Para Athlete Division Rules Overview

Please read the overview of the para race rules below. The full list of para athlete racing rules including handcycles can be found with the link below.

Full Para Athlete Division Rules

It is up to you to follow the race rules

These rules follow USAT&F Para and World Para Athletics standards

Para Athlete WC/Push Rim

  1. You MUST wear a helmet. NO EXCEPTIONS. No helmet, no race.
  2. You must have two large wheels and one small wheel. The maximum diameter of your big wheels cannot exceed 70cm and the maximum diameter for your small wheel cannot exceed 50cm.
  3. Only ONE round hand rim is allowed per large wheel.
  4. NO mechanical gears or steering devices are allowed on push rims. Only hand operated mechanical steering devices. Handcycles/Hand-cranks are in a division which is considered an exhibition race and do not qualify for the podium.
  5. No part of your chair may protrude behind the vertical plane of the back edge of the rear wheels.
  6. You must ensure no part of your lower limbs can fall to the ground during the race. If you are using a footplate, you must strap your legs/feet.
  7. Wheelchair para athletes will be provided with two race bibs. The race bib with the race tag must be affixed to the front of the para athlete’s body so it can be read easily. The second bib is attached to the front of your race chair.

Visually Impaired(VI)/Ambulatory Para Athlete Guides

  1. Athletes must bring their own guides. Guides must be registered prior to race day. For VI/Visually Impaired and Ambulatory Para Athletes may have only ONE guide for a 5k, 10K or ½ marathon. You may have TWO guides for a full marathon. It is up to you to arrange to meet your second guide and to get the first guide back to the finish area. If, on a rare occasion a third guide is needed please reach out to Deb Carabet, the Para Athlete Coordinator deborah@mccourtfoundation.org .
  2. Guides must be registered with the athlete they are guiding prior to race day/race week.
  3. Guides MUST wear their official guide bib on the front of their shirt while racing. The method of guidance is up to the para athlete. The VI athlete may choose to use an elbow lead, a tether or run free. Strapping or tying the hands of the para athlete and guide to one another is not permitted. The tether if used, must be a minimum of 5cm(2inches) in length between the hands of the guide and VI athlete. The VI athlete may receive verbal cues from their guides.
  4. Guides are NOT allowed to lead, propel or pull their para athlete. Guides must be equal to or just behind their para athlete.
  5. Guides must be slightly behind the para athlete as they cross the finish line.

Any questions, please reach out to the ASICS Los Angeles Marathon Para Athlete coordinator at deborah@mccourtfoundation.org