The Rules

THE RACE WALKING ASSOCIATION
[The following is the current wording of the I.A.A.F. Rule covering Race Walking. Note that there is reference in Rule 230 to various other I.A.A.F. Rules; a complete set of the Rules is available to download here.]

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETICS FEDERATIONS
SECTION VII – RACE WALKING EVENTS
RULE 230
Race Walking

Definition of Race Walking
1. Race Walking is a progression of steps so taken that the walker makes contact with the ground, so that no visible (to the human eye) loss of contact occurs. The advancing leg shall be straightened (i.e. not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until the vertical upright position.

Judging
2. (a) The appointed judges of Race Walking shall elect a Chief Judge, if one has not been appointed previously.
(b) All the Judges shall act in an individual capacity and their judgements shall be based on observations made by the human eye.
(d) For road races, there should normally be a minimum of six to a maximum of nine Judges including the Chief Judge.
(e) For track races, there should normally be six Judges including the Chief Judge.

Chief Judge
3. (a) In competitions held under Rule 1(a), (b), (c), (d), the Chief Judge has the power to disqualify an athlete inside the stadium when the race finishes in the stadium or in the last 100m when the race takes place solely on the track or on the road course, when his/her mode of progression obviously fails to comply with the paragraph 1 above regardless of the number of previous Red Cards the Chief Judge has received on that athlete. An athlete who is disqualified by the Chief Judge under these circumstances shall be allowed to finish the race.
(b) The Chief Judge shall act as the supervising official for the competition, and act as a Judge only in the special situation noted in paragraph (a) above in competitions under IAAF Rule 1(a), (b), (c) and (d). In competitions held under IAAF Rule 1(a), (b) and (c), a maximum of two Chief Judge’s Assistants shall be appointed. The Chief Judge’s Assistant(s) are to assist with the notification of disqualifications only and shall not act as Race Walking Judges.

Caution
4. Athletes shall be cautioned when, by their mode of progression, they are in danger of failing to comply with paragraph 1 above by showing the athletes a yellow paddle with the symbol of the offence on each side.
They cannot be given a second caution by one and the same Judge for the same offence. Having cautioned an athlete, the Judge shall inform the Chief Judge of his action after the competition.

Red Cards
5. When a Judge observes an athlete failing to comply with paragraph 1 above by exhibiting visible loss of contact or a bent knee during any part of the competition, the Judge shall send a Red Card to the Chief Judge.

Disqualification
6. (a) When three Red Cards from three different Judges have been sent to the Chief Judge, the athlete is disqualified and he shall be notified of this disqualification by the Chief Judge or a Chief Judgeís Assistant by showing the athlete a red paddle. The failure to give notification shall not result in the reinstatement of a disqualified athlete.
(b) In all competitions, either directly controlled by the IAAF or taking place under IAAF permit, in no circumstances shall the Red Cards of two Judges of the same nationality have the power to disqualify.
(c) In track races, an athlete who is disqualified shall immediately leave the track and, in road races, shall, immediately after being disqualified, remove the distinguishing numbers and leave the course. Any disqualified athlete who fails to leave the course or track may be liable to further disciplinary action in accordance with IAAF Rules 22.1(f) and 145.2.
(d) For all IAAF Rule 1(a) competitions, hand held computer devices with transmission capability must be used by the judges to communicate all Red Cards to the Recorder and the Posting Board(s).

The Start
7. The races shall be started by the blasting of a Horn. The commands and procedure for races longer than 400m shall be used (Rule 162.3). In races which include a large number of athletes, a five-minute warning before the start of the race should be given, with additional warnings if required.

Safety and Medical
8. (a) In competitions held under IAAF Rule 1(a), (b) and (c), the events shall be scheduled to start and finish in daylight.
(b) An athlete shall retire at once from the race if ordered to do so by the Medical Delegate or a member of the official medical staff.

Drinking/Sponging and Refreshment Stations
9. (a) Water and other suitable refreshments shall be available at the start and finish of all races.
(b) An athlete who collects refreshment from a place other than the refreshment stations renders himself liable to disqualification by the Referee.

Road Courses
10. (b) Road courses shall be measured in accordance with IAAF Rule 240.3.

Race Conduct
12. If the Referee is satisfied on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise that an athlete has left the marked course thereby shortening the distance to be covered he/she shall be disqualified.