Since the running section comes right after the bike section, don`t forget to take off your helmet. Running with a bicycle helmet is grounds for immediate disqualification. That`s running without a shirt. And while running barefoot is all the rage, triathletes should still wear shoes when running and leave their iPods and phones at home. Violation of any of these rules may result in disqualification. Competition rules for USA Triathlon, ITU and other federations can be found at the links below. Run safely, run smart and have fun! At an „illegal” draft event — most non-elite triathlons are illegal — strict rules govern how long you can stay in another rider`s draft zone. According to ITU rules, the design area is a large rectangle three metres wide and 10 metres long (10 x 33 feet) that stretches from the front tire of the bike to the rear [source: ITU]. (The area is 12 meters long for endurance races.) If you want to overtake a runner in front of you, you can only cross its draft zone for a total of 15 seconds [source: ITU]. Otherwise, a time penalty will be imposed. Now let`s talk about the cycling stage of the triathlon. Don`t forget your helmet! In the United States, NBC is the only channel. Almost all events are broadcast on one of the NBC channels or broadcast on the NBC Sports or Peacock app.
The triathlon races will be broadcast in the United States and broadcast on NBCOlympics.com. Details here. The Olympic (or international) distance triathlon is 1500m swimming, 40K cycling, 10K running. In non-repechage triathlon – which is what most age-group athletes do and what is commonly seen at Ironman events – athletes must stay away from each other on the bike course. As a general rule, the rules state that you must not be within 12 meters of the cyclist in front of you to avoid gaining an advantage (or pulling) from them blocking the wind. This is compared to professional cycling, where riders stay in a peloton or in large pelotons or pace lines to pull the cyclist ahead of them and take the lead. The mixed team relay will be a new Olympic event in Tokyo. Teams from four from each country (two men, two women) will participate.
Each person does a mini-triathlon and the order is woman-man-woman-man. Each athlete swims 300 metres, rides 8 km and runs 2 km. Yes, it is very short and very fast. They then identify the next person on their team. Local time in Japan, the men`s triathlon race will take place on July 26 at 6:30 am. The women`s race will take place the next day at 6:30 a.m. on July 27. The mixed team relay will take place on July 31 at 7:30 a.m.
You can run during the running portion of a triathlon, but please do not „crawl”. In typical legal language, ITU defines crawling as „the action of an athlete to bring three or more limbs into contact with the ground, together or in any order, to enable forward propulsion” [source: ITU]. The rules do not explicitly mention piggyback transport, but these are probably included in the clause prohibiting „unauthorised aid”. The most complicated and controversial rules of cycling are about design and blocking. Drawing is a driving technique in which a rider drives very close behind another competitor to reduce wind resistance and use less energy. In team endurance races like the Tour de France, repechage is a crucial strategy for success. Triathlons, on the other hand, are generally considered individual races rather than team events, so repechage is often illegal. In the swimming phase of the Olympic triathlon, participants can move through the water with each shot. Participants may stand on the ground or rest while holding an inanimate object such as a buoy or stationary boat, but not use either to gain an advantage.
In an emergency, a competitor can call for help by raising an arm above their head. Once the support has been provided, the participant must withdraw from the race. Triathletes can only wear wetsuits during the swim when the water temperature is 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower. Wetsuits are mandatory in water colder than 14 degrees Celsius (57.2 degrees Fahrenheit). The most common rule violations I`ve seen over the years involve helmets, transition, traction, locking, and abandonment. Each of these penalties is easy to avoid if you have the right knowledge before race day. Training and nutrition are only a fraction of what will affect your running experience. Knowing the rules so you can run safely and avoid unnecessary penalties is key to enjoying your race and having a successful day.
Triathlon is the ultimate endurance challenge. Participants swim, pedal and run in a one-day race where even the fastest times in the world still far exceed eight hours. The first modern triathlon took place on September 24, 1974 and was organized by the San Diego Track & Field Club [source: ITU]. The multi-sport competition was an instant success, quickly reaching hundreds of sanctioned races around the world and becoming an official Olympic sport at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. At the top of the list of the most common rule violations during a triathlon is helmetless cycling [source: USA Triathlon]. At USA Triathlon races, you only need to wear your helmet when you`re riding and cycling. For ITU races, you must wear a helmet for the entire time you own the bike, which starts from the moment you remove your bike from the rack until you hang it up again [source: ITU]. You also can`t drive without a shirt.
(Triathlon rules often use the word „torso.”) Failure to wear a helmet or shirt will result in immediate disqualification.