Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS HANDICAPPED RUNNING?
In handicap running, competitors start at different positions on the track dependant upon their ability. The backmarker is generally the more naturally gifted athlete and starts behind everyone else. The handicaps are designed to even up the competition just like horse racing so that the running is more fascinating and unpredictable and gives everyone a chance. Athletes such as Joshua Ross, Steve Brimacombe, Brad Jamieson, Mark Ormrod, Nova Peris and Tamsyn Lewis have overcome large handicap starts to win in South Australian Athletic League events and used the sport to enhance their way to represent Australia.
WHAT HANDICAP DO I GET WHEN I FIRST START?
Initial Handicap Allocation When a SAAL registered athlete enters a particular distance in an open event forthe first time they will be allocated a starting handicap based on their best performance over that or a similar distance or the novice mark whichever is the lesser.
The maximum initial handicap an athlete can receive is the novice handicap for that distance, subject to the conditions listed below. Athletics South Australia (ASA) members will be allocated the novice mark or less based upon their ASA (& other Athletics Australia related) performances.
Where an athlete is new to the sport and has no performances orresultsin any formof organized athletics,whether it be professional, amateur or beach sprints, the novice marks outlined in the Rules of Competition will apply - please go to our teamapp page.
WHERE AND WHEN ARE SA ATHLETIC LEAGUE RUNNING COMPETITIONS HELD?
Around 15 athletic carnivals are scheduled each season between October and Easter. Once carnival dates are confirmed you can get more details on our events page.
The Bay Sheffield Carnival will be held on the 27th and 28th of December with this year being the 136th running of our historic event. This year the Bay Sheffield will be making a much anticipated trip home to Colley Reserve. Athletes come from all over Australia to compete. Athletes compete in handicapped racing which aims to give people of all abilities a chance to win the lucrative prize-money events. The feature events are the 120m men’s and women’s races held on the 28th December.
WHAT DISTANCES ARE RUN DURING A SA ATHLETIC LEAGUE COMPETITION?
Each meeting comprises a selection of Sprint races (70m, 100m, 120m, 200m, 300m and 400m) and Middle Distance races (550m, 800m, 1000m, 1600m and 3200m).
WHAT CATEGORIES OF RACES ARE AVAILABLE?
Open events allow anyone to compete regardless of age or gender. At most meetings there are also separate events for Women, Over 35 Athletes, Under 14 Athletes, Under 18 Athletes and Novices (those runners who have not won a race over a distance category).
WHO CAN I TRAIN WITH?
The SA Athletic League has many registered and experienced coaches who are willing to help athletes improve their technique, fitness and speed. Just contact the League Office during business hours for advice regarding finding a coach in your area. Many have completed a Coach Profile.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF COMPETING?
The winner of each event receives a sash and prizemoney is presented to the winner and placegetters. Well known racecaller Terry McAuliffe provides runners and spectators with a commentary of each race. You also get to meet and mix with other successful athletes and coaches, whilst also competing in front of many spectators. At the Bay Sheffield, bookmakers are involved, which allows the crowd to become directly involved in the action.
WHAT AGE DO I HAVE TO BE TO COMPETE?
For most events you need to be 14 years old or older to enter, however if you are 11 years or older you can compete in our junior races (Under 14 and Under 18).
WHAT DOES IT COST TO COMPETE?
A registration fee is payable at the beginning of each season. You are also required to pay an entry fee for each race you want to compete in (this must be paid at least a month before the competition date).
CAN I COMPETE INTERSTATE?
Yes. The League participates in the National Registration System, which permits athletes who compete with the SA Athletic League to run at other meetings around Australia without being required to pay an additional registration fee. This includes the famous Gifts at Stawell (Victoria), Maryborough (Victoria) and Burnie (Tasmania). Similarly, athletes that are registered with other Leagues around the country can enter SA Athletic League events - over 150 interstate athletes compete in South Australia at events such as the Bay Sheffield Carnival, the Camden Classic Carnival, and the Nippys Loxton Gift Carnival.
WHY SHOULD I RUN WITH THE SA ATHLETIC LEAGUE?
Athletes compete with the SA Athletic League for many reasons. Top class runners find it challenging, as they have to chase the frontmarkers, whilst others use the athletics to supplement their other sporting pursuits or incomes. For example, many current footballers and umpires keep fit during the summer months by competing with the SA Athletic League. Whatever the reason, the SA Athletic League provides everyone who competes with the opportunity to improve his or her level of fitness.
NOVICE RACE ELIGIBILITY
An athlete can only enter a novice race if he/she has not won a novice, women's or open event in that distance category. The three distance categories are 0-200 metres, 201-600 metres and 601 metres plus.
NET TIMES
The net times for the current season are published on our teamapp page saal.teamapp.com
DOES THE LEAGUE HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION POLICY?
Yes - please see our teamapp page saal.teamapp.com
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?
Email the admin@saal.org.au or phone 0404 350 907. We are located at SA Athletic Stadium, Mile End.
Office Hours: By appointment
CONSTITUTION AND RULES
Please see saal.teamapp.com