USAT Rules
General Rules
- Headphones and headsets are not to be worn at anytime.
- Course marshals shall have the authority to penalize and disqualify participants.
- Medical personnel shall have ultimate and final authority to remove a participant from the race if the participant is judged by the medical personnel to be physically incapable of continuing the race without risk of serious injury. Medical transportation of any participant will result in automatic disqualification. Medical transportation costs are assumed by the participant.
- Good sportsmanlike conduct will be demanded of all participants. Fraud, theft, and acts of grossly unsportsmanlike conduct are grounds for immediate disqualification.
BASIC SWIM RULES
1. Each swimmer must wear a swim cap provided by the race organizers.
2. USAT Rules state that if the water temperature is between 79*-84* you may wear a wet suit, however you will not be eligible for awards or be ranked (you will not be listed in the results). If the water temperature is 78* or below, wetsuits are allowed. If the water temperature is 84* or above, no wet suits are allowed.
3. No fins, paddles, floatation devices or buoyancy suits of any kind allowed.
4. Swim goggles or face masks may be worn.
5. No individual paddlers or escorts allowed. The course is adequately patrolled by certified life guards stationed along the canal surface.
6. Water safety personnel have the authority to disqualify individuals if they deem necessary.
CAUTION - the surface of the canal is very slippery - be sure to enter the canal using ONLY the steps!
BASIC BIKE AND RUN RULES
The bike course is 12 miles and the run course is 3.1 miles.
If you are doing Olympic Distance Triathlon you must complete TWO (2) loops for the bike and run portions!Sprint Distance & Duathlon do ONE (1) loop for bike and run portions.
Remember - If you are warming up before the event, you must have your helmet on and buckled at all times! If not, you will be disqualified.
1. The end of your handle bars must have plugs in them.
2. Absolutely no drafting off another bike or vehicle is allowed. This is an individual endurance event. Enforcement of the drafting rules will be monitored by marshals on motorcycles and additional cyclists. The draft zone is 2 meters wide by 10 meters long. Once you enter this zone you have 20 seconds to pass through.
3. Bike helmets must be approved by testing authority recognized by national federation that is an affiliate of World Triathlon. Chin strap must be buckled at all times.
4. No outside help is allowed.
5. Each participant will be individually responsible for repair and maintenance of own bike.
6. All participants must follow directions of course officials and public authorities. Do not cross the double center line of the road or you will be disqualified.
7. Each participant must affix a bike number (provided to you at packet pick-up) to the bike frame.
8. Each participant must wear their race number, with tear-off tags affixed to the front of his/her clothes during the run.
9. Bikes must be positioned in the correct bike racks before and after the bike section. No glass containers are allowed in the transition area.
10. You must stay to the right side of the road at all time unless to pass. If you do not stay right you may be called for BLOCKING which will result in a time penalty.
Safety Tip:There are railroad tracks that cross 2 sections of the bike course - although we have confirmed that no trains will be in the area that morning - you will need to use caution going over them! - we will have plastic mats covering any rough spots and will need you to stay to the right side of the road in both cases - we will have a volunteer and some extra cones on hand to give you warning - just be aware!
MOST COMMONLY VIOLATED RULES & PENALTIES
1.Helmets
No modifications may be made to the helmet. Helmets must be worn as they were purchased. If the helmet came with a cloth cover, the cover must be on the helmet when competing. 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
Sprint Drafting - Keep at least five (5) bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 20 seconds.
Olympic Drafting - Keep at least six (6) bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 25 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, USA Triathlon officials, volunteers, spectators or fellow athletes is forbidden.
Penalty: Disqualification
8.Headphones
Headphones, headsets, mp3 players, 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, Disqualification and one year suspension from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission.
10.Wetsuits
Each age-group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon 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
1st Offense - 2:00 minute
2nd Offense - 4:00 minutes
3rd Offense - Disqualification
