Competition guidelines were adopted by the International Centipede Congress long, long ago and are as follows:
Each centipede must consist of at least 13 runners plus one floater who runs alongside, substituting for runners who lose a shoe, drop off the pace or need to make a pit stop.
There is no limit on length of fun runner centipedes.
A centipede may be made of any material that an organization, school or club deems appropriate. However, try to keep it light, flexible and well-ventilated. Allow at least four feet between individual leg segments.
Twinkie feelers on the head of each segment are required.
The final segment of each centipede must wear a stinger of appropriate design and toxicity.
Each segment must be filled with a registered centipede athlete - each runner must register individually.
During the entire competition, all required body segments must be present in the centipede body. If a segment is to be exchanged, the replacement must give the centipede's official password to exclude unauthorized participants.
To re-enter the centipede, a displaced runner must catch up with the body and resume his original segment, which the floater has been occupying. The official password and secret acknowledgment must be repeated each time. If the floater makes a permanent substitution, no other substitutions are allowed.
A Lenichi Turn, a 360-degree turn made famous by two Eastern European centipede runners (Oscar and Igatoo Lenichi) in the 18th century, must be executed at Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate Park just beyond the 6-mile point. The Lenichi Turn must not interfere with other runners.
All centipede members must start together, at the start line, as well as cross the finish line with connection intact.
