NWANA Race Direction & Technical Operations

The NWANA Race Direction & Technical Operations Pathway prepares professionals to organize Nordic Walking competitions and support their technical and operational delivery within the NWANA system.

This pathway includes two separate professional roles:

• Race Director — responsible for the organization and administration of a competition;

• Competition Technical Official — responsible for assigned technical and operational competition functions.

A person may eventually qualify for one or both roles, but each role requires its own education, assessment, practical preparation, eligibility review, approval, and active Professional License.

Neither role automatically includes Nordic Walking Judge authority.

Begin with the Required Foundation

Every future NWANA Race Director and Competition Technical Official begins with the Nordic Walking Instructor – Beginner Level Certification through NWANA Academy.

The course provides the common foundation in Nordic Walking technique, equipment, movement principles, safety, professional responsibility, and the basic nature of the activity for which competitions are being organized.

Completion of the Beginner Level Certification does not automatically activate a Race Director or Competition Technical Official License.

After the common foundation has been completed, the applicable Race Direction or Technical Operations education becomes available according to the participant’s selected professional direction and completed requirements.

Previous experience in event production, race direction, timing, venue operations, sports administration, course management, volunteer coordination, or another sport may be considered by NWANA. It does not by itself replace the required NWANA foundation, competition-specific education, assessments, or practical preparation.

Two Separate Professional Roles

Race Director

A Race Director leads or coordinates the planning, administration, and operational delivery of a competition.

The Race Director works across multiple areas of the event and is responsible for ensuring that the necessary people, plans, services, systems, permissions, and procedures are coordinated.

Competition Technical Official

A Competition Technical Official performs specific technical or operational duties assigned for a competition.

The official works within the authority and responsibilities established for the particular assignment and does not automatically control the complete event.

A Race Director License does not automatically grant a Competition Technical Official License.

A Competition Technical Official License does not automatically grant a Race Director License.

How Professional Progression Works

1. Complete the Beginner Level Certification

Complete the common foundational course, assessments, and technique review through NWANA Academy.

2. Continue into the Applicable Professional Education

After the common foundation has been completed, continue into:

• Race Director education;

• Competition Technical Official education;

• or both, when each is completed separately.

3. Complete the Required Assessments and Practical Preparation

Depending on the role, preparation may include:

• online education;

• written assessments;

• event-planning assignments;

• course and venue review;

• safety and emergency planning;

• competition documentation;

• operational checklists;

• practical exercises;

• supervised event experience;

• evaluation of an event plan or completed assignment;

• individual review by NWANA.

4. Submit a Professional License Eligibility Review

After completing the requirements for the specific license, submit an Eligibility Review Request.

Completion of a course does not automatically activate a Professional License.

5. Receive Approval and Private Purchase Instructions

If eligibility is confirmed, NWANA identifies the approved license and provides private purchase instructions.

6. Maintain Professional Readiness

Continued active status may require current education, professional activity, policy compliance, updated assessments, event experience, or other requirements applicable to the new license year.

Race Director

Active NWANA Race Director License

The Active NWANA Race Director License is for professionals approved to organize and administer Nordic Walking competitions within the scope established by NWANA.

A Race Director may be responsible for coordinating areas such as:

• event concept, format, and operational planning;

• event schedule and production timeline;

• budget planning and financial controls;

• registration and participant services;

• venue selection and preparation;

• course planning and coordination;

• permits and communication with responsible authorities;

• insurance and risk-management coordination;

• safety and emergency planning;

• staffing and volunteer organization;

• contractor and service-provider coordination;

• equipment and supply planning;

• start and finish operations;

• timing and results coordination;

• awards and ceremonies;

• event communications;

• incident documentation and post-event reporting;

• coordination with judges and technical officials;

• coordination with facilities, partners, sponsors, and community organizations.

The specific responsibilities depend on the competition, venue, course, event format, sanctioning conditions, and assigned professional role.

Applicants must complete the education, assessment, practical preparation, experience, and eligibility requirements established by NWANA for Race Directors.

Annual license fee: $99

Race Director Professional Responsibility

The Race Director is responsible for coordinating the complete event structure but is not expected to personally perform every specialized function.

The Race Director may work with:

• Nordic Walking Judges;

• Competition Technical Officials;

• timing and results personnel;

• medical and emergency-service providers;

• venue and course personnel;

• registration staff;

• volunteers;

• security personnel;

• local authorities;

• contractors and service providers;

• communications, marketing, and sponsorship personnel.

The Race Director remains responsible for ensuring that responsibilities are assigned appropriately and that required plans, permissions, services, and procedures are in place.

A Race Director License does not authorize the holder to perform a regulated medical, emergency, security, legal, engineering, or other professional service without the qualifications required for that service.

Competition Technical Official

Active NWANA Competition Technical Official License

The Active NWANA Competition Technical Official License is for professionals approved to perform assigned technical and operational duties at Nordic Walking competitions.

The role may involve areas such as:

• course and venue preparation;

• course inspection and operational review;

• start-area preparation and procedures;

• finish-area preparation and procedures;

• athlete check-in and flow;

• call-room or staging operations when used;

• competition equipment checks;

• course marking and directional controls;

• timing and results support;

• lap counting and checkpoint support;

• aid-station or service-area coordination;

• relay-zone or exchange-area operations;

• coordination of assigned technical personnel;

• competition documentation;

• implementation of assigned operational procedures;

• incident and post-event reporting.

A Competition Technical Official works within the authority and responsibilities assigned for the particular event.

Applicants must complete the education, assessment, practical preparation, and eligibility requirements established by NWANA for this role.

Annual license fee: $69

Technical Official Assignments

A Competition Technical Official License confirms the holder’s approved professional status and technical scope within the NWANA system.

It does not guarantee assignment to a particular competition or position.

Assignments may depend on:

• the competition format and level;

• the venue and course;

• the duties required;

• the official’s active license;

• relevant education and experience;

• performance during previous assignments;

• availability and location;

• additional requirements established for the event.

A Technical Official may perform only the duties authorized by the active license and the specific assignment.

Race Directors, Technical Officials, and Judges

These professionals perform different functions.

Race Director

Leads or coordinates the organization and administration of the competition.

Competition Technical Official

Performs assigned technical and operational competition duties.

Nordic Walking Judge

Observes Nordic Walking technique and applies NWANA Competition Rules within an assigned judging role.

One Professional License does not automatically grant another.

A Competition Technical Official may not evaluate Nordic Walking technique as a Judge, issue judging cards, or make judging decisions unless the person also holds the appropriate Active NWANA Nordic Walking Judge License and has received the applicable judging assignment.

A Judge License does not automatically grant Race Director or Competition Technical Official status.

Professional Licensing Does Not Sanction a Competition

A Race Director or Competition Technical Official License confirms the holder’s approved professional role within the NWANA system.

It does not, by itself:

• sanction or approve a competition;

• authorize the use of the NWANA name, marks, or logo for an event;

• place an event on an NWANA calendar;

• establish the event as an NWANA championship;

• appoint the license holder to a particular competition;

• authorize the holder to act on behalf of a venue, municipality, federation, government agency, property owner, or another organization;

• provide permits or insurance;

• guarantee that results will be accepted for NWANA rankings, records, qualifications, championships, or other official purposes.

A competition seeking NWANA sanctioning, recognition, championship status, or other official designation must complete the separate event-review and approval process and satisfy the requirements applicable to that competition.

Events Conducted by Other Organizations

NWANA may educate, assess, and license Race Directors and Competition Technical Officials for work within the NWANA system.

NWANA may also cooperate with federations, sports organizations, event organizers, municipalities, facilities, timing providers, and other organizations in professional education and event development.

An NWANA Professional License does not require another organization to accept the license or appoint its holder.

Each federation, governing body, organizer, facility, municipality, or sanctioning authority determines:

• the qualifications it accepts;

• the personnel it appoints;

• the permissions and documentation it requires;

• the rules and procedures applicable to its event.

An appointment by another organization applies only to the role and event authorized by that organization.

Events Involving Participants Under 18

A Race Director or Competition Technical Official License does not automatically satisfy every requirement for events involving participants under age 18.

An additional Active NWANA Minor Participant License may be required when the assigned professional role involves direct professional work or regular contact with minor participants.

Additional requirements may include:

• participant-protection or safeguarding education;

• background screening;

• parental or legal-guardian consent;

• supervision and communication procedures;

• minor-participant check-in and release procedures;

• codes of conduct;

• emergency procedures;

• requirements established by the responsible organization;

• applicable law.

The requirements depend on the competition, professional role, responsibilities, participant ages, nature of contact, and policies of the organization responsible for the event.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Education

Education provides the planning knowledge, technical understanding, operational preparation, and practical learning required for the selected role.

Certification

Certification confirms successful completion of a particular course, assessment, or qualification.

Professional License

An Active NWANA Professional License confirms the holder’s current approved professional role and scope within the NWANA system.

Completing a course or receiving a certificate does not automatically activate a Race Director or Competition Technical Official License.

NWANA must confirm that the applicant has satisfied the education, assessment, practical preparation, experience, and other requirements applicable to the requested license.

Annual License Period

The Active NWANA Race Director License and Active NWANA Competition Technical Official License remain valid through December 31 of the applicable license year.

RunSignup automatically prorates the annual license fee according to the time remaining in that license year.

Licenses do not renew automatically.

Continued active status may require:

• current education;

• continuing professional development;

• documented professional activity;

• updated assessments;

• satisfactory event performance;

• policy compliance;

• professional conduct;

• other requirements applicable to the new license year.

Professional Scope and Responsibility

A Race Director or Competition Technical Official License applies only to the role and scope identified by the license.

The license does not automatically:

• grant Nordic Walking Judge authority;

• authorize work beyond the holder’s approved professional scope;

• sanction or approve a competition;

• appoint the holder to a particular event;

• authorize use of another organization’s identity, facilities, property, communication channels, or resources;

• provide permits, insurance, or access to a venue;

• guarantee assignments, employment, compensation, or recognition by another organization;

• replace any government-issued, occupational, technical, medical, safety, security, or other qualification required by applicable law.

License holders must comply with current NWANA standards, policies, codes of conduct, competition requirements, and the responsibilities established for their professional role and event assignment.