Just as last year, there may be some slight differences across different venue regions due to local laws or policies, and so, IRONMAN strongly recommends that athletes should always educate themselves with their event’s ‘Athlete Information Guide’ before race day.
Only small changes to the Ironman rules for the upcoming season were made. Primarily, yellow card penalties will change from a stop-and-go to a one-minute stop-and-go penalty. The goal is to standardize the time carded athletes spend in the penalty tent on the bike course or served on the spot while on the run course.
In addition, bicycles with disc brakes are now allowed globally in all non-drafting middle and long distance triathlons including include IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events. In order to clarify the ‘no bare chest’ rule on the bike and run, as well as to conform with the global standard, uniforms with a front zipper must stay above the end point of breastbone (sternum). Be warned, athletes who do not abide by this rule will be disqualified!
IMAGE SOURCE: IRONMAN
The old rule prohibiting communication devise has been amended. Going forward, the rule only prohibits athletes from using these devices in an unsafe or distracting way. With an understanding and appreciation of how fast technology is evolving the sport of triathlon, officials will nonetheless disqualify any athlete whose behavior they deem as distracting or unsafe. Examples of dangerous and distracting behavior include: making and receiving phone calls, sending and receiving text messages, playing music, using social media and snapping pictures or—even worse—selfies.
In addition to those changes, visually impaired participants may make use of a sighted guide of either gender. It is strongly recommended that athletes with visual impairments find a guide who they find compatible due to the challenging long distance nature of IRONMAN’s events.
IRONMAN will continue to collaborate with the ITU concerning a single set of competition rules for middle and long course triathlon going forward. In fact, most of the changes for 2017 are a result of this effort. They will use the ITU to keep an eye on technological fraud at certain IRONMAN events around the world. ITU will have access to the latest technology able to detect the use of motors in bicycle frames or wheels.
IMAGE SOURCE: IRONMAN
The updated 2017 IRONMAN Competition Rules for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events will take effect March 1, 2017 in Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The new rules will roll out in Asia and Oceania between March and July. Athletes competing in those regions between March 1 and July 1, 2017 should get to know their event-specific ‘Athlete Information Guide’ to get information on rule enforcement for 2017.