Rules to play Triathlon

1. These Competitive Rules (Rules) are adopted by USA Triathlon and govern the administration of all races and events sanctioned by USA Triathlon. These Rules are binding on all members of USA Triathlon and all persons who enter or participate in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon. .....

Purpose

2. These Rules are designed to set forth a standard set of parameters within which athletes can participate in triathlons and compete in a positive atmosphere of equal opportunity. These Rules are intended a. to promote and maintain sportsmanship, equal opportunity and fair play; b. to encourage and reward individual performance and initiative; c. to protect the health, safety, and well being of participants; d. to promote the integrity of sport .....

Construction

3. These Rules shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with their purpose. Whenever the context so indicates, the masculine or feminine gender, and the singular or plural number, shall be construed to include the other. .....

Rules Exceptions and Additions

4. For any particular event, a race director may request from USA Triathlon a specific exception or addition to these Rules. Any such request should be made with the consideration of the participant .....

Membership or Permit Requirements

5. All participants in events sanctioned by USA Triathlon must be members of USA Triathlon and be able to present a valid annual membership card or must purchase a USA Triathlon single event permit. Any athlete who intentionally participates in an event despite (i) lack of membership, or (ii) ineligibility for the relevant membership class shall be suspended or barred from membership in USA Triathlon and banned from participation in any sanctioned .....

Membership Eligibility

6. Membership in USA Triathlon is available to all persons in good standing with USA Triathlon who submit a completed application, pay the required membership fee, and comply with all the requirements determined by USA Triathlon to be applicable to the specific category of membership desired. No person shall be denied membership on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. .....

Prize Money

7. Distribution of prize money shall comply with the following standards When prize money is available in any event, no restrictive rules or conditions which have the effect of impeding performance may be placed upon any one category of members or group of participants unless such rules or conditions are imposed equally upon all those participants who are eligible for prize money. Prize money for any sanctioned event shall be distributed equally be .....

Single Event Permits

8. At the discretion of USA Triathlon, persons who are not annual members of USA Triathlon may be allowed to participate in certain sanctioned events through the issuance of a single event permit. USA Triathlon shall determine the fee and establish the requirements necessary to obtain a single event permit. Any person obtaining a single event permit shall be subject to all of the Rules, Regulations and Policies of USA Triathlon. .....

Preparation and Training

9. No person shall participate in a triathlon or other multisport events unless such person a. is trained adequately for that specific event, as might be expected of a prudent person entering a similar competition, and.b. is in excellent health, based on recent training, physical examinations, if any, and generally accepted standards of good health. .....

Age Group Competition

10. a. All age group athletes must participate and compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete .....

General Conduct

11. At or during an event, or while at the event site, all participants must a. Act in compliance with these Competitive Rules; b. Conduct themselves in a manner that is not offensive in any way to fellow participants, spectators, officials or volunteers and is considered reasonable and acceptable in the community; c. Treat all participants, officials, volunteers and spectators with fairness, respect and courtesy; d. Refrain from the use of abusi .....

Penalties and Prohibited Conduct

12. Penalties, including disqualification and suspension, may be imposed upon race participants and/or members of USA Triathlon who violate any of these Competitive Rules or who solicit, encourage, or assist a violation of these Rules. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the specific penalty to be imposed in any given case shall depend on the nature and severity of the violation as determined by the Head Referee or USA Triathlon. The followi .....

Propulsion

13. All bicycles shall be propelled only by human force and human power. Other than pushing a bicycle, any propulsive action brought on by use of the hands is prohibited. Any violation of this section shall result in disqualification. .....

Forward Progress

14. Participants shall not make any forward progress unaccompanied by their bicycle. If a bicycle is rendered inoperable, a participant may proceed on the cycling course, running or walking, while pushing or carrying the bicycle, so long as the bicycle is pushed or carried in a manner not to obstruct or impede the progress of other participants. Any violation of this section shall result in disqualification. .....

Knowledge of Course

15. The sole responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed cycling course rests with each participant. No adjustments in times or results shall be made for participants who fail to follow the proper course for any reason whatsoever. .....

Traffic Laws

16. All participants must obey all traffic laws while on the cycling course unless otherwise specifically directed by a USA Triathlon official, race monitor or designee with actual authority. Unless otherwise directed in accordance with the preceding sentence, all participants shall come to a complete stop when required by a traffic sign or traffic control device and shall not proceed through any intersection unless such intersection is clear of onco .....

Endangerment

17. No cyclist shall endanger himself or another participant. Any cyclist, who intentionally presents a danger to any participant or who, in the judgment of the Head Referee, appears to present a danger to any participant shall be disqualified. .....

Accidents

18. All participants shall exercise extreme caution and shall decrease speed if necessary in passing the site of any cycling accident. Any violation of this section shall result in disqualification. .....

Dismounting

19. A participant may dismount, but shall not interfere with other cyclists. A violation of this section which does not also constitute a violation of section 5.5 shall result in a variable time penalty. .....

Illegal Equipment

20. Any participants who any time uses wears or carries a headset, radio, headphones, personal audio device, or any other item described in Section 3.4(i) shall be assessed a variable time penalty. .....

Helmets

21. (a) Type of Helmet. All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Helmets manufactured prior to March 10, 1999 must meet or exceed the safety standards of (i) the American National Standard Institute (ANSI Z90.4), (ii) The Snell Memorial Founda .....

Helmets Rule for Elites

22. (a) Type of Helmet. All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards. Helmets not labeled as approved by the CPSC, but meet one or more of the following standards Snell B90, Snell B95, ASTM 144712, CEN European Standard, Canadian Standards Associati .....

Position Fouls

23. In accordance with the Rules as set forth in this section, a participant is not permitted to position his bicycle in the proximity of another moving vehicle so as to benefit from reduced air resistance. While on the cycling course, participants shall not work together to improve performance, efficiency, or position by teamwork or other joint conduct. A variable time penalty shall be imposed for any violation of this section. This section shall n .....

Knowledge of the Course

25. The responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed course rests with each participant. .....

Permitted and Illegal Equipment

26. Any participant who at any time wears or carries a headset, radio, headphones, personal audio device, or any other item prohibited by Section 3.4(i) shall be subject to a time penalty. A participant may carry a water bottle on the run portion of the course, provided that such container is not made of glass. Glass containers are prohibited. .....

Bicycle Placement

27. 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. .....

Obstruction and Interference

28. No participant shall impede the forward progress of another participant or interfere with another participant's equipment while in the transition area. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty, unless such obstruction or interference renders another participant unable to complete the event, in which case the penalty shall be disqualification. .....

Official Race Results

29. Final results will reflect all decisions made by the Head Referee and the Protest Committee. Results are subject to review by the Head Referee at or after the event. Any changes made by the Head Referee shall be reported to the competitor, the Race Director, and the USAT Commissioner of Officials in writing no later than 10 days after the event, at which time the results will be deemed final, subject to any appeal filed by a competitor, includi .....

Bicycle Equipment Rules

30. The bicycle must be road worthy and in safe operating condition. The bicycle shall have two wheels. No training wheels are allowed. There must be at least one working brake on each of the two wheels unless the bicycle was manufactured with only one brake, in which case, the working brake shall be on the rear wheel. The bicycle may be onroad, offroad or youth style. No recumbent style bicycles are allowed. Only standard drop, straight, o .....