Rules and Regs - What you need to know
Full details of all the rules are contained here: https://www.britishtriathlon.org/competitionrules. However, here are some of the main ones that often make you come unstuck.
Always follow the direction of the course as marked. Race day volunteers will also provide you with verbal direction at their discretion.
As a rule of thumb, we always recommend doing a course walk-through, particularly of the transition area if you are unfamiliar with the course you are racing at.
Or at the least look at the course map provided in the event information/briefing.
Littering
Any littering is a disqualifiable offense
- within reason, if you accidentally drop a gel while cycling this will be up to the discretion of the marshalls
Ensure body numbers are visible at all times. This also extends to your bike sticker, helmet sticker, and bib number.
Some events will mark your body with a permanent marker before your race. Most races have volunteers who will do this for you. The race you enter may specify where these numbers must be placed, so either has a volunteer mark you or check guidelines before having a friend mark you or marking yourself. Most races require your upper calf and upper arm to be marked. These numbers will identify you as you come out of the swim and transition to your bike.
Ensure you attach your bib number to a race belt by slipping the race belt clips through the holes in the top of your bib. Clip your race belt around your waist during your bike-to-run transition so that the number is displayed on your front. Race belts are not supplied, but safety pins usually are. If you choose not to invest in one, use safety pins to attach your race number to the front of the shirt, jacket, or tri suit you will wear during the run. Attach the number before the race, not during your bike-to-run transition.
NOTE: Only matching body race numbers and bike numbers will be permitted to remove the bikes from the transition area. This means without a race number you cannot enter the bike area. Furthermore, non-competitors may not retrieve your bike and belongings post-race – unless is special circumstances as decided by course officials.
Ensure you have your timing chip on. On race morning every competitor needs to ensure that the timing chip in their race pack – which is worn on a Velcro band, is safely and tightly enough secured around your left ankle.
The timing is usually computerised to provide times in each leg of the race, including your transitions.
The timing chip will be taken off you after you cross the finish line by a volunteer.
Complete triathlon clothing wear must be worn at all times – tops and bottoms (for both males and females). Nudity particularly in the transition zone can result in disqualification.
Whenever you are handling your bike, you must wear your helmet and it must be done up. This is a mistake many novice triathletes make and can result in a penalty or in some cases, disqualification.
You must put your helmet on before you handle your bike, and you must also wear your helmet all the way up until you have safely racked up your bike at the competition of your bike leg.
In addition;
A competitor is not permitted to cycle without appropriate footwear or with a bare torso.
A competitor is not permitted to make any forward progress without the bicycle and all of its component parts.
Bicycle helmets are compulsory
An alteration or addition to any part of the bicycle helmet including the chin strap, or the omission of any part of the helmet, including an outer cloth cover, is prohibited.
A competitor must clearly display a race identification number at all times on the bicycle course. Those not complying may incur a Yellow Card Stop-Start penalty. However, if the Technical Official considers that the identification number has been unintentionally lost, then the competitor will not be penalised.
Never interfere with another competitor’s transition area and equipment. If you accidentally disturb another competitor’s equipment, ensure it is returned to its original position before continuing your race.
It is prohibited to rack your bike in a transition area that isn’t your designated area as per your race kit. In addition;
A competitor may only have a bare torso when moving from the swim exit to their designated transition area or moving from their designated transition area to the swim entry, the latter in a multi-swim event.
A competitor must mount and dismount the bicycle at the respective designated mounting and dismounting zones.
A competitor must at all times rack his/her own bicycle-only at their designated bicycle rack location and leave it in a stable position. It must be racked by either the seat or both brake hoods.
A competitor must at all times place all their equipment at their bicycle rack location.
A competitor must not interfere with another competitor’s equipment, but where accidental interference occurs the offending competitor must replace the equipment to its former position and state before proceeding.
Ensure you leave two (2) bike lengths between yourself and the bike in front. Any closer and it is considered drafting – which is illegal.
The draft zone of a competitor may not overlap the draft zone of another competitor or motorcycle or vehicle except in the following circumstances:
(i) when the competitor is in the process of legally passing another competitor or motorcycle or vehicle;
(ii) for safety reasons;
(iii) for an aid station; TA Race Competition Rules July 2016 – Page 11
(iv) for entrance to or departure from a transition area; and
(v) in making an acute turn.
When passing a forward competitor or motorcycle, the rear competitor is allowed a maximum of 20 seconds to pass through the 10 metre draft zone and 25 seconds to pass through the 12 metre draft zone. Failure to observe this may result in a Blue Card Time penalty for drafting. Also, see Clause 3.11(g) below.
When passing a forward vehicle, the rear competitor is allowed a maximum of 90 seconds to pass through the draft zone. Failure to observe this may result in a Blue Card Time penalty for drafting.
At every instant during the overlapping of draft zones, the rear competitor must be seen to be gaining on the forward competitor or motorcycle or vehicle. Failure to observe this may result in a Blue Card Time penalty for drafting.
Once passed, a competitor must immediately commence dropping back out of the draft zone of the forward competitor, before attempting to re-pass. A competitor is deemed to have been passed once the leading edge of the front wheel of the passing bicycle has moved in front of the leading edge of the front wheel of the passed competitor’s bicycle. Failure to observe this may result in a Blue Card Time penalty for drafting.
Professional Athletes – Before entering the draft zone of another athlete, professional athletes must safely move to the side of the athlete being passed and remain there during the passing action (ie. no slipstreaming). Failure to do so will result in a Blue Card Time penalty for drafting. Course conditions and the proximity of other competitors will be considered in deciding whether to issue a drafting penalty.
Determination of Draft Zone for events with a cycling distance up to and including the standard distance – If the Technical Delegate considers that the design of the cycle course combined with large competitor numbers, cannot accommodate a 10 metre draft zone, then the TD can approve a Special Rule, allowing a 7 metre draft zone and a maximum of 15 seconds to pass through the draft zone. If enacted, the Special Rule must be communicated to all competitors before the race.
Phones/headphones and MP3 players
No electronic devices such as phones/headphones/MP3 players or such devices are allowed on the course. You must be able to hear instructions from officials at all times, as well as be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Penalties or Disqualification will apply to those who do not adhere to this rule.
Outside assistance is not allowed during a race. This means no one can hand or take anything from you on the course;
· Assistance provided by event officials, including volunteers, is permitted, but such assistance is limited to the authorised provision of drinks, nutrition, and medical needs.
· Assistance provided by other competitors is permitted, but such assistance is limited to the provision of, drinks, nutrition, pumps, tyres, inner tubes, puncture repair kits, and the repair of equipment for safety.
· Any other assistance from anyone else is deemed to be Outside Assistance. This includes:
– Provision of any items from another competitor, which will render the donor competitor incapable of completing the race, In this case, both competitors may expect to be disqualified;
– All mechanical repairs except, for safety reasons where an event official or event official mechanic, may instruct or guide, an athlete to repair or adjust equipment to ensure the athlete can continue safely.
· Provision of a replacement wheel or wheels, once the event has started, is deemed to be Outside Assistance.
Outside assistance is not allowed during a race. This means no one can hand or take anything from you on the course!
· Assistance provided by event officials, including volunteers, is permitted, but such assistance is limited to the authorised provision of drinks, nutrition, and medical needs.
· Assistance provided by other competitors is permitted, but such assistance is limited to the provision of, drinks, nutrition, pumps, tyres, inner tubes, puncture repair kits, and the repair of equipment for safety.
· Any other assistance from anyone else is deemed to be Outside Assistance. This includes:
– Provision of any items from another competitor, which will render the donor competitor incapable of completing the race, In this case, both competitors may expect to be disqualified;
– All mechanical repairs except, for safety reasons where an event official or event official mechanic, may instruct or guide, an athlete to repair or adjust equipment to ensure the athlete can continue safely.
· Replacement wheel or wheels, once the event has started, is deemed to be Outside Assistance.
I hope that this has been helpful to you. Now the biggest rule is to have fun!
