General Rules
Safety
NYTRI has staged over 600 multi-sport events and is proud to claim a solid safety record in the country. The following rules and regulations have been designed for your personal safety and enjoyment. Failure to comply with these rules will result in penalties and/or disqualification.
- Competitors should be familiar with the Competitive Rules of USA Triathlon and must conduct themselves accordingly.
- No entrants under 18 years of age.
- It is the contestant's responsibility to be familiar with and follow the racecourse.
- Each contestant is responsible for the maintenance and repair of their bike.
- Race management has the authority to change race course and format, check-in, and start times at any time.
Transition Area
In order to protect your bike and equipment, please make sure that only competitors are in the transition area. Family and friends should remain outside of the barriers at all times.
- Bicycles must be properly placed on assigned racks corresponding to the race number.
- NO riding in the transition area or past the “DISMOUNT” signs.
- Bikes and equipment may only be removed from the transition area by competitors. BOTH the run number and bike number must be shown to security personnel.
- Due to heightened security, all bags/backpacks are subject to be inspected by security personnel upon entering the transition area.
- Transition times will be addressed according to Park's requirements on race day.
Bike Rules
No recumbent bikes are allowed.
Helmets
- Riding without a hard-shell helmet will result in immediate disqualification.
- Penalties will be assessed for unsecured helmet chin straps leaving or entering the transition area.
- Helmets must be ANSI, SNELL or USCF approved.
Lane Restrictions
Cyclists must stay out of recreation/joggers lane at ALL times. A four-minute penalty will be assessed if you enter the restricted
joggers' lane during any part of the course. This is a safety measure and will be strictly enforced. Police will issue tickets to offenders.
Drafting Rules
Riding in a pack and drafting is a serious violation. A distance of three bike lengths from the bike in front of you must always be maintained. You may not be closer than this distance for any period exceeding 15 seconds. If you are, you will be assessed a two-minute penalty for each infraction.
If another competitor is drafting you, yell to him to stop drafting. If you wish to file an official complaint regarding drafters, you must record their race number. A competitor who has three drafting reports filed by other competitors will automatically receive a two-minute penalty.
Central Park Alert
The course is closed to cars (except for official vehicles) but NOT to pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, skaters, etc. While biking, competitors must be aware and considerate of non-competitors who share the park roads. Competitors do not have right of way or priority over other users of Central Park.
- Contestants must follow the instructions of race officials and public authorities and must obey all traffic laws.
- Contestants must ride in designated lanes at all times.
- Bikes are not allowed inside the Boathouse and must be left in the transition area.
Race Violations & Penalties
Each of the following actions will result in a 2-minute penalty:
- Riding in/out of transition area.
- Entering/exiting transition area under, over, or between barriers.
- Bicycle not on an assigned bike rack or racked incorrectly.
- Race # not visible at ALL times while competing or in the transition area.
- Unsecured helmet chin strap leaving or entering the transition area.
- Drafting or “pack riding” violation.
- Accepting outside assistance or being paced by a non-competitor.
Disqualification
Each of the following actions will result in immediate disqualification:
- Unsportsmanlike conduct/verbal abuse of a volunteer or race official (determined by race officials).
- Failure to cover complete racecourse.
- Cycling in jogging/recreation lane (extreme left lane – marked off with double white line).
- Riding without an approved biking helmet.
- Wearing headphones during any portion of the race.
