1.0 Event Entries
1.1 Event Requirements
Competitors in an event must be the prescribed age on the day of the scheduled final.
1.2 Standard Entries
Standard Entries will be accepted from registered athletes only upon receipt of a completed entry form accompanied by payment of the prescribed entry fee, provided the entry form is received not later than 5:00pm on the nomination closing date.
1.3 Late Entries
Late Entries will be accepted from registered athletes only upon receipt of a completed entry form accompanied by $10.00, provided the entry form is received not later than 5:00pm on the 5th working day prior to the start of the competition meet. Late Entries may not be listed on the competition program.
1.4 Emergency Entries
Late Entries will be accepted from registered athletes between the close of the Late Entries and the close of Check-in upon the receipt of a completed entry form accompanied by payment of $20.00 Emergency Entries will be under the following conditions.
Track Events:
An Emergency Entrant will be allowed to fill a vacant lane in a programmed heat. Should an emergency entry cause an extra heat to be needed, the emergency entry will not be accepted.
Field Events:
An Emergency Entrant will be allowed to compete only if the athlete's inclusion will not result in an extra qualifying round being required.
General:
Emergency Entries accepted after the start of the Competition meet, who confirmed their availability at the Check-in but where not selected to compete, will be eligible for a refund of their entry fee.

2.0 Check in Procedures
Athletes in all events must report to the "Athletes' Control Centre" or designated area not less than 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time of their event to advise their intention to compete. Failure to comply with this Rule may result in the athlete being scratched from that event. Athletes may be permitted to compete under the following conditions:
I.) A $5 fee be paid for late check-in;
II.) For laned events (heats) if there is a lane available for them in which to compete, on the proviso that no extra heats will be created to accommodate the athlete;
III.) For laned events which have been declared straight finals, if there is a lane available in which the athlete can compete.
Note: It is desirable that athletes who wish to check-in for the first event of the day should have priority over any others checking in for later events.

3.0 Heat Allocation/lane Draw
Thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled starting time for an event, heat allocation and lane draws will be conducted for track events. These will be available at the Marshalling Area.

4.0 Marshalling for Events
Athletes in track events must report to the Marshalling Area no later than fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled starting time for that event.
Athletes in field events may be permitted to complete their warm-ups in the area of competition at an earlier time than fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled starting time for an event, provided the area is not being used for another event and an official is in attendance. In such cases, athletes are to report to the Marshalling Area for further instructions before proceeding into the main arena. No warm-up will be allowed in the Competition area unless an official is present at that area.

5.0 Exclusion from participation in Championships
At all meetings under Rule 12.1(a), (b) and (c), except as provided below, a competitor shall be excluded from participation in all further events in the competition, including relays, in cases where:
I.) a final confirmation was given that the athlete would start in an event but then failed to participate, so that it was not practicable to delete that name officially from the list of starters for that event;
II.) he qualified in preliminaries or heats for further participation in an event but then failed to participate further.
The provision of a medical certificate, endorsed by a medical officer appointed or approved by the IAAF and/or the Organising Committee, may be accepted as sufficient reason to accept that the athlete became unable to compete after confirmations closed or after competing in a previous round but will be able to compete in further events on a subsequent day of the competition.

Note 1: A fixed time for the final confirmation of participation should be published in advance.
Note 2: Failure to participate includes failure to compete honestly with bona-fide effort. The relevant Referee will decide on this and the corresponding reference must be made in the official results. The situation foreseen in this Note will not apply to combined events individual events.

6.0 Uniforms
Any athlete not wearing the approved costume of his/her club, including current registration numbers correctly displayed, one on the back and one on the front, (with the exception of high jump and pole vault competitors who may wear one number) with full sponsorship endorsement visible will not be allowed to compete.
If an exceptional circumstance arises which precludes and athlete from being correctly attired then it is that athlete's responsibility to obtain written permission from the arena manager, allowing him/her to compete.
No event will be delayed whilst an athlete is seeking the above permission, and no athlete will be permitted to compete in a substitute event if he/she misses the nominated event.
In all events, competitors must wear clothing that is clean, designed and worn so as not to be objectionable. The clothing must be made of a material that is non-transparent, even when wet. The competitors must not wear clothing that could impede the view of the judges, eg. Below the knees shorts in walk events.
Athletes must wear their correct club costume to medal presentations, unless weather conditions are such that other attire is appropriate.

ANY CHANGES TO CLUB UNIFORMS SHOULD BE ENDORSED BY ATHLETICS NORTH QUEENSLAND

7.0 Final Times
All finals will be conducted at the times advertised for the event final in the program.

8.0 Progression
In events where heats are conducted, at least 8 competitors will advance to semi-finals or the final. Where semi-finals are held at least 8 competitors will advance to the final. In the case of 1500 metre events, a maximum of fifteen (15) competitors will advance to the final.
No Heats: A straight final will accommodate the maximum numbers allowed on the track.
2 Heats: 1st, 2nd and 3rd places from each heat, plus the next two fastest competitors will progress to the final.
3 Heats: 1st and 2nd places from each heat, plus the next 2 fastest competitors will progress to the final.
4 Heats: 1st, 2nd and 3rd places from each heat plus the next four fastest will advance to the semi-finals.
1500m & Up: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and, depending on the number of heats, the fastest others to bring the next round to fifteen (15).
Note: In the event that more than 2 competitors have equal times, the competitors with higher places will
advance. If placings are equal, a random draw will determine advancement. In all cases, the number of finalists may vary according to the number of lanes on the track.

9.0 Age Limitations
Refer to table on Specifications page.

10.0 Age Group Limitations
Competitors may only compete in their own age group (or in the next higher age group if an event is not offered in their age group) and Open (subject to age limitations).
No athlete may enter two or more age groups, other than Open, in a walk event (different distances), a hurdles event (different distances and heights) or a throwing event (different weights).

11.0 Selection Trials
Athletes who wish to try out in a particular event in an older age group other than their own (not including Open) must apply for permission to do so prior to the close of nominations. If approval is given, then that athlete will not be required to pay an entry fee for that event, nor will he/she be awarded places or medals. The event will be regarded only as a trial for selection for that athlete.

12.0 Crouch Starts and Starting Blocks
Competitors up to and including 11 years will not be required to use starting blocks, they may use either a crouch or standing start. Competitors 12 years and over must use a crouch start (medical certificates may be accepted). Competitors 12 years and older should use starting blocks for events up to and including 400 metres. Competitors competing in a higher age group must abide by the rules of that age group - where an athlete 12 years or younger is the first runner in a relay they will be required to crouch.

13.0 Protests
Protests regarding the result of conduct of an event shall be made within 30 minutes of the official announcement/confirmation/posting of the result of that event.
Any protest shall, in the first instance, be made verbally to the Referee, either by the athlete involved or by someone acting on their behalf. To arrive at a fair decision, the referee should consider all available evidence. The Referee may decide on the protest, or may refer the matter to the Jury of Appeal. If the Referee makes a decision, there shall be a right of appeal to the Jury.
An application to the Jury of Appeal must be in writing, signed by a responsible official on behalf of the athlete, and must be accompanied by the nominated fee before the appeal is heard. The deposit will be forfeited if the protest is considered to be frivolous. To arrive at a fair decision, the Jury of Appeal shall consult all available evidence and interview those persons they consider necessary.

14.0 Variations to Rules
Any variations to the above rules, with the exception of Rule 9 (age limitations) and Rule 13 shall be at the discretion of the Arena Manager.

Guidelines

ANQ Competition Rules are based on current IAAF rules and adapted for local conditions. All ANQ Championships meets will be conducted according to ANQ Competition Rules. It is reccomended that all member Clubs also conduct their competitions according to ANQ Competition Rules. Athletes should always check specific competition rules when competing at State, National and International competitions as they may be different to ANQ Competition Rules.

IAAF Rules books available for purchase from ANQ Office.