Regulation

2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro Rules

1. GENERAL RULES
2. RACE TECHNICAL RULES
3. SPECIFIC RACE TECHNICAL RULES
    3.1. SWIM
    3.2. BIKE
    3.3. RUN
4. PENALTIES

1. GENERAL RULES

1.1. The 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro, on August 10th, will be run under the following categories: Male Age-Group: 18 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80 plus and PC; Female Age-Group: 18 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80 plus and PC.

1.2.  This race does not offer Elite category. Elite athletes may compete on their Age Group category, however, will not be eligible for receiving an award nor a slot to Ironman World Championship. To compete, Elite athletes may have to register regularly at the official website, respecting dates and payment of the fee.

1.3. It will be considered, for the classification in the age group, the athlete’s age on the December 31st, 2025. The minimum age for participation is 18 years old. As regards these rules, the reference date for the contestant’s age is the day of the race.

1.4. Any athlete holding elite/ professional status from their National Triathlon Federation or an IRONMANProfessional Membership (as verified by elite/ pro status of an athlete’s National Triathlon Federation) is prohibited from racing as an AGE GROUP athlete in ANY sanctioned triathlon events anywhere in the world, where there is an elite/ pro wave, within the same calendar year. Disqualification and potential sanction from WTC events, and forfeiture of any AGE GROUP World Championship qualifying slots may result for any athlete that has not adhered to this policy.

1.5. Athletes can only register online at www.ironmanbrasil.com.br until one month prior to the race, or when it achieves the technical limit registered athletes. More information regarding the registration process is available at the Official Website. All athletes must pay the “day use” fee to the local Triathlon Federation, which will be informed close to the event. The athlete who does not do so, will not be able to check in for the race.

1.6. Event cancellations, transfers and refunds:

1.6.1. All the registered athletes, excpet those transferred from other events and/or editions, will be authorized to transfer their registration to another IRONMAN 70.3 race in Brazil, in 2025, or the IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro 2026, if slots are available, subject to these conditions: (a) transfer requests must be sent to the following email address: contato@unlimitedsports.com.br, by July 10th, 2025; (b) the athlete must complement the registration fee in case the race for which the transfer is made has a higher registration fee; (c) differences in lower amounts will not be reimbursed by the Organization; (d) the athlete must be aware that their right to transfer can only be exercised once and, by choosing to transfer the registration, waives any partial refund or transfer.

1.6.2. The registered athletes, excpet those transferred from other events and/or editions, who wish to have them cancelled for whatever reason, have until July 10th, 2025, to request an 50% (fifthy percent) reimbursement of the registration cost, except fees. The request must be made exclusively by the following email address: contato@unlimitedsports.com.br .

1.6.3. After July 10th, 2025, there will be no possibility of refund or event transfer.

1.6.4. The convenience fee is not refundable.

1.6.5. It is not possible to transfer the registration to other people, under any personal or medical reason.

1.7. The 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro will qualify age group athletes for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

1.7.1. Final slot allocation will be determined on race day based on the number of official starters in each age group. If there are no starters in a particular Age Group, no slot will be allocated. If there are no finishers in a particular Age Group that had at least one participant start then that slot will be moved to the next calculated Age Group within the gender. Athletes MUST claim their slot in-person at the qualifying race during the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Slot Allocation and Rolldown Ceremony. Check the event schedule of events for time and location of the ceremony.

1.7.2. Anyone who wishes to claim a Rolldown slot must attend the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Slot Allocation and Rolldown Ceremony and claim their slot in person. If an automatic qualifier in an Age Group chooses not to take the slot, does not attend the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Slot Allocation and Rolldown Ceremony, or has already qualified, the next eligible finisher in that Age Group may claim the slot that has rolled down.

1.7.3. If there are no more eligible finishers in a particular Age Group or no other finishers in attendance at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Slot Allocation and Rolldown Ceremony in that Age Group, that unclaimed slot will be reallocated to another Age Group within the gender based on the athletes-to-slots ratio. The Age Group within the gender with the largest athletes-to-slots ratio will receive the first reallocated slot, followed by the next largest ratio receiving the second re-allocated slot (if applicable), and so on.

1.8. Considering modalities regulations and the technical and security aspects in the race courses, Race General and Specific Rules can be modified until the Online Athlete Briefing presentation, according to the Race Schedule.

1.9. It is elected the county board of Rio de Janeiro, upon the express waiver of any other as privileged as it may be, for dispelling any doubts arising from this Race Regulation.

2. RACE TECHNICAL RULES

2.1. Athlete packet will be delivered in place and dates informed at the Official Website. The athlete who does not get the race packet according to this schedule will be disqualified.

2.2. To get the race packet, the athlete must be present and show his/her passport and sign the Responsibility record and Medical record. Athletes are encouraged to present a medical certificate older less than 6 months.

2.3. The athlete who gives his/her race kit to someone else, as well as the athlete who receives it, will be suspended for two years from any IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 race around the world.

2.4. Bike check-in is mandatory at the Transition Area according to the race schedule, available at the Offical Website. Each athlete’s equipment must be placed in the designated transition spot, according to the policy stated in the Athlete Guide, which will be released prior one month to the race.

2.5. Bike check-out will happen according to the race schedule, available at the Official Website, with the presentation of the bib number. If by any reason the athlete is not able to do it, he/she will appoint someone, through an appropriate document from the race-kit, and, with this, the athlete bb number and an official ID in hands he/she will be able to check out the bike and the bags.

2.6. The use of the chip and chip holder provided by the Organization is mandatory for all contestants during the whole race. In the case of lost, the competitor must inform refereeing.

2.7. Athletes must have their chip in order to enter and claim their bike and gear, during bike check out. Or they’ll be billed R$ 350,00 (three hundred and fifty reais) for its replacement before having acces to the transition area.

2.8. The Organization is not responsible for athletes’ belongings lost inside or outside the Transition area, however, will put up a “Lost and Found” booth according to the race schedule at the Official Website – www.ironmanbrasil.com.br. After that period, no further claims will be accepted.

2.9. Athletes will have, considering his/her wave start time, up to 01:10 hours to complete the Swim portion, up to 5:00 hours to complete the Bike portion and 8:00 hours to complete the Run portion. During the race, the last wave start will be considered to disqualify (DNF – did not finish) an athlete, being unable to proceed in the race. After the race, official results will be valued considering the different start times and the athlete who exceeds the cut off time for any course portions will be disqualified, receiving a DNF. IRONMAN officials reserve the right to pull athletes off the course who exceed any established course time cut-offs.

2.10. The athlete who does not strictly conform to the course for each section will be eliminated or disqualified at any time if there is proof from the race’s official documentary controls.

2.11. There will be aid stations at the bike and run courses. Location and items to be served will be described at the Athlete Guide, which will be released one month prior the race at the Official Website.

2.12. IRONMAN medical staff reserve the right to pull athletes off the course who is unable to keep on the course, according to medical criteria.

2.13. Any physical or moral offense from an athlete towards any member of the Organization will be penalized with disqualification, and the offender may be suspended from any IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 event promoted by Unlimited Sports.

2.14. The Organization has the power to make decisions with respect to any Race-related situation before, during, and/or after the Race, including situations not specifically covered in the Competition Rules.

2.15. The official results will be available on IRONMAN Tracker app at 06:00 PM – none of the previous results or partials should be considered official. The punished athlete can appeal to the Competition Jury regarding the official results at the Award Ceremony stage, from 06:00 PM to 06:30 PM, on race day.

2.16. All athletes are subject to anti-doping testing.

2.17. Every athlete who finishes the race will receive a medal. The top five finishers in each Age Group category will receive a trophy.

2.18. Compete without receiving assistance from other parties (other than from Race Referees, Race Officials, and other athletes). Receiving assistance will result in disqualification.

3. SPECIFIC RACE TECHNICAL RULES

3.1. SWIM

3.1.1. The swim course comprises 1,9km.

3.1.2. The race start will be on rolling start format, according to the Athlete’s Guide, available at the Official Website. Each athlete must start according to race schedule described at the Athelte’s Guide. Any athlete who misses the start schedule window will be disqualified.

3.1.3. The athletes are obligated to wear the swimming cap given by the organization. The athlete who doesn’t wear it will be disqualified.

3.1.4. In the event the location does not present safety minimum standard conditions, the swimming start will be replaced by the cycling start in time trial mode. The procedures will be properly announced at the Technical Congress presentation. In exceptional situations of unforeseeable circumstances or force majeure, which may lead to the cancellation of the race altogether, the athletes will be notified by the Organization and their registrations will be transferred to another IRONMAN race or IRONMAN 70.3 race in Brazil, only if the registration is not closed and there is availability based on each category , without any additional costs, without implying in any liability of any nature to the Organizer, especially with regards to previous expenses for hosting and traveling.

3.1.5. The athlete must go around the turn buoys, according to the Athlete Briefing orientation. The athlete who fails doing that will be disqualified.

3.1.6. The use of any kind of auxiliary equipment to swim is forbidden. If an athlete uses it, he/she will be disqualified (except goggles and wetsuit clothes, if allowed).

3.1.7. The use of a wetsuit is permitted to the athlete of the Age Groups at water temperature up to and including 24.6ºC. The Event´s Direction will measure and announce the water temperature on the Athletes’ Briefing, as an alert. One and a half hour before the race start, a new measurement will be taken to determine whether the use is permitted or not; this measure will be announced by the sound system. If the water temperature is 24.6ºC or higher, the use of a wetsuit, compressions socks and/or any kind of sleeve will be forbidden. In this case, it´s allowed the of swimwear (skinsuits/speedsuits) made of 100% textile material, such as nylon or lycra. Swimwear must not be consisted of rubberized material such as neoprene or polyurethane. It must not cover the neck, extend past the elbows and the knees. If an athlete wears a wetsuit without the event’s direction permission, he/she will be disqualified.

3.2. BIKE

3.2.1. The Bike course is 90.1 km long.

3.2.2. The athlete must always wear a fastened helmet when in contact with his/her bike. In case the athlete doesn’t do this, he/she will be disqualified.

3.2.3. Uniforms with a front zip must not be undone below the point of the end of the breastbone (sternum). The athlete will be disqualified if not remedied promptly.

3.2.4. The race number must be visible in the frontal part of the helmet; it shall not be altered from its original format. Failure to meet this rule will result in a yellow card penalty.

3.2.5. The athlete has to push his/her bike until the mounting line and to get off the bike before the dismounting line. In case he/she fails to do it, he/she will be penalized with a yellow card.

3.2.6. The Athlete Draft Zone is 12 meters, measured from the leading edge of the front wheel of the leading cyclists and extending towards the back of the bike. This means that athletes must maintain a 6 bike lengths of clear space between his or herself and the bike in front of them. Athletes will have 25 seconds to overtake an athlete. If the athlete does not obey this rule, he/she will be given a blue card.

3.2.7. A “pass” occurs when the overtaking athlete’s front wheel passes the leading edge of the front wheel of the athlete being overtaken. If the athlete does not obey this rule, he/she will be given a yellow card.

3.2.8. The overtaking athlete (the athlete making the pass) may not back out of the a draft zone after entering into it. Once an overtaking athlete enters the draft zone of another athlete, a pass must be completed. If a pass is not completed, the athlete will receive a blue card.

3.2.9. Trash or any material must be discarded only in the designated trash drop zones at each aid station. An athlete who discards any item outside this location will receive a blue card.

3.2.10. It is forbidden to the athlete the use of headsets; its use is punished with a yellow card and may result in disqualification if the situation is not remedied promptly, the athlete will be disqualified.

3.2.11. Athletes must not make any forward progress unaccompanied by their bicycle. If a bicycle is rendered inoperable, an athlete may proceed on the cycling course, running or walking, while pushing or carrying the bicycle, so long as the bicycle is pushed or carried in a manner not to obstruct or impede the progress of other athletes. (DSQ)

3.3. RUN

3.3.1. The run course is 21.1 km long.

3.3.2. The use of the race number is mandatory and must be placed in the frontal part of the athlete’s body, clearly visible and unaltered in any way. In case it is not, the athlete will be disqualified.

3.3.3. Individual non-participant escort runners or cyclists are prohibited. If a Referee identifies such an event, the athlete will receive a yellow card.

3.3.4. Uniforms with a front zip must not be undone below the point of the end of the breastbone (sternum). The athlete will be disqualified if not remedied promptly.

3.3.5. It is forbidden to the athlete the use of headsets; its use is punished with a yellow card and may result in disqualification if the situation is not remedied promptly.

3.3.6. Trash or any material must be discarded only in the designated trash drop zones at each aid station. The athlete who discards any item outside this location will receive a blue card.

3.3.7. Friends, family members, and/or other spectators are not permitted to cross the finish line or enter the finish chute with participating athletes. Athletes who choose not to respect the foregoing finish line policy will be disqualified.

4. PENALTIES

4.1. Race Referees will notify athletes of a rule violation by showing the athlete a colored card. Penalty card colors and their associated penalty is as follows: (1) Yellow Card means 30 Second Time Penalty, (2) Blue Card means 5:00 Minute Time Penalty, and (3) Red Card means disqualification. A suspension or an expulsion will occur for serious violations of the Competition Rules.

4.2. Swim-course time penalties will be served in the swim-to-bike transition area (“T1”) under instructions from a Race Referee.

4.3. Bike-course time penalties will be served in a designated Penalty Tent (“PT”). The location of the PTs will be stated in the Athlete Information Guide, to be released 1 month prior to the race. It is the athlete’s responsibility to report to the next PT on the course. Failure to stop at the next PT on the bike course will result in disqualification.

4.4. Run-course time penalties will be served at the point of the rule violation, under instructions from a Race Referee.

4.5. When cited for a rule violation on the bike course, the athlete must report to the next PT and tell the PT official the color of the card received. The athlete must stop at the nearest PT, remaining in the tent for 30 seconds (yellow card), or 5:00 minutes (blue card) and registering on the sign-in sheet. Each athlete is responsible for stopping at the next PT available on course. If the athlete fails to report to the next PT or fails to report the correct color of the card, the athlete will be disqualified.

4.6. When in the PT, the athlete is only allowed to consume food and/or water that in on their bike or person. Athletes are prohibited from using the restroom while serving a penalty. Using the restroom while serving a time penalty will result in a disqualification. Making adjustments to equipment or performing any type of bike maintenance while serving a penalty in the penalty tent is prohibited and will lead to a disqualification.

4.7. Any athlete who accumulates three (3) blue cards will be disqualified. If disqualified, an athlete may finish the Race unless otherwise instructed by a Race Referee.

4.8. A red card may be issued to an athlete for severe rule violations including, but not limited to, repeated rule violations, disregard for directives given by Race Referees or Race Officials, or dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct.

4.9. Disqualified athletes will not be eligible for age-group awards including, without limitation, IRONMAN World Championship slots or IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship slots. Neither timing splits nor Race results will be listed for disqualified athletes.