Youth Runner Program

Youth Runner Safety, Qualifications Criteria and Sponsorship Program

In order to permit and support youth runners there are specific guidelines and safety provisions put in place to allow safe participation. This is a unique approach in the ultra running community. We hope this will allow our young athletes to push themselves and develop physically and mentally in a safe way.  Our approach follows guidelines set out by medical research undertaken by the Sport Science Institute in Switzerland and advice from local Medical Professionals.

Minimum Age at Race Day

• 106km /53km Events: 16 years
• 20km Event: 14 years

Qualification Criteria

• Completion of the Youth Participation Application, outlining running history, appropriate training plan and motivation for entering the Event.
• Confirmation that the following qualifying runs / races have been completed or will be completed prior to Event Date (no more than 12 months prior to the Event). This can be done either through an official event or done in training with supporting evidence of completion (note that these need to be completed and confirmed prior to the Event date):
  • 106km Mega Trail: Minimum 55km event / training run;
  • 53km Coastal Trail:Minimum 30km event / training
  • 20km Beach Burn: Minimum 10km event  / training run (this requirement only applies to Runners under 16 year of age at Race day)
• Confirmation of Parental (Guardian) sign off and participation as support crew on the day of the Event.

Parental Support and Approval

• It’s crucial that our young athletes are supported by their parents through their training journey and on race day. Each Youth Runner will require parental / guardian approval including any medical sign off deemed appropriate as well as providing support through the training program and on race day.

Race Day Safety Provisions

• The Event races take place in off road trails in a semi-remote setting. The Race Crew and Medical Teams have access to the majority of the course if required for emergency assistance.
• There are fully supported checkpoints along the courses with an average distance between checkpoints of 9km and no more than 16km. While some of these will not be open to the general support crews on race day, there will be specific provisions in place to allow junior support crews full access to all check points. It is a condition of Youth Participation that their Support Crew attends every checkpoint.
• During race day, the Event Organisers, along with their Medical Team will withdraw any Youth Competitor if it is deemed unsafe for them to continue. For the safety of our youth runners, this will be conservatively assessed and strictly enforced.

Youth Entry Procedure

• For all Runners under 18 entering the 53km and 106km event, and Runners under 16 entering the 20km event:
  • Please download the application and waivers below and email the completed documents to us at run@ultratrailjervisbay.com.au. We will get back in touch with you directly.
• For Runners between 16-17 entering the 20km event, just go straight to the Registration Page, complete the details and you can enter straight into the event. Please note that you will need your parent / guardian to sign the waiver.