Documents & Policies

Club Event Medical Policy

This policy has been adopted by the CAT board on 01/09/2024.

All CATS running events and group runs pose significant risks that each participant is responsible for accepting. Most of our events take place on trails, thus creating situations where immediate medical attention is simply not possible. Further, some areas of trail present access difficulties which can create significant delay in emergency response to an accident, sometimes hours. Severe injuries are possible from terrain, weather, other participants, wildlife, trees/tree limbs, hypothermia, hyperthermia, lightening, vehicles, and countless other unforeseen situations such as cardiac arrest or other participant health conditions. While the event organizers will work to get medical help to an injured runner as soon as possible, each runner must accept responsibility for their own health, safety, and well-being prior to participating in our events and group runs. CATS events and group runs do not provide medical goods or services and we may not have medical personnel in case of injury. Runners are encouraged to always carry a phone and any medical needs they may require during participation in rigorous exercise outside away from immediate help. Further, each runner should have their own specific plan in case of emergency.

Club Membership Waiver

I agree that I am a member of Charlottesville Area Trail Runners, and I know that running in and volunteering for organized group runs, social events, and races with this club are potentially hazardous activities, which could cause injury or death. I will not participate in any club-organized events, group training runs, or social events unless I am medically able and properly trained, and by my signature, I certify that I am medically able to perform all activities associated with the club and am in good health, and I am properly trained. I agree to abide by all rules established by the club , including the right of any official to deny or suspend my participation for any reason whatsoever. I attest that I have read the rules of the club and agree to abide by them. I assume all risks associated with being a member of this club and participating in club activities which may include: falls, contact with other participants, the effects of the weather, including high heat and/or humidity and storms, and cold and freezing weather unpredictable trail conditions, including but not limited to tree roots, rocks, ruts, mud, river crossings, wild animal encounters, and darkness, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts and inconsideration of your accepting my membership, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the Charlottesville Area Trail Runners, the city of Charlottesville, and the Road Runners Club of America, all club sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation with the club, even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons named in this waiver.

Policy on Transgender Runners

This policy has been adopted by the CAT board on 01/09/2024.

We respect the personal rights and dignity of those who experience gender in ways outside of the traditional male/female dichotomy. We will accept each entrant’s declared gender at face value. For the purpose of overall and age group awards, we will adhere to the, World Athletics policy on transgender runners , however individual race directors have the ultimate discretion.