer shall ensure that the dimensions and weight of the boats, equipment, clothing and advertising conform to the ICF Marathon Rules, and shall mark them accordingly. Should any not fulfil the ICF requirement they shall be excluded from the competition.

a) Confirms that the boat and equipment have been approved by the Boat Scrutineer.

b) Satisfies himself that the boat, equipment and clothing of the competitor meet the requirements of the competition regulations.

c) When satisfied dispatches the boats, in the appropriate order, to the Aligner.

The Safety Officer is responsible for advising the Competition Committee on the safety measures necessary, and for seeing that these are taken.

The Announcer, on the instructions of the Competition Organizer, announces the start of each race, the order of starting, and the placing of the competitors during the race. After the race is finished he will announce the results.

The Press official must supply all necessary information to the representatives of the press, radio and television, on the race and its progress. He is authorised therefore to seek this information from the various officials, who must also procure for him, as quickly as possible, copies of the official results.

In World Championships all officials must be recognised International Marathon Racing Officials with valid certificate.

Recognition as an international Official for Marathon Racing is given by the ICF to those persons who have passed an appropriate examination. Only national federations are entitled to nominate candidates for this examination, and the candidates names must be submitted to the ICF General Secretary at least two months before the date of the examination. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of 20 US dollars, which is not refundable in the event of the candidate failing in the examination.

Applications shall not be younger than 25 years or older than 60 years, and must have served as officials at least five times, and possess appropriate experience.

A copy of the application form shall also be sent to the Chairman of the Marathon Racing Committee. A sub-committee of the ICF will arrange the examination annually, in conjunction with a major marathon event.

The examination will be conducted in one of the official languages of the ICF and will be based on the Statutes and Marathon Racing Rules of the ICF and practical experience of marathon racing.

If a national federation wishes to hold an examination at some other time, the federation must meet the living and travel expenses of the members of the examining committee.

Candidates who have failed one examination may enrol for another, but not earlier than the following year.

Successful candidates will be issued with a legitimation card as International Marathon Racing Officials. The cost incurred by a candidate in connection with the examination, shall be a charge on the national federation of that candidate.

An invitation to an international competition shall contain the following information:

Entries for an international competition can be made only through the national federation and in accordance with the regulations given in the invitation.

An entry shall, however, always contain the following:

In addition to nominated crews, federations are allowed to enter substitutes in every race, as follows: K-1 and C-1 1 person, K-2 and C-2 2 persons. Substitutes may be placed in any of the boats entered in the race in question. In multi stages races, the composition of a crew may not be changed after the start of the race.

An entry may be telegraphed if it is dispatched before midnight on the last day for receiving entries. Entry by telegram must be confirmed immediately by letter and in the eventuality of conflicting information, the information by letter would take precedence.

When making their entries federations must give the colours of the clothing worn by the competitors, and these colours must not be changed during the competition.

Applications for entry must be acknowledged within 48 hours of receipt. For events other than Championships a team leaders meeting shall be held commencing not later than three (3) hours before the first event starts and not sooner than 30 hours before the first event starts, to determine amongst other things the final entry details. After the meeting the definitive programme shall be completed and made available at the course giving names and citizenship of competitors and the results of the draw if one has been required. For Championships a team leaders meeting shall be held commencing not later than 12 hours before the first race and not sooner than 36 hours before the first race. After the meeting the definitive programme shall be available at the course, giving names and citizenship of the competitors and the results of the draw if one has been required.

For events designated as the ICF Championships only those substitutes named on the entry are allowed to replace the nominated competitors. Notification of such alterations must be given at the team leaders meeting.

The Chief Official may in exceptional circumstances accept written replacement of named competitors by named reserves up to one hour before the start of the first race.

The Chief Official's decision as to what constitutes an exceptional circumstance is final, and not subject to appeal. The withdrawal of an entry is considered final and no renewed entry of the same crew is allowed. Entry fees cannot be refunded.

The sequence of races given in the invitation, and the intervals between the races as given in the racing programme, are binding on the organizers. Alterations cannot be made unless the respective team managers or national representatives at the competition, give their consent.

Flags marking portage limits shall be diagonally divided with one half in red and the other in yellow. Both starting and finishing lines shall be marked with red flags at the points where these lines intersect the outer limits of the course.

All kayaks and canoes shall carry a number which shall be attached to the kayak or canoe as instructed by the race organizer.

Each team leader shall receive printed or written instructions at least 5 hours before the beginning of the competition, containing the following information:

A protest against the right of a crew to take part in a race shall be referred to the Chief Official not later than one hour before the start of the race. A protest made later, within 31 days from the date when the race in question was held, is only permitted if the officials of the association making the protest can prove that the facts on which the protest is based came to their knowledge later than one hour before the start of the race.

A later protest shall be referred to the ICF Marathon Racing Committee accompanied by the prescribed fee.

A protest made during a competition relating to an incident in the race must be addressed to the Competition Committee and handed to the Chief Official not later than one hour after the last of the competitors involved in the incident have completed the course, or if forced to retire one hour after the retirement has been reported to the organiser.

The organisers shall be permitted to commence issuing preliminary results and carry out reward ceremonies after one third, or the first three, whichever is the greater, of the competitors of the class have completed the course, or their retirements notified to the organiser.

All protests shall be made in writing and be accompanied by a fee of 25 US dollars (or an equal sum in the local currency) the fee will be refunded if the protest is upheld.

Competitors have the right to appeal to the ICF, through their national federations, against a decision of the Competition Committee, within 30 days from the date when the race was held. The appeal shall be accompanied by a fee of 25 US dollars or its equivalent, which will be refunded if the appeal is upheld.

The ICF Board of Management shall pronounce the final decision based on a recommendation by the Marathon Racing Committee.

Any Competitor who attempts to win a race by any other than honourable means, or who breaks the racing regulations, or who disregards the honourable nature of the racing regulations will be disqualified for the duration of the race concerned.

Should a competitor have completed a race in a kayak or canoe which is shown, upon inspection, not to fulfil the ICF classifications, he shall be disqualified from the race in question.

It is forbidden, during a race, to be accompanied by other boats along the course.

Such acts shall entail the disqualification of the competitor/s concerned. All disqualifications by the Competition Committee must be confirmed in writing immediately, giving the reasons. The team leader of the competitor must acknowledge receipt on a copy of the notice, with the exact time, which marks the start of the protest time.

Kayaks shall be propelled solely by means of double-bladed paddles. Canadian canoes shall be propelled solely by means of single bladed paddles. The paddles may not be attached to the boats in any way.

When a race is run on a course with turning points these shall be passed to port (i.e. anti-clockwise) unless otherwise directed.

When a canoe or kayak is overtaking another canoe or kayak, it is the duty of the overtaking craft to keep clear of other competitors at all times.

When a canoe or kayak is racing in a group of competitors it is the duty of all the competitors in the group to keep clear of other competitors at all times. This rule applies to any manouvering within the group.

Any competitor who is considered by a course umpire or race official to have been responsible for a collision, or who damages the canoe or kayak or paddle of another competitor or unnecessarily deviates from their course may be disqualified.

Each boat must carry sufficient buoyancy, either in the construction of the boat or fixed subsequently, to keep the boat floating level when filled with water. The scrutinizers may float test the boat if buoyancy is not apparent after a visual inspection. If the organizers so decide for safety reasons, additional buoyancy must be fitted to each boat such that it will give support to the paddlers when in the water and/or every competitor shall wear a buoyancy aid and/or other specified equipment. Such requirements shall be named on the entry form.

Any competitor failing to observe such a direction shall be refused the right to start. If he has started he shall be disqualified.

Competitors participate at their own risk. Neither the organizers nor the ICF can be held responsible for accidents or material damage which may occur during a race.

Every official is required to observe that the safety measures are being adhered to, and prevent boats or competitors from starting or continuing if they fail to meet the requirements laid down in the rules.

Marathon Racing may involve participants in dangerous situations. It is a requirement that any competitor seeing another in real danger shall render all assistance in his power. Failure to do so may involve disqualification.

The finishing line is reached when the bow of the canoe or kayak with the competitor/s in it has passed the line between the flags. If two or more boats reach the finishing line at the same time, they get the same classification.

Competitors may only portage at points designated by the race organisers.

Doping as defined in the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code is strictly forbidden. Doping control shall be conducted in accordance with the ICF doping control regulations under the supervision of the ICF Medical Committee.

After the ending of all international Marathon Competitions listed in the Competition Calendar of the ICF, two copies of the results must be air mailed to the ICF Secretary General, and one to the Chairman of the Marathon Racing Committee.

World Championships may be arranged every year with the consent of the ICF Board of Directors, at a time and place approved by it, and in accordance with the ICF Marathon Racing Rules. The World Championships shall be open only to member federations of the ICF.

In the Olympic events, a valid World Championships is held only if at least six (6) federations from at least three (3) Continents start in the event. If during the event some federations drop out or do not finish, the validity of the Championships is not affected.

For the Non-Olympic events, a valid World Championships is held only if there a at least six (6) federations in each event and there must be at least three (3) Continents starting overall in the competition. If during the event some federations drop out or do not finish, the validity of the Championships is not affected.

Championships are restricted to the following classes:

Entries shall be limited to two (2) boats per nation per class, World Championships shall be held over 2 days, and each race shall be completed in one stage, i.e. non-stop.

The order of the events shall be as follows:

The course for a World Championship shall be of a type within the normal and general experience of the federations organising Marathon Racing competitions. It should include a limited number of portages, normally at least 2.

The recommended distance should be such that the winner of each class shall record a time of not less than two and a half hours and not more than three hours.

For juniors the distance shall be not less than 18 km and not more than 22 km.

Federations wishing to arrange a World Championship must have submitted the proposed course and technical arrangements for the inspection of the ICF Marathon Racing Committee and received its approval before submitting their application to the ICF Board of Directors.

Invitations to World Championships shall be issued by the organising national federation and shall be in accordance with the ICF Rules and regulations. Invitations shall be sent out at least (3) three months before the date of the Championships.

Entries from national federations shall state the number of competitors and this must be in the hands of the organising federation at least 45 days before the competition. This number shall include substitutes and team officials. The names of the competitors in each class must be received by the organising federation not later than 14 days before the competition.

Substitutes may be entered according to the rules given in paragraph 13 and 15. No entry received after the closing date shall be accepted.

At least 1 month before the competition, the federations shall receive a provisional programme with starting times and the number of entries from each participating federation in each class. The final programme shall be available 3 days before the competition and shall contain.

39.Drawing of lots

The drawing of lots for the starting position in each class shall be carried out under the control of an ICF official and the supervision of the president of the organising federation or his delegate.

Final authority at the World Championships shall rest with a Jury composed of up to five persons appointed by the ICF Board of Directors.

One of these persons - either the President of the ICF or some prominent person in the ICF - shall be appointed chairman of the Jury. Subordinate to the Jury are the Chief Official and other officials according to paragraph 9 with the addition of a Chief Medical Officer.

The boat controllers will check boats by means of the usual equipment. At the end of the race the first four boats will be checked again.

The championships medals shall be given according to the Olympic protocol. The medals shall be given in three values, gilded, silvered and bronze and shall be furnished by the ICF at the expense of the organising national federation. The medals must on no account be presented to any other persons than those who have won the championship races.
Only medals, to the exclusion of other prizes, are to be presented at the official ceremony. Other prizes may be presented on an occasion other than this ceremony.

To maintain the dignity and solemnity of the presentation ceremony the competitor receiving medals must wear training suits or national uniform.

Doping as defined in the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code is strictly forbidden. Doping control shall be conducted in accordance with the ICF Doping control regulations under the supervision of the ICF Medical Committee.

The results of World Championships, reports of any protests made, and other necessary documents concerning the races, must be sent to the ICF Secretary General by the organising national federation not later than 30 days after the end of the Championships.