Entry Booklet

General Rules

The 2026 World Masters Athletics Marathon Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, ("Championships") will be held under the regulations of World Athletics as modified for Masters by World Masters Athletics ("WMA") via their Competition Rules and any other special rules specified for this competition.

During the Championships, each athlete will represent a country, and each country has a national Masters athletics organization that is a member of WMA ("National Organization"). Note: if you are unable to locate your National Organization, please e-mail the WMA Secretary General at secretary@world-masters-athletics.org

Eligibility Requirements

The Championships are open only to men and women who are age 35+ (born on or before 11 October 1991) and who are physically fit. Entering the Championships does not require any specific level of performance.

An athlete must be a citizen of the country they will represent, or they must be a resident of that country for a minimum of 3 years. If an athlete has represented a different country at a previous WMA World Championship or Regional Championship, they must have change-of-allegiance paperwork on file with WMA at least 30 days before the registration deadline.

All athletes must meet the requirements of WMA and their National Organization, and they must have their registration accepted by their National Organization in order to be eligible to participate in the Championships. It is each athlete's responsibility to ensure that they understand and meet all the requirements prior to registering for the Championships. An athlete's National Organization has the right to reject registrations of athletes whom they consider ineligible or who do not meet their requirements.

Submission of a registration signifies that the athlete agrees to follow the rules laid down by WMA and the technical and organizing committees. WMA has the right to reject registrations of athletes whom they consider ineligible or who do not meet WMA's requirements.

Age Groups

Athletes will compete in the age groups shown below:

Classifications	Dates Born
Men & Women 35	12 October 1986 – 11 October 1991
Men & Women 40	12 October 1981 – 11 October 1986
Men & Women 45	12 October 1976 – 11 October 1981
Men & Women 50	12 October 1971 – 11 October 1976
Men & Women 55	12 October 1966 – 11 October 1971
Men & Women 60	12 October 1961 – 11 October 1966
Men & Women 65	12 October 1956 – 11 October 1961
Men & Women 70	12 October 1951 – 11 October 1956
Men & Women 75	12 October 1946 – 11 October 1951
Men & Women 80	12 October 1941 – 11 October 1946
Men & Women 85	12 October 1936 – 11 October 1941
Men & Women 90	12 October 1931 – 11 October 1936
Men & Women 95	12 October 1926 – 11 October 1931
Men & Women 100+	born on or before 11 October 1926

Entry into the Championships consists of two main parts:

1. Registration

Online is only method of registration. All registrations must include full payment to be considered valid. Athletes who cannot pay online must instead send a paper registration form and payment to their National Organization, which will then register them and pay on their behalf.

Registration fee: € 69 EUR, plus a registration service fee of € 6 EUR

Country-specific team fee: varies by country

No refunds are available. All fees are registration fees, not participation fees, and there are no refunds for any reason.

The registration deadline is 1 September 2026. No registrations will be accepted after the registration deadline.

2. Validation

All registrations are subject to validation by each athlete's National Organization. National Organizations will confirm the athlete's date of birth, citizenship and/or residential qualifications, and other relevant requirements. After an athlete's registration has been validated, its status will display as "accepted" on the list of registrations on the Championships website. National Organizations may also reject registrations of athletes whom they consider ineligible or who do not meet their requirements.

Validation is a manual process that each National Organization completes, so there will be some time (days or weeks) between when an athlete submits their registration and when it is validated. Athletes who have questions about the status of their registration or about the requirements for their country should contact their National Organization. For athletes who represent a country that is not a WMA Member Country, their registrations will be subject to the approval of the WMA Council.

Online Registration Procedure

1. Complete the online registration form prior to the registration deadline
2. Submit payment by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) at the end of the registration process
3. Save and/or print the confirmation screen for your records
4. Send a copy of your birth certificate to your National Organization for validation purposes if you have not already done so in the past, and meet any other requirements set forth by your National Organization
5. Your National Organization will complete the validation process for your registration

National Organization Requirements

WMA requires that each National Organization validate all of its country's registrations electronically via the online entry system. WMA will accept only those athletes whose registrations have been validated by National Organizations. Each National Organization must also input any paper registrations it receives from its athletes into the online entry system. Payment is required at the time the registrations are submitted. If for some reason a National Organization is unable to pay online, it must request an exemption from WMA. If the exemption is granted, the National Organization will be provided with details about how to pay offline. The National Organization will still be required to input paper registrations into the online entry system and to validate its registrations electronically.

All registrations must be submitted online and paid before 1 September 2026. Any registrations for which WMA has not received payment by this deadline will be canceled, and those athletes will be ineligible to compete. No exceptions will be allowed. In addition, all registrations must be validated before 8 September 2026. Any registrations that have not been validated by this deadline may be rejected, and those athletes will be ineligible to compete.

National Organizations will receive communications regarding the entry process prior to the start of registration. National Organizations that do not receive these communications should contact the WMA Secretary General.

NOTE: Any person who will be accepting these terms on behalf of an athlete must first obtain written consent to do so from such athlete and must present such written consent to WMA or its designees upon request. Failure to do so may result in denial of the athlete's participation in the event.

Agreement, Consent, and Release

In partnership with Zagrebački atletski savez (Zagreb Athletics Association) ("LOC"), World Masters Athletics ("WMA") will conduct the 2026 World Masters Athletics Marathon Championships ("WMA Championships") in Zagreb, Croatia ("Host Country"), during 11 October 2026.

I hereby apply for entry to the WMA Championships on the following terms and conditions which form a binding agreement between WMA, the LOC, and me.

1. I will abide by the WMA Competition Rules and World Athletics rules and regulations, as modified for the WMA Championships by WMA, and any special rules specified for this competition that will be outlined on the WMA Championships website.
2. I understand that my registration is subject to validation by the national masters athletics organization that is affiliated with WMA ("National Organization") of the country I have chosen to represent during the WMA Championships. I understand and agree that I must meet the requirements of WMA and my National Organization in order to be eligible to participate in the WMA Championships, and I further understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that I understand all the requirements prior to registering for the WMA Championships. I understand that my National Organization will review my registration, evaluate all requirements, and either accept or reject my registration. I understand and agree that having my registration accepted by my National Organization is one of the required conditions necessary to participate in the WMA Championships, and I further understand and agree that I am ineligible to participate in the WMA Championships if my National Organization or WMA rejects my registration. I agree to provide to my National Organization and WMA all details and documents that they require for the validation process.
3. I represent that I am a bona fide athletics competitor. I am physically and mentally fit to compete in the WMA Championships safely and without causing injury to myself or other participants in the WMA Championships.
4. I agree and consent to accept medical treatment from authorised medical personnel or agents of the LOC or WMA in the event that I am injured or otherwise become ill or incapacitated during the WMA Championships. If any medical treatment or services require payment of fees, I understand that I am responsible for all such fees and agree to pay them.
5. Participation in the WMA Championships and related activities ("Activities") has foreseeable and unforeseeable inherent risks, hazards, and dangers that no amount of care, caution, or expertise can eliminate, including without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury, sickness, disease, contagion, permanent disability, paralysis, and loss of life. I understand and acknowledge that there are risks, dangers, and hazards inherent in the Activities ("Risks"), and I expressly and voluntarily assume the Risks and the responsibilities for any damages, liabilities, and losses, including loss of income, expenses, or any other related losses arising from the Risks as a result of my participation in the Activities.
6. In consideration of WMA and the LOC permitting me to participate in the WMA Championships, I agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and release WMA and the LOC, including their directors, officers, employees, contractors, sponsors, servants, agents, officials, and volunteers, as well as all persons, corporations, and organisations involved or otherwise engaged in promoting or staging the WMA Championships, from and against any injury, loss, damage, liability, cost, expense, demand, claim, or action that I may suffer or incur, including as a result of negligence, breach of statutory duty, or any act or omission, arising out of, or in connection with, my participation in the Activities.
7. I consent to photographs and video footage being taken of me in connection with the WMA Championships. I agree and acknowledge that the photographs and video footage are owned by WMA and/or the LOC and that those parties may use the photographs and video footage for promotional or other purposes without obtaining my further consent. I also consent to those parties using my name, image, voice, likeness, and performance in the WMA Championships to promote and publicise current and future WMA championships or other endeavours, without compensation.
8. I agree that all my personal details and the personal details of all accompanying persons ("Personal Details") may be provided to the following entities and their designees ("Entities"):
   1. WMA and its Regional Associations and National Organizations;
   2. the LOC;
   3. the immigration service of the Host Country;
   4. future hosts of WMA championships;
   5. providers of timing, scoring, and event management services;
   6. SimplyRegister, Inc., the registration services provider; and
   7. MastersRankings.com, the rankings partner of WMA.
9. I agree that Personal Details may be used by any party to whom they are provided, which may include transferring such Personal Details internationally, including for, but not limited to, the following purposes:
   1. any purpose required by, deemed appropriate by, or to assist, the Entities or any government body, service, or agency;
   2. any purpose necessary to prevent a serious or imminent threat to a person's life, health, or safety, or to public health or safety;
   3. to contact me about my registration and/or participation in the WMA Championships;
   4. to provide me with my unique WMA Championships accreditation pass and competition bibs;
   5. to provide medical treatment in the event that I am injured or otherwise become ill or incapacitated during the WMA Championships; and
   6. any purpose required or authorised by law.
10. I agree that I will comply with all government protocols and regulations necessary for entry into the Host Country that are applicable at the time of my arrival. I further agree that I will comply with all government protocols and regulations for the duration of my stay in the Host Country and during the WMA Championships.
11. I consent to the conduct of identity verification checks, background security checks, and any other security checks, which may include inspecting my personal property, at any time in connection with the WMA Championships. I understand that a failed check may result in denial of participation in the WMA Championships and/or denial of admittance to event premises and competition venues.
12. I am aware that events may be delayed or cancelled due to conditions that are beyond the control of the LOC and WMA. I agree that the LOC and WMA shall not be responsible or liable for any loss, financial or otherwise, that I may incur, arising out of, or caused directly or indirectly by, forces beyond the control of the LOC and WMA, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, weather, pandemics or epidemics or disease, nuclear or natural catastrophes, and interruptions, loss, or malfunctions of utilities, communications, or computer (software and hardware) services.

This Agreement and any other documents or agreements related thereto are in the English language only and will be deemed to be executed in English. Translation into a language other than English is provided for convenience only. Any translation into any other language shall not be an official version thereof, and in the event of any conflict in interpretation or meaning between the English version and such translation, the English version shall control.

Drug Testing and Gender Eligibility

I acknowledge that drug testing will be conducted under the WMA/World Athletics anti-doping rules and regulations as governed by the World Anti-Doping Agency code (the "Code") and hereby consent to all drug testing requirements at the WMA Championships. I acknowledge that any use of a prohibited substance and/or method as defined in the Code necessitates that I apply for a therapeutic use exemption ("TUE") at least 30 days prior to the start of the WMA Championships and in accordance with the procedures set forth on the WMA website: https://world-masters-athletics.org/anti-doping/. I acknowledge that if a TUE is denied, continued use of the prohibited substance(s) and/or method(s) may result in a penalty. I acknowledge that no other medical certificate(s) will be accepted in substitution for a TUE issued by WMA. If I am granted a TUE, I acknowledge that it, along with proof of identification, must be produced at the time of testing if I am selected for a drug test. Details of prohibited substances and methods and all anti-doping procedures are available on the World Athletics website (www.worldathletics.org) and the WMA website (www.world-masters-athletics.org). The WMA Championships' competition handbook will also contain details of the anti-doping procedures to be undertaken during the WMA Championships. I further acknowledge that it is my responsibility to meet current World Athletics rules and regulations governing gender eligibility and hereby declare that I meet all such requirements.

Travel Visa Acknowledgment

I understand that it is my responsibility to obtain any travel visa or other documentation required for entry into the Host Country. I understand that WMA and the LOC may provide supporting documentation to assist with my visa application, but I acknowledge that neither WMA nor the LOC can guarantee that a visa will be issued. I agree that WMA and the LOC are not responsible for any costs or losses incurred as a result of a visa application being denied or delayed.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

No refunds are available for this event. I agree that the service provided in exchange for payment is registration, not participation, and I agree that the registration service will be considered delivered upon delivery of the confirmation screen or confirmation e-mail. I understand and agree that there are no refunds for any reason.

Registration Services

Registration services are being provided by SimplyRegister, Inc. I acknowledge that I have read SimplyRegister's Terms of Use (www.simplyregister.net/terms/use.html) in its entirety and that I understand and agree to all of the provisions contained therein.