THE RULES

Track and field is a game, and games have rules. While the Big C is aligned with almost all National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules, we do have some unique ones that need to be explained.

General

  • Sportsmanship. At the Big C we not only encourage sportsmanship, but we require respect to be shown to all competitors, officials, and volunteers. Vulgar, profane, or demeaning language will not be tolerated. If this occurs, the individual or relay team will be disqualified. During the King of the Hill, the baton will be gently handed to the next best team. If the baton is mistreated (thrown to the ground, tossed to the next team) the team will be disqualified.

  • Uniforms. While this is not a state meet, we do want athletes to show up prepared for competition. Relay teams should have matching tops and bottoms (the exception is in coed relays, where the bottoms can vary from boys to girls). All undergarments should be a solid color (black, white, etc.) with no design besides a logo.

  • Spikes. We are fortunate to have access to a climate controlled facility for this meet. We want to take care of it as much as possible. To that end, all spikes must be 3/16” or shorter.

Field Events

  • Long Jump. Due to space constraints on the track, each athlete will be given two jumps during prelims. To ease the stress of athletes also competing in high jump, all long jumpers will be in a single flight (based on gender) with no set order. This provides the flexibility for an athlete to get a mark in the high jump before the bar is raised and then return to the long jump. The top eight athletes will return for the finals, where each athlete will be given three jumps in a set order.

  • High Jump. Starting height for girls is 4’0”. Starting height for boys is 5’0”. The majority of the event will be run in a Five-Alive format (see below). The top eight athletes will return for the finals, where each athlete will be given three jumps per height in a set order. Athletes participating in the Pentathlon will have no minimum starting height, since points must be awarded for each event.

  • Shot Put. Prelims will be run in a 2-In-2-Out format (see below). The minimum distance to record a throw is 20’ (girls) and 25’ (boys). The top eight athletes will return for the finals, where each athlete will be given three throws in a set order, all being measured.

  • Discus. Prelims will be run in a 2-In-2-Out format (see below). The minimum distance to record a throw is 45’ (girls) and 60’ (boys). The top eight athletes will return for the finals, where each athlete will be given three throws in a set order, all being measured.

  • Pole Vault. Because this event is no longer part of the normal Alaska meet schedule, on years when athletes wish to compete, the starting height is whatever the athlete wants to attempt.

  • Lord of the Throwing Ring. This award is given to the athlete who throws the furthest cumulative distance in the shot put and discus. On certain occasions, an athlete will participate in the Pentathlon and also wish to compete for the “Lord of the Throwing Ring.” Because the Pentathlon includes the shot put as one of its five events, the distance thrown will be added to the distance thrown in the discus.

Track Events

  • DQ. No disqualification for the first false start. Because the Big C is so early in the season, we want to give athletes the best opportunity to finish a race and get a time. If the same athlete false starts twice in a row, they will be disqualified.

  • Seeding. Most prelims are organized based on seed times. At the Big C, we want athletes to compete against the clock to advance into the semis. Therefore, all seeding will be random during prelims. The top eighteen will advance to the semis. The top six will compete in the finals. During an invitational event, times will be based off of seed times (previous season best or current season best, to include time trials).

Formats

  • Five-Alive. Five athletes will begin the event at the starting height, each having three attempts. Once one athlete clears, another will be brought in. This process will be repeated until all athletes have either cleared or missed the bar, at which time the bar will be moved up.

  • 2-In-2-Out. For each flight, a thrower will enter the circle in a set order and throw the shot put/discus two consecutive times. Each throw will be marked, but only the furthest of the two will be measured and recorded. The flight will cycle through twice, providing each athlete with four throws before proceeding to the next flight.