The event will be conducted in accordance with the World Triathlon(WT) and STC Series competition rules (Swipe up for more info).
1. General Rules
A. Create an atmosphere of sportsmanship, equality, and fair play.
B. Support ingenuity and skill without unduly limiting the athlete’s freedom ofaction.
C. Penalize athletes who gain, or seek to gain an unfair advantage.
2. Conditions of Participation
1) Athletes have to meet the age limit for entry and have experience in endurance sports.
2) Athletes have to sign Athlete Declaration when check in.
3. Conduct of Athletes
1) Practice good sportsmanship at all times.
2) Register for the race with his/her real name, impersonation is strictly prohibited. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. If an athlete register with a name other than his/her real name, he/she will be responsible for any insurance disputes caused.
3) Be responsible for his/her own safety and the safety of others. Be responsible for any liability associated with his/her own misconduct in the competition.
4) Know, understand and follow the Rules and Regulations of STC Triathlon Series.
5) Obey traffic regulations and instructions from race officials.
6) Treat other athletes, race officials, volunteers, and spectators with respect and courtesy.
7) Avoid displaying any kind of demonstration of political, religious or racial propaganda. Failure to obey laws or local ordinances and/or failure to refrain from demonstration will result in disqualification.
8) Avoid the use of abusive language in any event-related WeChat groups, event sites and other public places.
9) Compete without receiving assistance from other parties (other than from Race Referees and Race Officials).
10) Not dispose of trash or equipment on the course (except at aid stations or other designated trash-disposal points). Intentional or careless littering will result in a time penalty or disqualification.
11) Not dispose of trash or equipment on the course (except at aid stations or other designated trash-disposal points). Intentional or careless littering will result in a time penalty or disqualification.
12) Follow the prescribed course. It is the athlete’s responsibility to know the course. Athletes must cover the prescribed course in its entirety. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification. If an athlete must exit the course, he or she shall re-enter the course at the same point of departure before continuing.
13) Avoid indecent exposure and public nudity at all times during an Event. Indecent exposure/public nudity may result in a disqualification.
4. Penalties
1) Failure to comply with any of the Competition Rules may result in an athlete being punished. The penalties are as follows: warning, time penalty and disqualification.2) Race Referees will notify athletes of a rule violation with a verbal directive.
A. Verbal warning to the athlete, who should immediately correct his/her violation.
B. A Thirty-Second(30s) Time Penalty for common rule violations.
C. A Two-Minute (2 mins) Time Penalty for drafting violation.
3) A suspension or an expulsion will occur for serious violations of the Rules and Regulations (the severity of Competition Rule violations shall be determined by the Head Referee in consultation with the Global Head Referee, in their sole and absolute discretion).
4) In any circumstance where a Race Referee deems an unfair advantage has been gained by an athlete, or if a Race Referee determines that an athlete has intentionally or recklessly created a dangerous situation, such Race Referee may, at the Race Referee’s discretion, assess penalties to or disqualify athletes (even if such violations by the athlete are not expressly set forth in the Competition Rules).
5. Swim Rules
1) Athletes can use any swimming stroke, tread water or float to complete the swim leg.
2) Athletes have to wear the official swim cap, wristband and timing chip issued by the organizing committee, get ready at the swim start area 5 minutes before the start of the race.
3) Wearing a safety buoy is neither prohibited nor required. When wearing a safety buoy, the connecting rope must be longer than 40cm.
4) Topless athletes will not be allowed to enter the swim start area (not applicable for a sole swimming event). Indecent exposure/public nudity may result in a disqualification.
5) Each swimmer must wear an official swim cap provided by the Race Officials. If a swimmer wears two swim caps, the one issued by the organizing committee have to be worn on the outermost side. Failing to wear a swim cap at all times during the swim leg of the Race may result in a time penalty.
6) The use of snorkels, fins, gloves, paddles, or flotation devices of any kind (including pull buoys) is prohibited.
7) The Organizing Committee reserves the right to ask the athlete to remove jewelry and other accessories that are deemed to be harmful to the athlete him/herself or other athletes in the swim leg.
8) Any assistance during the swim will result in disqualification if forward progress was made. Athletes are permitted to use kayaks and boats as aid, as long as no forward progress is made. Race Officials and medical personnel reserve the right to remove athletes from the course if such removal is determined medically necessary.
9) It is the sole responsibility of each athlete to know and follow the prescribed swimming course. No adjustments in times or results will be made, for any reason whatsoever, for athletes who fail to follow the proper course. Taking shortcuts that result in the actual swim distance being shorter than the correct course may result in a time penalty, or in severe cases, disqualification.
10) In case of emergency, athletes can wave (or remove the swim cap) with one (both) hand(s) to call for help. Once the official help is accepted, it means that the athlete withdraws from the race and the timing chip will be take back by Race Referees.
11)The rescue team are allowed to use their professionalism to judge and immediately terminate the athlete if there is a safety concern.
12)The organizing committee have the right to change the location of the swim course, the distance of the swim course or cancel the swim course taking into account the weather and water temperature conditions.
6.Wetsuit Rules
1) For age-group athletes, wetsuits may be worn in water temperature up to and including 24.5 degrees C. If the water temperature is above 24.5 degrees C, wetsuits are prohibited, athletes who fail to do so will NOT be eligible for age-group awards). If the water temperature is below 19 degrees C, wetsuits are mandatory for all athletes. Whether athletes can wear a wetsuit or not will be announced before race.
2) The thickness of the wetsuit may not exceed 5mm. If the wetsuit consists of two or more pieces then the combined thickness of the overlapping pieces may not exceed 5mm.
3) A wetsuit may cover any part of the body except the face, hands or feet.
4) A race kit and timing chip may be worn underneath the wetsuit.
5) Suits, vests, or any clothing having any part made of rubberized material such as polyurethane or neoprene are prohibited. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
6) Buoyancy shorts are prohibited. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
7. Bike Rules
1) Only road bikes and triathlon bikes that meet safety requirements are allowed to participate in the race. Fixed gear bikes, folding bikes and mountain bikes are not allowed to participate. There must be two working brakes on both two wheels. There must be a free-wheeling mechanism between the crank and the rear wheel that allows the bicycle to roll forward while the pedals remain stationary.
2) Handlebars and stem must be fashioned to prevent any danger. All handlebar ends must be solidly plugged to lessen the possibility of injury.
3) Riding in bike leg without a helmet is prohibited.
4) The water system and maintenance tools must comply with the safety regulations of the event. The technical delegate reserves the right to prohibit the use of the equipment carried if the material or installation of the equipment has safety hazards.
5) For non-traditional or uncommon bikes and equipment, athletes must submit a written request to the race organizing committee via email at least 48 hours before the start of the race. The official email address is: info@stctri.com. Please state your name and category in the email, and provide the name, model and photo of your vehicle and equipment. Only after the technical delegate of the organizing committee has given his/her consent in writing can the athlete bring his/her vehicle or equipment for safety inspection and use in the race.
6) Drafting and Position Rules
A. “Drafting” means to remain within the draft zone (as described below) of another athlete for a period longer than 15 seconds. Drafting during the Race is prohibited.
B. The bicycle draft zone is 7 meters long, measured from the leading edge of the front wheel and extending towards the back of the bike. Athletes may enter the draft zone of another athlete when passing and must continuously progress through the draft zone. A maximum of 15 seconds will be allowed to pass through the zone of another athlete. Athletes will be given a Two-Minute time penalty for drafting violation and be disqualified if he/she gets 2 drafting violation penalties.
C. Athletes must remain outside of the draft zone except when passing. Failure to do so will result in a drafting violation. A “pass” occurs when the overtaking athlete’s front wheel passes the leading edge of the front wheel of the athlete being overtaken. The overtaking athlete may not back out of a draft zone after entering into it. Once an overtaking athlete enters the draft zone of another athlete, a pass must be completed. An overtaken athlete must immediately drop out of the draft zone of the passing athlete, and must continuously make rearward progress out of the draft zone of the passing athlete. Re-passing by the overtaken athlete prior to dropping out of the draft zone will result in an overtaken violation.
D. Overtaken athletes who remain within the draft zone of the passing athlete for more than 15 seconds will be given a drafting violation.
Exceptions: An athlete may enter the drafting zone without penalty only under the following conditions:
(i) If an athlete enters the drafting zone and completes a pass within 15 seconds;
(ii) For safety reasons;
(iii) Entering and exiting an aid station or transition area;
(iv) An acute turn;
(v) If a Race Official exempts a section of the course because of narrow lanes, constructions, detours, or for other safety reasons.
7) If a bike is rendered inoperable, an athlete may proceed on bike leg, running or walking, while pushing or carrying the bike, so long as the bike is pulled or carried in a manner not to obstruct or impede the progress of other athletes. Athletes can either return to the transition area by themselves or wait for the race shelter vehicle to arrive and take them off the course. If an athlete withdraws from the race due to bike failure, his/her timing chip will be removed and the result will be cancelled.
8) It is the sole responsibility of each athlete to know and follow the prescribed cycling course. No adjustments in times or results will be made, for any reason whatsoever, for athletes who fail to follow the proper course.
9) No cyclist shall endanger herself/himself or another athlete. Any cyclist who intentionally or recklessly presents a danger to any athlete or who, in the judgment of the Head Referee, appears to present a danger to any athlete will be disqualified.
10) All athletes must exercise extreme caution and decrease speed if necessary in passing the site of any cycling or other accident.
11) A mount and dismount line will be clearly designated at the entrance and exit of the transition area. Mounting the bike before the designated mount-line is prohibited. Dismounting after the dismount line is prohibited.
12) There will be timing splits on bike course, and only through the timing points will valid results be recorded.
13) Wearing earphones in bike leg is prohibited.
14) Cameras, phone cameras, and video cameras are prohibited unless permission is given by STC. If such permission is given by STC, it is the athlete’s responsibility to notify the Head Referee of such permission prior to the start of the Race. Athletes seen with an unauthorized camera, phone camera, or video camera will be disqualified.
15) Barefoot riding is prohibited.
16) The organizing committee have the right to change the location of the bike course, the distance of the bike course or cancel the bike course taking into account the weather and temperature conditions.
8. Run Rules
1) Athletes may run, walk, or crawl.
2) It is the sole responsibility of each athlete to know and follow the prescribed running course. No adjustments in times or results will be made, for any reason whatsoever, for athletes who fail to follow the proper course (e.g., if the athlete runs in the wrong direction or runs more than necessary, time will not be subtracted from the athlete’s final Race time)
3) All athletes must obey all traffic laws while on the running course unless otherwise specifically directed by a Race Referee or Race Official with actual authority.
4) Running with a bare torso is prohibited. Athletes must wear a shirt, jersey, or sport-top/sports bra at all times during the run leg.
5) Barefoot running is prohibited.
6) Athletes must wear their STC issued bib number in front of the athlete’s person and the bib must be clearly visible at all times on the run course. Bib numbers identify the official athletes in the Race. Folding, cutting the bib number, intentional alteration of any kind, or failure to wear bib number is prohibited and may result in disqualification.
7) Cameras, phone cameras, and video cameras are prohibited unless permission is given by STC. If such permission is given by STC, it is the athlete’s responsibility to notify the Head Referee of such permission prior to the start of the Race. Athletes seen with an unauthorized camera, phone camera, or video camera will be disqualified.
8) Athletes are prohibited from throwing away trash on the course. If there is trash that needs to be thrown away, athletes may save and throw away at the special trash disposal area at the energy station or at the public trash bins along the course.
9) Athletes have the obligation to judge their own physical condition and look for help from medical officials as soon as they feel unwell. The medical officials are allowed to use their professionalism to judge and immediately terminate the athlete if there is a safety concern.
10) The organizing committee have the right to change the location of the run course, the distance of the run course or cancel the run course taking into account the weather and temperature conditions.
9. Transition Area Rules
1) Athletes have to put their bike at the designated bike rack with their bib number in transition area. Each athlete’s equipment must be placed either in the athlete’s transition bags, on the athlete’s bike, or in the designated transition spot.
2) A mount and dismount line will be clearly designated at the entrance and exit of the transition area. Mounting the bike before the designated mount-line is prohibited. Dismounting after the dismount line is prohibited.
3) Athletes can only enter and exit the transition area with their number bib, body mark and wristband within the official transition area entry and exit times.
4) Athletes must not impede the progress of other athletes in the transition area.
5) Athletes must not interfere with another athlete's equipment in the transition area.
6) Athletes cannot stop in the flow zones of the transition area.
