Aiding a Cross Country Runner: What are Officials' Responsibilities?
Photo: Waseca County News
There have been several stories in recent years from state championship cross country meets where runners who are in distress are helped by opponents, particularly near the finish area. These stories are applauded for the show of sportsmanship.
During the 2014 Minnesota State High School League’s cross country state meet, two runners were lauded for their roles of sportsmanship in assisting an opponent that appeared to be in physical distress about 100 yards from the finish line. All three were disqualified for violating NFHS rules for aiding a runner.
In these scenarios, what are the officials’ responsibilities?
Officials are well-educated on the rules about aiding a runner and are reminded about protocols prior to each meet. Part of this protocol is to guarantee that a runner that should not be moved without medical assistance is not moved by the officials, teammates and other competitors, coaches and spectators.
In the Minnesota example, a meet official was near the fallen runner and immediately attempted to warn runners during the race that they would be disqualified if they offered assistance.
Race rules protocols should be covered in a pre-race meeting of officials. To honor the rule during a race, if a runner begins to show physical stress, the official will:
Watch the individual and offer aid without having contact.
Ask the runner if he or she needs assistance, as well as restricting others from having direct contact with the athlete.
Notify the medical team at the finish line of a runner that might be at risk.
Officials diligently work to have runners finish under their own power while making sure they can bring help immediately if needed or desired by the runner.
