Rules

Some of the most basic rules to be aware of when taking part are set out below:

Swim

a.) Athletes may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water. They may also tread water or float.

b.) Athletes must follow the prescribed swim course;

c.) In an emergency, an athlete should raise an arm overhead roll onto there back and call for assistance. Once official assistance is rendered, the athlete must retire from the competition and give his/her details to a marshal.

Wetsuits are mandatory a full-length suit.

Swim caps issued must be worn.

Race numbers issued must be worn for the bike and run and be visible at all times.

Bike​

a.) An athlete is not permitted to:

(i) Block other athletes;
(ii) Cycle with a bare torso;
(iii) Make forward progress without being in possession of the bike.

​b.) Dangerous Behaviour:

(i) Athletes must obey the specific traffic regulations for the event, unless a Technical Official advises otherwise; A DQ will be applied for going through a red light.
(ii) Athletes leaving the field of play for safety reasons have to return to it without gaining any advantage. If advantage is gained due to this action, the athlete will receive a time penalty to be served in Transition Area.

Helmets

The helmet must be securely fastened at all times when the athlete is in possession of the bike, which means from the time they remove their bike from the rack at the start of the bike leg, until after they have placed their bike on the rack at the finish of the bike leg;

Drafting

Carrickfergus Castle Triathlon is a non-drafting event, it is forbidden to cycle close behind another competitor in order to gain a benefit from the reduced wind resistance or drag the bicycle draft zone will be 10 meters long measured from the leading edge of the front wheel. An athlete may enter the draft zone of another athlete, but must be seen to be progressing through that zone. A maximum of 20 seconds will be allowed to pass through the zone of another athlete.

Mount & Dismount Line

Athletes must mount their bicycles after the mount line by having one complete foot contact with the ground after the mount line. Athletes must dismount their bicycles before the dismount line by having one complete foot contact with the ground before the dismount line. While in the transition area (before the mount line and after the dismount line) the bike can be pushed only by the athlete’s hands. If during the mount or dismount manoeuvre, the athlete loose their shoe(s) or other equipment, they will be collected by the TOs and no penalty will be applied. Mount and dismount lines are part of the transition area.

Relay

Relay change over from Swim-Bike-Run will take place within the Transition Area. From the Swim to the Bike the wet suit must first be removed before the timing chip is passed on to the person on the bike. The bike can only be removed after the timing chip has been placed around the ankle and the bike helmet has been fitted and fastened. From Bike to Run the bike has first to be raked before the timing chip is handed over to the runner and fixed around the ankle. A penalty will be applied to any team for any breach.

Nudity

Nudity or indecent exposure is forbidden

Transition

​Marking positions in the Transition Area is forbidden. Marks and boxes used for marking purposes will be removed and the athletes will not be notified.

Illegal Equipment

a.) Headphone(s) and headset(s).

b.) Glass containers/bottles.