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Rules and Guidelines
No. 1: Have fun with your dog!
Age
groups and distances (human)
Age groups and distances (dogs)
What equipment do I need?
Control
Borrowing of dogs
Closing date and Pay-on-the-day
Timetable/classes/cancellation/refunds/credit
General
Your responsibilities
The course
Camping (selected venues only)
Age
groups and distances (human)
As our race season runs from 1 Sep to 31 May, the class you compete in
for the whole season is determined by your age at 31 May (at the end of
the season). For example, the classes you can enter, if on 31 May you
are:
- Age 10* is: H
- Age 13* are: M / F / H+
- Age 17 are: M / F / XM / XF / H+
- Age 40 are: VM / VF / XM / XF / H+
- Age 50 are: VM+ / VF+ / XM / XF / H+
The following distance restrictions apply:
- Age 10* to 12 up to 3.5km
- Age 13* to 16 up to 6km
- Age 17 to 19 up to 10km
- Age 20 and over any distance
*Entrants as young as 9yrs 3mths can enter ‘H’
class. Entrants as young as 12yrs 3mths can enter ‘M’ and 'F'
classes. Some events will have short courses for those too young to enter.
Age
groups and distances (dogs)
Dogs must be at least one year old on the day of the race. Dogs under
one year old are not able to compete. The following distance restrictions
apply:
- Age 1 to 2: up to 6km
- Age 2 and over: any distance
We advise you build your dogs distance up over several
weeks/months. During training runs and hot weather (over 16°c) some
breeds (ie those with short muzzles) may have difficulty cooling themselves.
If your dog is overweight, unfit, not used to exercise, recovering from
illness, of advancing years, or you have any doubt about your dogs ability,
please consult your vet.
- Always carry water with you – there are camel
packs (designed for running) that hold up to 3 litres and folding dog
bowls for this purpose.
- Do not train for long distances during hot weather
(over 16°c). If your dog is unfit and not used to exercise, it may
suffer from heat exhaustion in lower temperatures.
- Familiarise yourself with your dog’s normal
behaviour while running. If at any time sh/e shows any signs they are
struggling (excessive foaming at the mouth, shaking the head or pulling
to the side), immediately find a shaded place to stop (preferably with
a cool breeze) and give them some water.
- Watch your dogs behaviour for 1/2hr after your run
– this is the most critical time when sh/e is likely to overheat.
If entering a race with a distance over 6km, you must
convince CaniX UK that your dog is fit enough to run.
CaniX UK reserve the right to refuse a dog on the start
line if deemed unfit.
What equipment do I need?
If you already run with your dog, you are already
doing CaniX. No special equipment is needed, but for
you and your dogs comfort – the following items are recommended:
The following items are NOT
allowed:
- Studded boots
- Choke chains or any collar
that constricts your dog’s throat
- Muzzles (other than racing greyhound type muzzle)
- Flexi leads
Your line (whether a CaniX line or a lead) together
with waist belt (if worn) should be no longer than 2–2.5meters (6–8
feet).
All equipment will be checked by the organisers before
running.
Control
An element of control of your dog is desirable!
The only brakes you have are your feet which can be
precarious on loose gravel trails, wet grass or other surfaces where traction
is not ideal. Remember that your footing will not be as solid when a dog
is pulling you on downward slopes.
Borrowing of dogs
Although the swapping, lending and borrowing of dogs is not prohibited, as the events grow with more competitors, dogs and spectators, safety must be maintained. Anyone running a dog that is not owned by them must disclose this on thier entry form. Ultimatly it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the person they are lending their dog to is able to read the dog’s signals in order to anticipate any problems before they happen and if a situation should occur they are capable of handling it. They must also be confident the dog is sound when approaching and being approached by other dogs. For the safety of the dog being lent out, the runner should also be made aware of the dogs limitations, signs that the dog may be having difficulties and have undertaken a number of training runs before entering a race. If there is any doubt that the runner is not capable or the dog could act unpredictably, the entry should not be submitted or withdrawn. If a situation occurs the owner of the dog will be held responsible.
Closing date
CaniX UK may close the entry prior to the
advertised closing date if entry capacity is reached. If capacity is not
reached, postal entries will remain open until the Wednesday before the
event. We do not take entries on the day of the race.
Timetable/classes/cancellation/refunds/credit
If entries/conditions/temperatures dictate
the race may begin early. Classes may be combined if entries in a particular
class are low (this will not effect championship points). In extreme cases
the event may be cancelled – all competitors will be notified by
email (or tel if you do not have an email). Due to the amount of admin
and organisation that goes into each event, if an event is cancelled we
are unable to offer a refund. Likewise, if an individual is unable to
attend for whatever reason we do not offer refunds or credit towards future
events.
If entries are less than 40, the event may change to
a training run.
General
In all cases the safety and health of you/your dog are paramount. If you/your
dog are not active, it is advised that you/your dog should be checked
out by a doctor/veterinarian before running. The organisers are not held
responsible for any accident or injury sustained during the race. If in
doubt, do not run.
Whilst a runner may run more than once with different
dogs, a dog may only run the course once per day.
All entrants should attend the pre race briefing/safety
talk.
Qualified First Aiders will be available on the day.
Your responsibilities
To help ensure the continued acceptance of the sport and the availability
of trails that will accommodate dogs:
- always pick up after your
dog – carry poop bags with you at all times.
- leave the trail in a good condition.
- pick up small items left
behind by others (i.e. other dog owners, sweet wrappers).
- remember not everyone loves
canines like we do, keep yours under control and on a lead at all times.
- if you have an aggressive
type dog, don't provide the opportunity for it to be out of control.
- although facilities will
be available, we recommend that you bring water for your dog.
- no dogs must be left
unattended in cars.
- no physical or verbal abuse of your dog is allowed.
During the race:
- try and get your dog to
do its business before the start.
- move off the trail if your
dog needs to relieve itself. If your dog relieves itself whole heartedly
in the middle of the trail – pick it up – no one wants to
be running and sliding into your dog’s excrement! Carry poop bags
with you at all times.
- maintain a good rapport with walkers, MTBs, horse
riders and other trail users that you may see on the trail – a
smile or good morning greeting never goes amiss.
- do whatever it takes to make other trail users feel
comfortable and not intimidated or inconvenienced. Always give right
of way. We do not and never will have sole use of trails. Conflicts
may jeopardise our future use of venues so don’t allow a small
isolated situation escalate to the point where we will be unable to
return to a venue.
- when overtaking other runners on narrow trails,
call before overtaking. If being overtaken, keep your dog close. When
passing other runners, each party should ensure this is done safely,
allowing plenty of space for each runner and ensuring dogs do not become
tangled.
- dogs should be attached to the runner at all times
except in cases of danger to dog or runner.
- runners should not go ahead of their dog at any
stage except in cases of danger to dog or runner.
- runners must not pull, drag or force their dog to
go forwards by any means except in cases of danger to dog or runner.
Dogs are allowed to run at heel.
- no bitches on heat.
Disregard of any of the above may result in disqualification
and ban from future events.
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OJ
Mays -
Our smallest marshal
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The course
- Runners start at intervals
and the winner will be the one to complete the course in the fastest
time.
- Markers will be placed at regular intervals
to indicate the direction of the course.
- Marshals will be positioned
along the course with water.
- Please contact marshals
if you/your dog experience difficulties.
- Any form of abuse of marshals will result
in automatic disqualification and possible ban from future events.
Any complaints should be directed at organisers.
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Camping (selected venues
only)
Camping is at your own risk. You are responsible
for the health, welfare and actions of your party and your dog. Picking
up after your dog is essential to ensure we are invited back.
Neither land owners or CaniX UK accept responsibility
for damages or loss including accident or injury resulting from the use
of the camping facilities to either human or canine.
Anybody whose behaviour is considered unacceptable
will be asked to leave.
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