USAT Rules and Regulations

The Competitive Rules adopted by USAT govern the administration of all sanctioned events. These Rules are binding to all members of USA Triathlon and all persons who enter or participate in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon. It is your responsibility to be familiar with all the Rules.

The following is only a summary of the most important Rules. For a full list please visit: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon/About/Multisport/Competitive-Rules

Membership
Membership/Permit Requirements. 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 event for a period of up to one year.

General Rules of Conduct and Penalties
Preparation and Training. No person shall participate in a triathlon or other multi-sport events unless such person:
• is trained adequately for that specific event, as might be expected of a prudent person entering a similar competition, and
• is in excellent health, based on recent training, physical examinations, if any, and generally accepted standards of good health.

Swimming Conduct
• Permissible Strokes: Swimmers may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water and may tread water or float.
• Emergencies: A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, and pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer, who has received official assistance, whether voluntary or involuntary, must retire and withdraw from the remainder of the race unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress. No swimmer shall return to the race if the official rendering assistance requests that the participant withdraws from the race or receive medical assistance.

Cycling Conduct
• Propulsion: 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.

• Traffic Laws: 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 oncoming traffic. In no case shall a cyclist cross a solid yellow line indicating a no passing zone. Any violation of this Section shall result in disqualification or a variable time penalty as determined in the sole discretion of the Head Referee.

• Endangerment: 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.

• Doping Control Rules: Policy. USA Triathlon condemns the use of substances or methods on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Additionally, USA Triathlon condemns the use of substances or methods aimed at artificially enhancing athletic performance. The use of prohibited substances or methods or the use of substances or methods aimed at artificially enhancing performance, frequently referred to as “doping,” contravene the ethics of both sport and medical science, threaten the integrity and dignity of Olympic sport, erode public confidence in the Olympic Movement and jeopardize the well-being of athletes. Additionally, the use of substances on the WADA Prohibited List or the practice of artificially enhancing performance is inimical to the concept of sportsmanship and frustrates the desire to conduct fair athletic competitions. As a member National Governing Body of the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”) and as a member Federation of the International Triathlon Union (“ITU”), USA Triathlon adheres to the anti-doping rules of the USOC, USADA, WADA, and ITU. In addition, USAT complies with USOC Bylaws Section 8.7.j, which provides that, as a condition of membership in the USOC, each National Governing Body complies with the anti-doping policies and with the policies and procedures of the independent anti-doping organization designated by the corporation to conduct drug testing and adjudicate anti-doping rule violations. The USOC has designated the United States Anti-Doping Agency (“USADA”) as that organization.

NYTRI General Rules

NYTRI has staged over 600 multi-sport events and is proud to claim the best safety record in the country. The following rules and regulations have been designed for your personal safety and enjoyment. Failure to comply with these rules will result in penalties and/or disqualification.

Check-In
All athletes must have the following: Valid picture ID, current USAT Membership Card or receipt for a one-day license ($15.00). Both members of relay teams must be present by packet pick-up.

Safety
• Competitors must be familiar with the Competitive Rules of USA Triathlon and must conduct themselves accordingly.
• No entrants under 18 years of age for all NYC races.
• No entrants under 15 years of age for Pawling Triathlon and Staten Island races..
• It is the contestants responsibility to be familiar with and follow the race course.
• Each contestant is individually responsible for maintenance and repair of their bike.
• Race management has authority to change race course and format, check-in and start times at any time.

Race Numbers & Electronic Timing
• You may not use any chip other than the one that is assigned to you.
• After you finish the event, you must remove the chip and drop it in the collection bin at the end of the finish line chute.
• If you lose your chip during the race or fail to turn it in after you cross the finish line, you will be charged $100 for the lost chip.

Transition Area
In order to protect your bike and equipment, please make sure that only competitors are in the transition area. Family and friends should remain outside of the barriers at all times.
• Bicycles must be properly placed on assigned racks corresponding to race number.
• NO riding in the transition area or past the “DISMOUNT” signs.
• Bikes and equipment may only be removed from the transition area by competitors. BOTH the run number and bike number must be shown to security personnel.
• Due to heightened security, all bags/backpacks are subject to be inspected by security personnel upon entering the transition area.

Bike Rules
•No recumbent bikes allowed.

Helmets
• Riding without a hard-shell helmet will result in immediate disqualification.
• Penalties will be assessed for unsecured helmet chin straps leaving or entering the transition area.
• Helmets must be ANSI, SNELL or USCF approved.

Swim Rules
• Competitors must wear the official swim cap provided at check-in.
• Competitors will have their left shoulder and left calf marked with their bib number.
• You must notify a race official IMMEDIATELY and turn in your timing chip if you do not complete the swim.
• Wetsuits are only allowed in open water swims. No wetsuits are allowed in the Central Park Lasker Pool.

Drafting Rules
Riding in a pack and drafting is a serious violation. A distance of three bike lengths from the bike in front of you must always be maintained. You may not be closer than this distance for any period exceeding 15 seconds. If you are, you will be assessed a two-minute penalty for each infraction.

If another competitor is drafting you, yell at him to stop drafting. If you wish to file an official complaint regarding drafters, you must record their race number. A competitor who has three drafting reports filed by other competitors will automatically receive a two-minute penalty.

Central Park Alert
The course is only closed to cars (except for official vehicles) but NOT to pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, skaters, etc. While biking, competitors must be aware and considerate of non-competitors who will also be sharing the Park roads with competitors. You do not have right of way or priority over other users of Central Park because you are competing in this event.
• Contestants must follow instructions of race officials and public authorities and must obey all traffic laws.
• Contestants must ride in designated lanes at all times.
• Bikes are not allowed inside the Boathouse and must be left in the transition area.

Race Violations & Penalties
Each of the following actions will result in a 2-minute penalty:
• Riding in/out of transition area.
• Entering/exiting transition area under, over, or between barriers.
• Bicycle not on assigned bike rack or racked incorrectly.
• Race # not visible at ALL times while competing or in the transition area.
• Unsecured helmet chin strap leaving or entering the transition area.
• Drafting or “pack riding” violation.
• Accepting outside assistance or being paced by non-competitor.

Disqualification
Each of the following actions will result in a immediate disqualification:
• Unsportsmanlike conduct/verbal abuse of a volunteer or race official. (determined by race officials)
• Failure to cover complete race course.
• Cycling in jogging/recreation lane (extreme left lane – marked off with double white line).
• Riding without an approved biking helmet.
• Wearing headphones during any portion of race.

Notice of Filming and Photography
When you enter a New York Triathlon Event (“NYTRI”) event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by NYTRI and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar NYTRI events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of NYTRI. You release NYTRI, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings.

By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by NYTRI or the person or entity designated to do so by NYTRI.

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN RACE!