Eligibility
In principle, every runner is eligible regardless of club membership. The usual preconditions are:
- physical fitness and a clear bill of sporting health (self-declaration or medical certificate, depending on the event),
- full acceptance of the terms of participation at registration,
- minimum age — commonly 18 for solo entries, often 16 for relays; children's events are governed separately.
For national championship rankings (such as the Austrian Ultra-Running Championship), nomination typically goes through the regional federation's database — only the runner's home club can submit it.
Start and finish signal
A 24-hour run classically begins with a countdown and a starter's gun. After 24 hours a final siren sounds:
- Solo runners stop immediately where they are, and wait for the team that takes the residual-distance measurement.
- Relay teams finish the loop they have started, running it out to the timing mat; only the last fully completed loop counts.
Residual-distance measurement
Residual metres are the part of a started but unfinished final loop. They are taken immediately after the final siren for solo runners — typically by helpers from the host club using a calibrated tape along the measured course. The result feeds into the official final standings and can decide close placings.
Timing
Timing is generally handled via electronic transponders (chip timing); every loop is recorded as the runner crosses the timing mat. Several providers are active in the Austrian scene — among them Pentek-Timing, davengo and raceresult — with broadly similar workflows. For relays without a separate handover zone, per-runner splits cannot be reported; the team should track these itself with running watches or a tally sheet.
Scoring
The total distance in kilometres and metres counts. It is composed of:
- number of completed loops × measured loop length,
- plus residual metres (solo only),
- = overall performance.
Classic ranking classes include: solo male/female (with age-class subdivisions U23, AK1–AK7), relays by size and composition (e.g. mixed), and special rankings such as business or club categories.
Behaviour on the loop
- Slower runners stay right, overtaking happens on the left — particularly important during the night hours.
- Pacers are usually not permitted; family members may handle nutrition at the runner's own camp.
- Headphones are usually allowed, with the caveat that they limit awareness of course directions.
- In emergencies, runners head for the medical tent (often in the sports hall or Stockhalle) — course marshals have radio contact.
Disqualification
Possible grounds for disqualification in the Austrian ultra scene include, among others: course shortcutting, outside help in non-permitted zones, transponder manipulation, gross disregard of course instructions. The decision lies with the race director in coordination with the timing team.
The most frequent questions runners ask — from registration to camp — are collected on the German FAQ page (German only at the moment).