Do you know what they are? It doesn't hurt to know and follow these rules even if it isnt a USAT sanctioned race. I have been seeing far too common violated rules out there and nothing gets done about it. So Im shouting them out and hopefully you as readers will acknowledge these and follow them.
1. HELMETS- Only US CPSC helmets may be used in USAT sanctioned races. Helmets must be worn at all times when on a bike. Penalty: Disqualification
2. Chin Straps- must be buckeled at all time while on your bike. DO not unbuckle this until you are off your bike. Penalty: Disqualification on bike course, time penalty in transition
3. Outside Assistance- NO assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Duathlon and triathlon are a test of individual fitness. Penalty: Variable time penalty
4. Transition area- All equipment must be in the assigned bike corral of the individual. The front wheel must be down on the same side as the assigned space. Penalty: Variable time Penalty
5. Drafting- ( So muchly violated!!!) Keep within 3 bike lengths from the bike in front of you. If you pass you must do so within 15 sec
Position- keep to the right FAR RIGHT hand side of the lane unless you are passing. NO hogging the yellow Line!! which leads into
Blocking- riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempt to pass. This has happened to me on more than one occasion. If you are new to the sport you still need to follow the rules too
Overtaken- once passed you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again. I've never had this happen. I get passed and cannot pass that person again!! Ha ha!
Penalty- Variable time penalty
6. Course- Cyclist shall not cross the Yellow line for any reason!! No cutting the course either, and obey traffic laws. Penalty- Referrees Discretion
7. Unsportman like conduct- Pretty self explanatory. Penalty: Disqualification
8. Headphones- Another one that makes me mad is when I see a person on the bike or run with Headphones!!! I want to rip them out of their ears! Any headphones, ipods, headsets, walkmans, etc are not to be carried or worn at anytime during the race. Penalty- Variable time penalty
9. Race Numbers- Must be worn at all times and not altered in any way
penalty- variable time penalty, disqualification if race number given to another person for a year from USAT races
10. Abadonment- no article of clothing, garbage, etc shall be thrown on the course. Lets keep the environment clean people. Yes I have been a sticky mess in the past but its all for the love of the sport. Penalty- variable time penalty
11 Wetsuits- Wetsuits may be worn up to 78 degrees water temp. After that it is your discretion but you will be exempt from any award winning. Better start training now without one if you are in the hotter climates!!! :)
Happy and Safe Training!!!
A Blog about Training for my Third Ironman, dabbling into other sports and eating Paleo. I am a Full Time Nurse Practitioner at a highly Successful Family Practice, Mother of a toddler and tween, a wife and everything in between. Follow my journey to see the craziness and dedication it takes to be an Ironman Triathlete!!!
I had to borrow a wetsuit for my Tri on Sunday. I don't think I will do a Tri in May again! It was F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing a great list of rules to remember!
ReplyDeleteThe overtaken rule is the most violated run in the books, you try to pass someone, and instead of dropping back, they speed up, frustrating, because 99% of the time, you get the penalty for not passing in the right amount of time, not the other person for fighting your pass
ReplyDeleteDrafting is a big issue! I've seen it so many times.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with the headphones. You're in a race, leave the headphones in the car!
And isn't it funny how in triathlons, abandonment is a penalty, but one of the first things you see along mile 1 or 2 of a half or full marathon is tons of abandoned sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, and such?! It's even recommended by tons of running racers.
I'm having trouble training without an ipod. Can I use an iphone on an arm band as long as I don't have anything in my eara? May be annoying to the runners I pass, but it just may get me through my first tri.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous- You are not allow any type of headphones, MP3 Players, anything that plays music. Think of a song you really love that motivates you. I have a mental playlist I sing to myself while Im running/biking.
ReplyDelete