# Part 6: Running (World Triathlon Competition Rules)

Triathlon · Part 6: Running · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/triathlon/laws/part-6-running/)

How athletes must move on the run, pacing and company on the course, contact between runners, the finish, safety, banned items and running shoes.

## 6.61 The Run

Moving on the run, pacing and company, contact between runners, the finish, safety, banned items and shoes.

### Test 1: How athletes move on the run

- Athletes will run or walk; crawling is not allowed. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (i), (iii) (Running))
- Crawling is a disqualification and the athlete is removed from competition, which also serves their safety. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (iii), 6.3 a; Appendix K 94 (Running))
- The bib is always worn in age-group events; in other events the Technical Delegate may make it mandatory and says so at the briefing. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (ii) (Running))
- The race briefing is where athletes learn whether the Technical Delegate has made it compulsory. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (ii) (Running))
- Running with a helmet on is a warning and amend where possible, otherwise disqualification. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (v); Appendix K 97 (Running))
- Athletes must not run with a bare torso. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (iv) (Running))
- Using posts, trees or other fixed elements to assist in manoeuvring curves is not allowed. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (vi) (Running))
- A helmet is warning and amend where possible; a post gives a time penalty; crawling is a disqualification. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), Appendix K 94, 97, 98 (Running))
- Running with a helmet is a warning and amend where possible: the athlete is stopped, corrects it and continues. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (v); Appendix K 97 (Running))
- Using a fixed object such as a post to get round a curve is a time penalty. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (vi); Appendix K 98 (Running))

### Test 2: Pacing and company on the course

- Athletes may not be accompanied by non-competing athletes, team members, managers or other pacemakers, on or alongside the course. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (vii) (Running))
- Elite, U23, junior, youth and para athletes must not run with or take pace from an athlete one or more laps ahead. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (viii) (Running))
- The lapped-pacing ban applies to elite, U23, junior, youth athletes and para triathletes, not to age-groupers. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (viii) (Running))
- The rule on running with or taking pace from an athlete on another lap is written for elite-level and para athletes. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (viii) (Running))
- Team managers are listed by name, next to team members and other pacemakers who are not racing. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (vii) (Running))
- Athletes cannot be accompanied by any non-competing person in the finish chute; the penalty is disqualification. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.3 b; Appendix K 99 (Running))
- The ban covers company both on the course and alongside it. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (vii) (Running))
- Age-groupers are not covered by the lapped-pacing rule, so there is no penalty; using a fixed object to help round a bend costs a time penalty; company in the finish chute means disqualification. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (vi), (viii), 6.3 b; Appendix K 95, 98, 99 (Running))
- The fix here is simple: the pacemaker goes, and the athlete keeps racing without penalty time. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 3.2 c; Appendix K 96 (Running))
- Athlete 9 is a lap down on athlete 23 and running with them, which an elite racer may not do. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 a (viii) (Running))

### Test 3: Contact between runners

- Accidental contact, followed at once by moving away and with no fall, carries no penalty. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 b (Running))
- Contact that continues to impede the other athlete without moving away earns a time penalty. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 c; Appendix K 102 (Running))
- Deliberately targeting another athlete means disqualification, and the athlete may be reported to the Tribunal for suspension or expulsion. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 d; Appendix K 103 (Running))
- The disqualified athlete may be reported to the World Triathlon Tribunal for potential suspension or expulsion. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 d (Running))
- The no-penalty case needs all three: accidental, moving away at once, and no fall caused. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 b (Running))
- Staying in the way after the touch is what the rule punishes, with a time penalty. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 c (Running))
- Targeting is deliberate, impedes progress, gains an unfair advantage or may cause harm or a fall. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 d (Running))
- No penalty, then a time penalty, then disqualification with a possible Tribunal report. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 b-d (Running))
- Each step keeps one condition of the free pass: accident, separation, no fall. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 b (Running))
- Every box in the report points the same way: an accident that was cleared at once and hurt no one. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.1 b (Running))

### Test 4: The finish, safety and banned items

- The finish is the moment any part of the torso crosses the vertical line from the leading edge of the finish line. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.2 a (Running))
- The finish is judged at a vertical line extending from the leading edge of the finish line. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.2 a (Running))
- The responsibility of remaining on the course rests with the athlete. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.3 a (Running))
- Any athlete who appears to present a danger to themselves or others may be removed from the competition. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.3 a (Running))
- Headphones, headsets or technical earplugs inserted in or covering the ears are illegal equipment. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 a (Running))
- Glass containers are listed as illegal equipment. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 b (Running))
- Crutches, canes, poles or any device that helps progress by pushing or pulling with the arms are illegal (para athletes have their own rules in Part 17). (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 d (Running))
- The torso crossing the line is the finish; penalties after the race go up on the white board in the post-finish area. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.2 a; 3.6 b (ii) (Running))
- No non-competitor may join the runner in the chute; the finish is judged at the line; penalties are posted on the board in the post-finish area. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.2 a, 6.3 b; 3.6 b (ii) (Running))
- Only D has part of the torso past the line. A reaches across with a hand and B with a foot; neither counts. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.2 a (Running))

### Test 5: Running shoes

- World Triathlon follows the World Athletics Shoe Regulations applicable to road events. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (i) (Running))
- Customised shoes are permitted after approval by the World Triathlon Technical Committee. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (ii) (Running))
- The shoe must already be on the World Athletics list of approved shoes as a development shoe, within the approved dates. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (iii) (Running))
- Development shoes are excluded from top elite events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (iii) (Running))
- Athletes are subject to random shoe control before, during or after any competition. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (iv) (Running))
- Information on an unidentified shoe, and maybe the shoe itself, must be sent to World Triathlon within 7 days. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (iv) (Running))
- If the shoe is confirmed legal the note is removed; in any other case the athlete is disqualified. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (v) (Running))
- An unidentified shoe is verified at headquarters; the result carries UNC until the shoe is confirmed legal. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (iv)-(v) (Running))
- The shoe must be on the approved list, the request goes to the World Triathlon Technical Committee, and the race must fall within the approved dates. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (iii) (Running))
- UNC (uncertified) marks an athlete whose shoes are under review; it is removed if the shoe is confirmed legal. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 6.4 e (v) (Running))

Sources: World Triathlon Competition Rules, January 2025, Part 6 and Appendix K (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the rules, not reproduced)

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