Below are some general rules to help you when competing in a DB Max triathlon. Please remember them as you may be penalised, or even disqualified if you don’t observe the rules.
This information aims to acquaint you with the most widely broken rules, so you never have to see or hear from a referee and to hopefully make your race a safe and enjoyable one.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to speak to our referee at the race.
General Rules and Race Conduct
- It is your responsibility as a competitor to know all the rules. As in most walks of life, ignorance is no defence.
- It is your responsibility as a competitor to know and correctly complete the full course of the event.
- Foul and abusive language is not permitted and any failure to obey a marshal, the police or a referee will lead to disqualification.
- Marshals are often volunteers, who help the event team with the running of the DB Max events. Please respect them and where possible, thank them for their efforts.
- No outside assistance is allowed at any time during your race.
- Please do not use iPods, mobile phones or any other device that may impair your hearing or concentration anywhere on the course (including transition), as this will lead to disqualification.
- When racing, you need to be aware of other competitors and the general public, both on foot and in vehicles.
- You must wear a safety helmet on the bike leg that is of ANSI Z90.4, SNELL B90, EN 1078 or equivalent. A CE mark is not an approved standard. The strap to your helmet must also be snug in its fitting and not altered in any way (definitely not elastic). Helmets will be checked when racking your bike.
- Any fittings on your bike (computers, mountain bike handlebar extensions, etc.) must be positioned so as to prevent injury in the event of a crash. All handlebars and tribars must be plugged. This will be checked when racking your bike and you will not be allowed to race if your bike does not meet the required standards.
- Nudity is not allowed. Competitors must keep their chest covered at all times on the cycle and the run, no matter how hot it is.
- Bikes must be racked on the racking provided using either the seat post, handlebars or brake levers. Bikes must not be racked anywhere else and anybody not racking in this way will be disqualified.
- Remember to place your equipment down, as thrown equipment may interfere with other athletes and lead to a penalty.
- You are not permitted to bring boxes or large bags in to transition, only a small rucksack (or similar) are permitted. If you do bring anything like this with you it will be removed.
- Competitors are not allowed to mark their position in transition with any special device, or flag etc., and must be careful not to interfere with any equipment of other athletes, either deliberately or accidentally.
- At DB Max races, competitors must not remove their bike from the rack until their helmet is fastened. They must not unfasten their helmet until their bike is back in the rack.
- Race numbers must be worn and must be clearly visible at all times. They must not be altered or mutilated in any way as this will incur a penalty.
- Relays – Helmets must not be worn in relay exchange zones, instead they must remain on the bike before and after relay tagging.
- You must not mount your bike until advised to do so at the bike mount/dismount line outside of transition. There must be no cycling in transition.
- Personal video recording devices are not permitted.
- Littering is not permitted at any time. If litter is dropped accidentally you must pick it up.
Drafting
- Triathlon is an individual sport, so in an age group triathlon, drafting (riding close to another cyclist) is forbidden. However, drafting is allowed in the run so if you must draft please do it then.
- The draft zone is an area extending from the front wheel of the leading bike to a point 10m behind it and 1.5m either side of the cyclists centre point. If you wish to overtake the cyclist in front, you have 20 seconds, which in basic terms means you have to be travelling 1mph faster than them to pass in the allotted time. If your front wheel is not passed their wheel in the allotted time you must drop back to 10m from their front wheel.
- If another rider overtakes you, it is your responsibility to drop back out of their draft zone.
- If a referee thinks you are drafting there is no appeal against the decision, so the rule of thumb is – be squeaky clean. Drafting is cheating. If caught drafting once you will be penalised with a 2-minute penalty. If you get caught a second time you will be disqualified.
Remember, our referee will always be willing to answer any questions you may have.As long as you read this and follow the advice given, you should always be on the right side of the rules at all DB Max races.
