Official competition category

MRC Marathon

An endurance robotics challenge built around consistency, speed and reliable autonomous performance.

2 divisionsH.E.R.O. rules source

Age categories

Who can compete

MRC age bands are shown below. The official sport page determines which bands and divisions are available for this category.

Kids10–12 yearsElementary school

Teens12+–15 yearsMiddle school

Senior15+–18 yearsHigh school

Adults18+ yearsOpen adult category

Competition format

Adults do not compete in the Marathon Basic division. Each age category competes separately.

Zero tolerance and common sense

If you are not sure whether something is allowed, then it is probably not allowed.
Rules are interpreted through common sense, the spirit of the sport and the safety of every participant.
Deliberate misinterpretation or exploitation of gray areas for unfair advantage may lead to disqualification.

The autonomous Robot Athlete follows the black line on a white track and completes the course within three minutes.
The shortest valid time determines the ranking and winners.

Participation is team-based. Each team consists of two to three members and designates one Robot Athlete Technician for the competition area.
Members must be at least 10 years old. The coach must be at least 20 years old and needs one assistant for every three registered teams.
One robot is allowed per team. In Marathon Advanced, Senior and Adult teams may register up to two robots. Teams may not share robots.

The robot must be autonomous, no larger than 25 × 25 cm, weigh no more than 1 kg, and stand between 5 and 15 cm high.
It must fit freely inside the 25 × 25 cm inspection box, include start and stop controls, remain safe, and must not damage the track.
Basic allows one microprocessor, up to four motors and four sensors. Advanced has unrestricted microprocessor and sensor use, subject to the general safety rules.
Pneumatics, pullback motors, speed-enhancing gases and nominal voltage above 24 V are prohibited.

Initial inspection takes place with the first attempt. Teams must have the robot program open on a laptop and be able to explain its critical parts.
A team that cannot demonstrate understanding of its program receives a 20% time penalty. A non-compliant robot cannot compete.
A secondary inspection occurs before every attempt. Judges may immediately disqualify a robot that violates the specifications.

The closed white PVC arena remains secret until competition day and may range from 5 m² to 35 m².
A 1.8 cm black line may include curves, right angles and intersections. At intersections, the robot must continue straight.
The line is normally surrounded by 18–20 cm of clear space on each side. Trial access is scheduled before the competition.

After the referee’s whistle, the Technician starts the robot. It must begin within five seconds; one restart is available only on the first attempt.
The robot must follow the line in the correct direction. A run ends if it finishes, leaves the arena, loses the line, becomes immobilized or reaches the three-minute limit.
A robot may briefly leave the line for up to three seconds while turning, but it must maintain its direction and recover the line.

The main sport window lasts 90 minutes and may be extended based on participation. Teams make repeated attempts in the announced order.
Teams may adjust their robot and code between attempts, but may not test on the arena.
The Top-8 advance to a Best of the Best stability round, paired 1st–8th, 2nd–7th, 3rd–6th and 4th–5th. The final-round time determines victory.

Wheel cleaning with wet cloths or cleaning liquid and paper is allowed. Advanced teams may use a controller only to start the robot.
Glue, suction systems, gases, pneumatics, pullback motors, active dimension expansion and wireless remote control during a run are prohibited.
Unsafe parts, non-autonomous operation, refusal to correct a violation, or abusive conduct may disqualify the team.

First, second and third place are awarded separately by age category and by Marathon Basic or Marathon Advanced division.
Ranking is based on the shortest valid time in the Best of the Best round.
An Advanced team with multiple placed robots keeps only its highest position; remaining places pass to the next teams in order.

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