USAT Rules & Memberships

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USAT Rules & Memberships

USA Triathlon Competitive Rules: Click Here

Commonly Violated Rules & Penalties

Helmets: Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be used in USAT sanctioned events. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event.

  • Penalty: Disqualification

Chin Straps: Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle.

Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.
Outside Assistance: No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and duathlons are individual tests of fitness.

  • Penalty: Variable time penalty

Transition Area: All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant’s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.

  • Penalty: Variable time penalty

Drafting: Keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.

  • Position: keep to the right-hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.
  • Blocking: riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass.
  • Overtaken: once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.
  • Penalty: Variable time penalty

Course: All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.

  • Penalty: Referee’s discretion

Unsportsmanlike-Like Conduct: Foul, harsh, argumentative or abusive language or other unsportsmanlike conduct directed at race officials, USA Triathlon officials, volunteers, spectators or fellow athletes is forbidden.

  • Penalty: Disqualification

Headphones: Headphones, headsets, walkmans, iPods, mp3 players, or personal audio devices, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.

  • Penalty: Variable time penalty

Race numbers: All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must face the front and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT transfer your number to

any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing.

  • Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing or altered number, Disqualification and a one-year suspension from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission.

Wetsuits: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however, that participants who wear a wetsuit within such temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits are prohibited.

Abandonment: All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course.

  • Penalty: Variable time penalty

Memberships

A one-day license can be purchased while registering for an event. The cost of a one-day license is $15 for adults (One-Day is not available for youth 17 and under.) USA Triathlon does not sell one-day licenses directly.

One-Day Members:

You're missing out on the benefits of becoming an annual member of USA Triathlon! USA Triathlon offers an annual membership which eliminates the requirement to purchase one-day licenses for any USA Triathlon sanctioned event. The annual membership comes with exclusive sponsor discounts from USA Triathlon Partners.

Did you know:

You can apply the cost of a one-day license towards the purchase of an Annual Membership.

USA Triathlon Insurance Coverage

Athlete Excess Medical Policy

When athletes purchase a USAT annual or one-day membership, a portion of those fees cover the cost to provide them with excess medical insurance. This coverage only extends to their participation in an USA Triathlon sanctioned event and is only available after the injured party has filed with any primary insurance policies. Click Here for more information

Event Liability

USA Triathlon provides comprehensive liability insurance coverage to sanctioned events. The USA Triathlon policy automatically covers USA Triathlon race directors, sponsors, volunteers, officials, and participants while participating in sanctioned events. Click here for more information.