Series Rules, Scoring, and Prize Structure

Prior to 2023, we scored only the top 15 male and female racers in each race, giving the top racer 15 points and the 15th place a single point, and we had a similar scoring for the age groups with no one else scoring. We also required only four races at that time. As of 2023, we revamped the scoring so more people have a chance to earn the top spots in age group categories. Now, everyone is scored, creating a more robust process, which necessarily means more computation time each race. The rules as of 2025 follow.

1. All races are scored the same and there are no double point races.
2. Points are awarded fractionally to all racers in descending order. The fastest person gets the most points and the slowest gets the least.
3. Out of each year’s available races, racers must participate in no fewer than five races for 2025 and no fewer than six races starting in 2026, to place in the standings.
4. The following age groups will be scored in each race: 19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+ for both men and women.
5. Each runner’s age will be determined by the registered age of the runner at his or her first completed series race and will remain constant for the entire series.
6. Awards will be announced in December or January and will be presented at the GRRC banquet as follows:

• Overall Men: 1st through 10th places
• Overall Women: 1st through 10th places
• Men & Women Age Groups: 1st through 3rd places in all age groups

NOTE: There will be no “double dipping” for the 1st – 3rd overall men and women, since they will receive monetary awards. In other words, they will not be eligible as Age Group winners. Awards not claimed at the banquet or one of a handful of subsequent pick-up dates/location will be forfeited.

7. The overall Men’s and Women’s champions will be declared “Rochester Runner of the Year.”
8. You must race the year’s minimum required aces to be in contention for awards. However, your top six will be scored, so the more you do, the better your chance to get an award. Ex.
   

   Racer Name	# Raced	# Scored	Total Points
   Fast N. Furious	4	4	40
   I.M. Fun	6	6	32
   B. Roken Laces	9	6	9
   L. Ots O’Miles	12	6	0

   Ties for First place only will be broken by head-to-head competition (see explanation below). If the tie still remains, and for places other than First, the tied athletes will be given the same place. There are separate rankings for the Overall and Age Group divisions. Awards go to the First through Third places for Overall awards. Those winners are ineligible for Age Group Awards. Fourth through Tenth place overall winners are eligible for age group awards.

9. There is no residency or GRRC membership requirement. All registered runners completing a series race are eligible for points.
10. GRRC members who have completed at least six of the RROY Series races will be eligible for a Consistent Participant Award. If not a member, you must join the GRRC prior to the completion of the last race in the series to qualify for the Consistent Participant Award.
11. Any and all questions and protests will be decided by the RROY Series Committee.

Head-to-Head tiebreaker explained:

If a tie exists for first place overall after calculating the scores for the competitors’ best six races, then the winner will be determined by which competitor finished ahead of the other the greatest number of times in series races in which they both ran. If this tiebreaker rule still results in a tie, then they will be named co-champions.