GENERAL:

-A runner who is awarded GFRC Grand Prix (GP) points for a designated GFRC Grand prix race has to be (1) a current member, or one who is within the renewal grace period, (2) officially entered and subsequently being the person listed as finishing in the race, (3) if late for the start, start before the first GFRC racer finishes, (4) Any racer can opt to not receive points and/or have his/her name published, (5) in communication with a GP director within two weeks of the first of the month following the Grand Prix race in which they didn't see his or her name listed in the results. Participants must report any non-GP series races (i.e. marathons, ultras, half marathons) for which they wish to receive GP points within 30 days of the completion of the race (or by the end of May if the race is in May). 

-A member can participate at any point in the series. By reason of being a member, a member whose name is listed in the results of a designated GP race will be included in the club's GP results for that race (unless exercising the #4 provision above). Awardees are welcome to submit statistical arguments supporting changes in their age-graded times; this is not strongly encouraged - although not discouraged either. 

-As we've done since 2005, points awarded will be based on age-grading. Age-grading is a statistical translation of a runner's time that accounts for an individual's age, gender, and race distance so that race performances by runners of all ages can be compared. We used to group people by ten-year age groups (e.g. men 40-49, women 50-59, etc). Using age-grading corrects the unfair disparity that can occur in the numbers of participants in each age-group category (e.g., say, only 2 in 60-69, while 12+ in 40-49).  The WAVA Age Grading Calculator is used to calculate age graded times.

-The top age-graded performance in a Grand Prix race for the men and women is each worth 15 points for each category:  45 and older and under 45 years. The second-best age-graded performance for both men and women is worth 14 points, etc. No runner will receive fewer than 5 points for a Grand Prix race so that the top 10 age-graded men and women in each Grand Prix race will receive extra points. Also, the genders will be scored separately, as they always have been. Only one Grand Prix race's points per month will be added to a runner's total when the runner completes more than one race; the higher of the points earned will be the one added. Trophies will be awarded to the top 7 male and the top 7 female point-earners at the end of the series.


Marathons/Half Marathons/Ultra Races In Place of Grand Prix Races (not in addition to):
-In order to receive points for the GP series you must run in a race that is organized, measured, timed, and advertised to the general public on Coolrunning or on some similarly recognized public forum. Your participation must be verified by the GP Directors.

-Marathoners will receive 12 points for each of two marathons per series, but each one has to be the only marathon counted within a month. 

- Half Marathoners will receive 8 points for up to three half marathons per series, but each one has to be the only half marathon counted within a month. 

- Ultra runners will receive 15 points for one ultra race (50K or greater) during the series. 

-Runners can mix and match these distances for UP TO 28 POINTS total to be added to their GP point total. If a Grand Prix race is run in the same month, and the points earned at that GP race are higher than those earned for the marathon/half marathon/ultra, only the GP race points will be added to the runner's series total. If the points earned for the marathon/half marathon/ultra are higher or equal, only that race's points will be added. If you complete 15 miles of a marathon and fail to finish the race you will receive 7 GP points and must still adhere to the rule regarding marathon points. Because members run different races all over the country, participants will have to make sure the GP directors are informed within 30 days (and before the end of the month in May) of any race they run for which they desire GP points.

THE SHIRT:
“The shirt” is back! Anyone who runs at least 12 of the GP races receives a shirt; in addition, anyone who runs 12 races AND receives at least 100 points in the series receives an EXTRA SPECIAL shirt. The 2013 shirt will be different than the 2012 shirt…so there is still incentive to “go for it.” Please note that marathons, half-marathons, and ultras completed that are not an official GP race (even if they give you GP points) DO NOT count towards GP race total for shirt; however, the “any half marathon” in October does count as it is an official GP race.


Relays in the 2012-2013 GP Series:
- GP race directors will pre-designate specific relays as part of the 2012-2013 GP series. These will be races where the club enters teams. Each club member that runs in those relay events on a GFRC team will each receive 10 GP points (with exception as noted below*)

- There will be no limit as to the designated relays a club member can run in the 2012-2013 GP series and receive points, however; runners will receive points for only ONE race per month (i.e., race or relay).

- The currently designated relays include the Marathon Cup Challenge Relay* & the 2012 Lake Winnie Relay. More relays may be designated.

- GP points for relays are earned for a given month. They are not in addition to any GP points earned in another GP race for the same month. A runner will earn the higher of 10 GP points for participating in one relay for the month or the actual points they earn in the other GP race for the month. A runner will not earn two sets of points if they run two separate relays in a given month.

- We reserve the right to add additional features to the relay point system in the future.

*The Marathon Cup Challenge Relay will continue to be age graded as a regular Grand Prix race as it has been in the past with one important change. No participant will receive less than 10 points for participating in this relay. The five top age-graded finishers will continue to receive 11-15 points, based upon their time. The remaining participants will each receive 10 points.

For questions or comments concerning the Grand Prix race series, please contact our Grand Prix directors at: GrandPrix [at] gfrcrun.org