Mota-vation Series Race Rules 

  1. UK Athletics rules shall apply, except where variations are set out below. Please note that new rules are due to be published in April 2026. We therefore recommend entrants check the rules again before Race 1. We will highlight any significant changes to the rules to entrants. 
  1. Runners must be over the age of 15 on the day of a race to compete. For the purposes of age categories, age shall be determined as of the day of the first race. Every runner under the age of 18 must have their entry form signed by a parent or guardian, and must be accompanied to and from the race by a responsible adult. 
  1. All runners who are not registered with England Athletics shall be liable to the “full” (non-discounted) entry fee. Any runner who claims registration by membership of a club when not such a member shall be disqualified for the entire series and will not have any entry fees refunded. 
  • 3.1 Runners may compete for only one club during the series. The UK Athletics rule,  that a  runner shall run only for his or her first claim club unless a member of a  school or university club and run for that, will apply. 
  • 3.2 Runners who have run in any race as the member of one club but who leave that  club must inform the Race Director at least one week before running in any  further race. If they wish to run as “unattached” they shall pay the full entry fee  or pay a supplement of £3 (per race if not a series entrant) if already entered and  prepaid; they may run as a member of another club but will not count in that  club’s teams and must not run in that club’s vest. 
  • 3.3 Except as under section 3.2 above, all runners who are entered as members of a  UKA-affiliated club must run in the normal racing vest of that club. Other  runners must not wear the vest of any such club. Failure to observe this rule will  result in a warning on the first occasion and disqualification thereafter. 
  • 3.4 Unattached runners may join a club during the series but will not have any fees  refunded, and shall count as part of that club’s teams only after notifying the  Entries Secretary in writing not less than seven days before a race. 

 4. There will be club and individual competitions.  

  1. Individual competition 
  • 5.1 There will be a men’s series winner and a women’s series winner plus winners  for each gender age group category. 
  • 5.2 Best four of five races count (or one less than the number of races if any  cancelled) 
  • 5.3 Ties are resolved by ‘head to head’ wins and then aggregate times 
  1. Teams Competition 

* From 2025 we have allowed more runners to contribute to a team and give clubs  with a smaller number of entries the chance to compete in a team competition. * 

  • 6.1 Each competition will have separate teams for men and women.  
  • 6.2 There will be a ‘small team’ competition and a ‘large team’ competition  depending on the number of runners from that club entered for the series 
  • 6.3 The ‘large team’ competition will be for clubs with more than 30 entries for men  and more than 20 entries for women at the start of the race series. In 2025, the  large teams were Witney, Headington, Eynsham and Alchester for women’s  competition and Witney, Headington, Alchester and Abingdon for men’s  competition. 
  • 6.4 All other clubs will be in the ‘small team’ competition. 
  • 6.5 Clubs will stay in the same competition during the series regardless of runners  being added or registered runners not competing. 
  • 6.6 In each race, points will be awarded per club per gender for the top 10 finishers  for the large team competition and for the top 4 finishers for the small team  competition. 
  • 6.7 Points are based on the gender position of the runner in the overall race (not age  category position). 
  • 6.8 Scores from all races count towards the final score. 
  • 6.9 “Last place scores” will be added if a team is short of the required number of  runners.  
  • 6.10 There will be no B teams. 
  1. Any runner causing a traffic or other hazard, whether whilst running, parking, or when driving away while the race is still in progress, may be disciplined by the referee and may be disqualified. 
  1. Entrants must comply with marshals before, during and after the race.  When exiting the car-park, particularly when the race is in progress, all vehicles, including bikes must follow the directions of marshals to avoid a hazard and to comply with agreements with the local communities. This may mean a slightly longer route out of the location. Failure to do so could result in disqualification from the race or series.  
  1. Entrants must not go back onto the course for a cool down while the race is still in progress. This will keep the course clear and safe for runners, marshals and the public. In particular, it is a hazard to have runners cooling down in the opposite direction to competitors because it is difficult for vehicles to overtake. At Charlton and Combe, entrants should use the field for cool downs. At other venues, entrants should choose a route away from the course. 
  1. Headphones are not permitted due to all races being on shared usage courses (in line with UKA Rule TR55 S5). For avoidance of doubt, this includes Stratfield Brake.  We have opted to ban bone conducting headphones as well because on open roads, runners need to have full awareness of their surroundings and at all races, need to be able to hear the instructions of marshals. This rule applies to runners using shared usage areas, including roads and recreation grounds for their warm up and cool down. The wearing of headphones will result in disqualification. 
  1. Any behaviour that might be deemed offensive to local residents will result in disqualification from the current race and exclusion from subsequent races. 
  1. Spitting may be treated as a conduct offence and will be dealt with by 
    a warning or disqualification (UKA rule TR7 S2). This rules applies to public areas before, during and after the race.  
  1. Emergency contacts must be provided at the time of entry and written on the back of race numbers. Please note that emergency contact information will be provided to our First Aid provider for the duration of the race and will be destroyed afterwards. 
  1. All medical conditions must be disclosed at time of entry. It is the responsibility of the entrant to inform us of any changes in medical conditions that occur after the time of entry. Entrants are required to write medical conditions on the back of race numbers. Please ensure this is up to date and matches the information provided at (or after) time of entry. Please note that medical information will be provided to our First Aid provider for the duration of the race and will be destroyed afterwards. 
  1. Transfer of race numbers is not permitted. There could be serious consequences if medical information for the wrong runner is used and it could result in incorrect prize allocation. In line with the UKA rules, athletes wearing a number transferred without permission will be disqualified. They, and the original owner of the number will be subject to disciplinary action by UKA, who have banned runners for this.  
  1. If you have to withdraw from a race please inform a marshal or official, then remove your race number. Additionally, it is helpful if you inform the finish line team. We need to know all runners who started the race are accounted for. 
  1. All entrants shall be deemed to have made themselves familiar with and agreed to be bound by the UKA Anti-Doping Rules and to submit to the authority of UK Anti-Doping in the application and enforcement of the Anti-Doping Rules. For more information see UKA RULE G4 S1 and Clean Athletics – England Athletics. 

Additional Terms & Conditions  

Please note the following (in particular, 5-7 relate to legislation that we are required to follow):  

  1. You will carry the same race number for the entire series, even if enter races individually, unless you need to be issued with a fresh number as noted at 3 below. 
  1. A single number will be issued at the first race (or at the first race that you attend) with your chip attached to the back, and this must be attached to your vest on the front using pins on all four corners – you should be careful not to fold the number and should retain it for use in subsequent races.  
  1. If you forget to bring your number subsequently, a fresh number (and chip) can be provided, subject to availability at a cost of £2.50 and that new number must be used subsequently as the timers’ database will be changed.  
  1. Except for Race 5 (Stratfield Brake), all our races use roads having significant amounts of traffic. Although we put out warning signs and have marshals placed at all corners where more than isolated traffic may enter, runners are responsible for keeping to the side of the road unless being crossed by marshals, and for paying attention to traffic. You are reminded that there is a ban on the use of headphones that may prevent runners from hearing traffic that approaches from behind. See Safety Advice for further detail.  
  1. Young persons 
    To assist us in complying with legislation relating to young people, we request that any runner under the age of 18 who is not under the direct supervision of a UKA affiliated club or school should be accompanied to and from each race by a parent or otherwise responsible adult. No separate changing facilities are available. 
    See also point 12 (Photography), below. 
  1. All spectators under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  
  1. Cleanliness 
    We request that all competitors follow due diligence in respect of hygiene and the handling of water and cups that are made available to runners, to assist us in complying with Health and Safety legislation. Similarly, we ask that runners do not urinate in fields as this may lead farmers to ban their use for parking in future [See Rule 8 in the Race Rules which may be invoked without warning].  
     
  1. Disabilities  
    All athletes must compete on foot. Runners with disabilities but who can sign the “fit to run” declaration are welcome, but no special provisions are available. Runners who wish to participate with a guide should advise the organisers in writing at the same time as submitting an entry. Full consideration should be given to other athletes and to conditions, in particular to roads with traffic and to short sections of courses which are on grass. Race 5 is entirely off-road.  
  1. Parking arrangements 
    Where parking is provided by the race organiser, all runners must park as directed and should not abuse this provision or the goodwill of the communities by parking other than in allocated areas.    
  1. Postponements 
    Every effort will be made to rearrange any races that have to be postponed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No refunds will be made should this be impossible, and the number of races required to qualify for series prizes will be reduced to one less than the number of races that are held.  
  1. Publication of Results 
    By entering, you agree that we may publish your Personal Information as part of the results of the Event and may pass such information to the governing body or any affiliated organisation for the purpose of insurance, licences or for publishing results either for the event alone or combined with or compared to other events. Results may include (but not be limited to) name, any club affiliation, race times, and age category.  
  1. Photography 
    We may take photographs of the races for publication on our website, Facebook page and for possible use by the press, and by running you accept this. If you do not wish your image to appear as a significant part of any photograph that is published, you should put a bold red cross across your race number – felt tip pens will be provided at each race for this purpose. If you are under the age of 18, you should put a red cross across your race number, unless your parent, guardian or responsible adult accepts that they are happy for your photograph to be published by us, as above. 
  1. You should ensure that you are present for the race briefing, which happens 10-15 minutes before the start time. There could be last minute changes affecting the route or safety of participants. 

   

All our races use roads that have significant amounts of traffic. Although we put out warning signs and have marshals placed at all corners where more than isolated traffic may enter, runners are responsible for keeping to the side of the road unless being crossed by marshals and for paying attention to traffic. 

Safety Advice 

Our courses are predominantly “left hand” courses, and all runners must keep to the left except where explicitly directed to the right by marshals. Other than this, running on the right to cut corners will be deemed a “hazard” and risk disqualification under the Race Rules. 

Runners are reminded that the ban on use of headphones is there for safety reasons, to ensure that you can be aware of traffic without distraction. The signature on your entry form acknowledges that you accept that any use will result in immediate disqualification. 

By the same token, all competitors should pay due regard to runners when driving, whether on arrival or on any early departure. We cannot restrict other drivers, but at all races early leavers will be directed to drive away from oncoming runners; failure to follow instructions will be deemed to be causing a hazard under the Race Rules, as will parking on the course or on a side road rather than the designated car park to facilitate early departure, and render the offender liable for disqualification. gnated car park to facilitate early departure, and render the offender liable for disqualification.