Event Information

The Rules

Race Rules

SWIM RULES

Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty up to and including a water temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit.  Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 83 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Wearing swim goggles is recommended, but optional
  • No fins, paddles, or flotation devices of any kind allowed
  • Timing Chips must be properly affixed on your left ankle.
  • No individual paddlers or escorts allowed. Course will be adequately patrolled by kayaks and patrol boats.
  • Please do not apply sunscreen or Vaseline to areas bearing your race number prior to numbering. Numbers must remain on during the swim.
  • Swimmers are required to stay on course and swim according to the course map. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
  • If you require assistance in the swim you are able to hold on to any kayak as long as you do not make forward progression. If you are unable to finish the swim or need immediate assistance please remove your swim cap and wave it in the air until a boat or lifeguard is by your side.
  • Each Swimmer must wear the colored swim cap provided by the Director.

BIKE RULES

A triathlon is an individual event and you must take personal responsibility to understand the rules and avoid penalties. Bikes shall stay to the right side of the road.  When passing, alert other cyclists that you are passing and always pass on the left.  Call out “on your left” prior to passing.  Roads will be open to traffic, so be aware of your surroundings, and potential vehicle traffic coming behind you.

Basic rules to remember

  • Ride on the right side of your lane.
  • Keep three bike lengths between yourself and the cyclist in front of you.
  • Pass on the left of the cyclist in front, never on the right.
  • Complete your pass within 15 seconds.
  • If passed, you must drop completely out of the zone, to the rear, before attempting to re-pass.

Make sure your helmet is a CPSC approved model. All helmets legally sold in the US are CPSC approved but if you purchased your helmet in a different country it might be illegal for use in sanctioned events. While on your bike, always have your chinstrap securely fastened – before, during and after the event! The chin strap rule is easy to follow, so don’t forget – that’s a DQ! Don’t leave your trash on the course, and don’t carry or use any portable audio devices. Remember to treat other athletes, volunteers, and officials with courtesy and consideration. Failure to do so is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct and you will be disqualified.

RUN RULES

All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run:

  • Numbers clearly visible at all times.
  • Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way.
  • Numbers designated to other other athletes make not be used

Penalty:

Variable time penalty for missing or altered number

Audio players are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race:

  • Ear buds, headphones, headsets, walkmans, iPods, mp3 players, and any personal audio devices.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course.

TRANSITION/FINISH LINE RULES

Entering and Exiting
A participant must reduce cycling speed to an acceptable and safe level when exiting and entering the transition area. Failure to do so shall result in a variable time penalty.

Placement of Equipment
All participants shall place equipment only in the properly designated and individually assigned bicycle corral and shall at all time keep their equipment confined to such properly designated areas. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.

Bicycle Placement
All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in the properly designated bicycle corral after completion of the cycling course and before beginning the next segment of the event. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.

Finish Line
Be considerate of others, as the finish line can become crowded with these additional people.

  • Continue to move forward after you cross the finish line, allowing others to finish.
  • Remove timing chip.
  • Medical Support on hand if needed.
  • Enjoy post race refreshments and Awards Ceremony.
  • Wait until transition opens before removing your gear.

MOST COMMONLY VIOLATED RULES 

1. Helmets: Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be used. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event.
Penalty: Disqualification

2. Chin Straps: Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle.
Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.

3. Outside Assistance: No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and duathlons are individual tests of fitness.
Penalty: Variable time penalty

4. Transition Area: All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant’s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.
Penalty: Variable time penalty

5. Drafting: Drafting–keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds. Position–keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing. Blocking–riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass. Overtaken–once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.
Penalty: Variable time penalty

6. Course: All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.
Penalty: Referee’s discretion

7. Unsportsmanlike-Like Conduct: Foul, harsh, argumentative or abusive language or other unsportsmanlike conduct directed at race officials, volunteers, spectators or fellow athletes is forbidden.
Penalty: Disqualification

8. Headphones: Headphones, headsets, walkmans, iPods, mp3 players, or personal audio devices, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.
Penalty: Variable time penalty

9. Race numbers: All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must face the front and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing.
Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing or altered number.

10. Wetsuits: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however that participants who wears a wetsuit within such temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits are prohibited.

11. Abandonment: All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course.
Penalty: Variable time penalty

VARIABLE TIME PENALTIES

Sprint Distance Penalties

  • First Offense: 2 Minutes
  • Second Offense: 4 Minutes
  • Third Offense: Disqualification

Olympic Distance Penalties

  • First Offense: 2 Minutes
  • Second Offense: 4 Minutes
  • Third Offense: Disqualification