Are r4 cartridges allowed to be used instead of the actual game cart for the pokemon series?

If I remember correctly, R4 Carts count as emulation, so you can still do runs, but your times will be hidden by default.

Yes. R4 cartridges allow many DS or 3DS titles to be held on them, but they are all downloaded ROMS instead of being paid for. Besides that, I thought the only emulators allowed for most major Pokemon titles are DeSmuME, Gambatte Speedrun r649, and Visual Boy Advance for other Pokemon games. Would R4 cartridges even be allowed?

That was kind of my question is if it would be allowed