Rules of Triathlon

This page contains a very summarized version of the rules, a summarized but more detailed version of the rules, and a link to where you can get a complete listing of the rules. The official rules are divided into sections and this is the format that I plan to follow.

The basics

All bike athletes must wear a helmet and have bike handle bars plugged or will not be able to compete.

- A quick summary of rules for those already familiar with triathlon terms and explanations for why things are not allowed. Also, leaves out anything that is common sense. For more detail and especially more explanation see the explanatory rules summary(keep scrolling down)- a more detailed version of the rules or link to the official rules.

We will skip to section three in this basic rules summary

Unsportsman like conduct, obstruction, unofficial assistance, missing race numbers, unallowed equipment, equipment left on the course, and endangerment all usually result in time penalities or disqualification. In you do something really horrific you may get suspended.

Section 4: Swimming

1. All strokes are allowed

2. You may use an object or the bottom to rest, but not to make forward progress(except bottom)

3. Above certain water temps (78 degrees) there are wetsuit restrictions.

Moving onto section 5: The Bike

1.You must obey all traffic laws

2.Your helmet must be on and the chin strapped fastened anytime you are on the bike

3.NO DRAFTING

4.You must stay on the right hand side of the road unless passing. When passing you must pass on the left and be out of the draft zone in fifteen seconds.

5.Helmets and bicycles must meet certain specifications, but unless yours is unusual don't worry-most do.

No cell phones

I didn't forget the run (6) but there isn't anything special to say about it.

Transition: 7

A quick note: You must re-rack your bike not just drop it in your area and you must keep all your stuff in your area.

I am skipping sections 8-11 and PC sections in this basic summary

 

Explanatory Summary

This is a great summary for those not familiar with terms and explanations as well as rules. For example, instead of the basic explanations no drafting- I will explain what drafting is and details, such as exact distances. Also, absent from the basic summary I will explain emergency procedure and specific penalties for breaking major rules. In contrast to the complete summary I will leave out details you most likely don't need to know (rules that are written more for race directors and extreme circumstances, such as appeals) and be more reader friendly than the official version.

Section 1:Scope, Purpose, and Construction

Quoted here are the reasons USA Triathlon asks you to follow there rules- "1.To promote and maintain sportsmanship, equal opportunity and fair play; "2.To encourage and reward individual performance and initiative; 3.To protect the health, safety, and well being of participants; 4.To promote the integrity of sport and triathlon as a positive cultural force in modern day society; and 5.To foster the foregoing ideals through the establishment and enforcement of punitive rules."

Be Aware: Race directors may make exceptions to these rules

Skipping 2 and moving to three: General Rules

To be in the Clydesdale Category(male only) who must weigh 200 pounds. To be allowed in the Athena Category (female only) you must weight 150 pounds. If you don't meet these weights when they weight you before the race you will be put back into your age group category.

Unsportsman-like conduct, obstruction, unofficial assistance, missing race numbers, barred equipment, equipment left on the course, and endangerment all usually result in time penalties or disqualification. Some on these it is obvious what they include, but others you are probably wondering what they include. Let me go over these.

Unofficial assistance-In triathlon you are not allowed to have your family or your friends give you anything such as food, drink, or race equipment along the course. You still though can carry things such as your favorite sports drink or food with you or drink/eat it in the transition area.

Missing race numbers-I find this section in the rules confusing. They make it sound almost like you have to jump in the lake with your paper number on. Don't worry though you don't. Seeing the actually implications what this means is you must get marked (with the pens for the start) for the swim, display the numbers they give you to attach to your bike and helmet during the bike, and put your paper number on during the run.

Unallowed equipment: There are a few things that are not allowed in triathlons that you might not be aware of. These include walkman/cd player's, and glass.

For most of these types of things except unsportsperson-like conduct and endangerment only variable time penalties are assigned. A the variable in variable time penalty refers to that longer races have higher time penalties. For a complete list of what these are for each distance see section 3.7 of the official rules

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It you do something horrific you may be suspended. These are not things that you might accidently not know about. These are things(like purposeful physical violence) you have to go out of your way to do so I am not going to actually list them

Section 4: Swim

All strokes are allowed (including breaststroke, backstroke, sidestroke)

You may rest on an inanimate object or the bottom. Except of the bottom, you can not push off from an inanimate object because it is considered unfair forward progress. If you forget and do this it will most likely result in a variable time penalty.

Emergencies: If you feel you can not complete the swim lift your arm overhead and pump it up and down. Also, call for help. If you can, swim to an inanimate object or the shore providing they are toward the directions of the rescue crew. Don't be embarrassed to call for help if you need it. It happens to tri-athletes in almost every race. Usually, you will be asked to withdraw from the rest of the race if you need to be rescued.

Swimming equipment: Wetsuits are allowed providing the water temperature is 84 degrees or less. If the water temperature is 78-83 degrees you may where a wetsuit, but you won't be eligible for prizes/awards if you do. Swim caps must be worn. Often you will be given a swim cap by to wear at the race. If not you must wear a brightly colored cap of your own. Goggles and face masks are allowed but not required. Fins, gloves, paddles, floating devices, and artificial propulsion devices are not allowed.

Section 5: The Bike

All progress must be made with your bike. This does not mean though that you must be on your bike. If your bike has a break down you may walk or run with your bike. What you can't do is leave your bike on the side of the road and keep going. Unless you are pretty close to finishing the bike portion I would recommend waiting for a repair crew to come and help you out if you can't fix the problem yourself.

You are responsible for knowing the course and obeying traffic laws

You must have your helmet on with chins straps fastened the moment you mount your bike. If you violate this in the transition area you will receive a variable time penalty. If you violate this on the race course you will be dq.

Drafting is not allowed. Drafting is using another bike or a vehicle to block wind which allows a cyclist to go faster. So what does this mean for you? It means that you must stay seven meters behind the cyclist who is in front of you. This is about equivalent to the three bicycles. So then how do you pass anybody??? You are allowed fifteen seconds to enter into another cyclists drafting zone to pass them. The cyclist who is passed is responsible for moving back.

More about passing: You must pass on the left.

If you are not passing you must stay on the right. As in driving do not cross double yellow lines and the center unless making a turn.

There are certain specifications that bikes and helmets must meet. Unless yours is unusual or old though it is most likely allowed. Not mentioned in the official rules but just to let you know mountain bikes are allowed even in road courses. If you think your bike or helmet may not qualify see the official rules.

Section 6: Run

You can walk or run the run course or do a combinations of the two. Crawling is prohibited and will result in disqualification.

Section 7: Transition

Your equipment must be kept in your section and you must re-rack your bike.

Use caution when entering and exiting the transition area especially if you are on your bike

No public nudity

All these violations carry a variable time penalty

Section 8: Drugs

Don't use them - for more detail see official rules

Sections 9-11 race officials, protests, and hearings

See official rules. Unless you have violated other rules you don't really have worry about these.

PC rules

There are special rules and exceptions to rules for physical challenged participants. For more details see the official rules.

Official USAT Rules-from USA triathlon site