New to Triathlon

1. Basic Triathlon Rules. The official rule-book from World Triathlon is updated every two years.  While we encourage everyone to read (and obey!) the full ITU Rules, the basic rules below are a good place to start.  Each race has a pre-race briefing, which is an excellent time to hear the rules and special rules that may apply on the day. When in doubt, ask an official for clarification. If you really want to know your stuff, Triathlon Nova Scotia offers officials clinics each year. They are free, so take a clinic, volunteer, and learn by doing!

General

• No headphones in any part of the race.
• No glass containers can be used at any time during competition.
• If a race number is provided, you must wear it so that it is visible on the front during the run segment only. You must not alter it in any way.
• You must not receive assistance of any kind other than the help provided by the race organizers.
• As an athlete, you may aid another athlete on the FOP. However, you must be able to finish the event yourself. If you put yourself in a position where you cannot finish the event, both you and the athlete you help may be disqualified
• Know the course. It is the athlete’s responsibility to know the course at all times Race directors are required to provide you with maps prior to the event..
• You may leave the course at any time, but must re-enter the course at the same location, unless it is for safety reasons.

Swim and wetsuit use

• You may use any stroke, tread water, float, stand, or rest on an inanimate object at any time.
• You may not use the bottom or other objects to move forward.
• You cannot wear fins or snorkels, but may wear a wetsuit if it falls within specified guidelines.
• The use of wetsuits and wetsuit booties depends on the water and air temperature. An official ruling on wetsuit use will be made one hour prior to race start

Bike

• You must obey the rules of the road unless directed by police/RCMP or a certified official. This includes;
  • Riding as far right as is possible, stopping at stop signs and obeying traffic lights.
  • Do not cross the centre line of the road.
• Helmets
  • Helmets must be fastened at all times while you are in possession of your bike.
  • Don’t take your bike off the rack until your helmet is fastened
  • Don’t undo your helmet until you’ve put your bike back.
  • Your helmet must also be worn any time you are on your bike at the race site, even during warm up or while riding to the race (this is also a provincial law in Nova Scotia).
• Drafting and blocking
  • You cannot follow within 10 m (30 ft) of another bike (drafting) and may not ride within 1.5 m (5ft) to the side of another bike (blocking).
  • You may break these rules only to pass and have a maximum of 20 seconds to enter the 10 m/1.5 m zone and complete the pass on the left and be out of the 10 m zone.
  • The cyclist who has been passed (or a person who attempted and failed a pass) must immediately drop out of the draft zone before they attempt the pass again.
• Equipment
  • Disc brakes are legal in all disciplines except draft-legal triathlon
  • Age-groupers need to adhere to certain bicycle specifications for AG draft-legal events.

Run

• You can run or walk.
• Bib numbers must be worn on the front

Transition

• No nudity in transition
• You must rack your bike in a designated space.
• Be aware that you will have a limited amount of space for personal effects.
  • Officials will normally point this out during the briefing.
• Bikes cannot be ridden in transition and you will be instructed to mount and dismount your bike at a designated location known as the mount/dismount line.

Warning, Penalties and Disqualifications

An infraction of the competition rules may result in a sanction; a warning, penalty or disqualification.  The nature of the sanction depends on the nature of the offence.

• Warnings: The purpose of a warning is to alert an athlete about a possible rule violation and to promote a “proactive” attitude on the part of Technical Officials. A warning may also be issued to correct a minor infringement. Once a warning has been given, no further action is required from the technical official or athlete
• Penalties: Penalties are for infractions that do not warrant a disqualification, such as minor rule violations (yellow card) or drafting (blue card). Penalties may be served “on the spot” or at a designated place such as a penalty box. The process for issuing a penalty is that the official will blow a whistle, call your race number or name, show a yellow or blue card, and inform you of the steps you need to take to purge your penalty (stop and serve, or stop at a penalty box). 
• A disqualification is for severe rule violations, such as but not limited to, repeated bike drafting infringements and/or dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct. A red card is used to indicate a disqualification.  Athletes disqualified on course may be allowed to continue the event and appeal their disqualification upon finishing

Appeals and protests

• You have the right to protest the conduct of another athlete or technical official, or to appeal a Technical Officials’ ruling. There are time limits and protocol to follow. In general, see a technical official within 15 minutes of your finish to start the appeals or protest procedure.
• Prep and go to your first race! If you are driving to the event, get all your kit together the night before. Make sure your bike is in good working order, the gears and brakes work, and the tires are inflated. The morning of, have a good breakfast that you know will give you enough energy for the day. You can experiment with what food you can easily eat before a hard workout during your training.

Aim to get to the race site at least 90 minutes before the race starts. Once at the race site, you’ll need to sign in, get your timing chip, and rack your bike in transition. Don’t forget to give your bike tires one last pump up to pressure in transition. Most events will have a course and rules briefing about 30 minutes before the race start. The briefing is also a good time to have a last-minute snack. If you have any questions about the rules, ask one of the officials in a blue vest. It’s then time to warm up. If your event starts in waves, make sure you get to the start area in good time. When the race starts, remember to pace yourself; this is more a marathon than a sprint. Finally, don’t forget to smile as you cross the finish line. Congratulations, you’re a triathlete!