Rules

Rules Applying to all Segments of the Race

1. Athletes are required to heed directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities.
2. Course marshals shall have authority to disqualify athletes.
3. Medical personnel shall have ultimate and final authority to remove an athlete from the race if the athlete is judged to be physically incapable of continuing the race without risk of serious injury or death. Medical transport of any athlete will result in a DNF (Did not finish).
4. No athlete may use any drug or substance as prescribed by IOC Doping Control rules.
5. Fraud, theft, abusive treatment of volunteers and other acts of poor sportsmanship are grounds for immediate disqualification and potential exclusion from future Laguna Phuket Triathlons.
6. If an athlete decides to withdraw from the race at any time, it is the responsibility of the athlete to notify race officials at the information tent near the finish line.
7. i-pods or other music players are not permitted on any segments of the course.
8. Athlete's torso must be covered during the bike and run sections of the race. Failure to do so may result in a 1 minute penalty.
9. Laguna Phuket Triathlon reserves the right to make rule changes at any time provided all athletes are notified in writing or at the pre-race mandatory race briefing.
10. All athletes who reach the cut-off points after the cut-off times are required to take a shortened course. Athletes will be allowed to complete the race but will not be entitled to win age-group awards and will be declassified in the result lists.

Protest Procedure

Any participant who wishes to lodge a protest regarding any decision of the race administration or the conduct of any other participant(s) must file a written protest with the Race Director within 30 minutes of completing or withdrawing from the race and pay a protest fee of THB 1,000. The protest fee will only be refunded if the participant's protest has been successful.

The race director's decision is final and once made cannot be appealed. Any participant's misconduct during the protest procedure may lead to expulsion from any future Laguna Phuket Triathlons

Swim - 1.8k

1. The race will start with three wave starts. The waves will start off at 6:30 am, 6:37 am and 6:44am. Participants will be assigned to waves depending on their age group. Wave assignments will be announced prior to the race but no later thanat the race briefing.
2. All athletes must check-in for their assigned wave by crossing the timing mats set-up at the swim start. Athletes must follow the directions of race officials.
3. Athletes not checking in for their wave start will be penalized by automatically being given the start time of the first wave plus a 5 minute time penalty and their end time therefore being calculated from that start time plus the time penalty.
4. Each athlete must wear the official race cap. In the event that more than one swim cap is worn, the official race cap must be worn as the outer layer.
5. All athletes must be numbered at the Transition Area at the Laguna Beach Resort Y-junction when checking in equipment between 5.00am - 6.15am.
6. No wetsuits, speed suits, fins, aqua socks, gloves, paddles or floatation devices of any kind allowed. The average water temperature in December is 25°C/77°F.
7. Swim goggles or face masks may be worn.
8. No individual paddlers or escorts are allowed.
9. Athletes may accept assistance from any source provided they do not improve their competitive position without penalty or disqualification.
10. In the event that an athlete or group of athletes falls behind the main body of swimmers, race officials / lifesavers may move that swimmer or group of swimmers forward on the swim course by boat or paddle board in order to maintain contact with the main body of swimmers.. Swimmers who fail to reach the beach at the end of the sea swim within 45 minutes will be automatically moved to the end of the swim by boat. Swimmers moved forward on the swim course may complete the race but will not be eligible to win age group or other awards and will be declassified in the result list.
11. It is legal for athletes to arrange for family, friends or coaches to hand-off eyeglasses and other special items after the swim, all such hand-offs must be made along the chute between the swim finish and the Transition Area.
12. Swim Cut-off Times
    1:10 h after start of athlete's wave. In addition, athletes must have left transition 1:15h after the start of the their wave

Bike - 55k

1. A mandatory bike check in takes place on the day before the race between 10:00 am and 5:00pm. Athletes failing to check in their bike during the mandatory bike check-in will be given a time penalty of 5 minutes unless the athlete made arrangements for his/her bike to be checked in late or on race morning. Any athlete checking in his/her bike late without prior arrangement has the onus of of proof that his/her late check in was out of their control, for example a delayed arrival of airplane. Waiving the penalty for a late bike check-in will be at the discretion of the race director.
2. No tandems, recumbents, fairings or any devices designed exclusively to reduce air resistance are allowed.
3. Athletes must keep 7 meters (~4 bike lengths) distance between bikes except when passing. Failure to do so will result in a drafting violation.
4. A pass occurs when the overtaking athlete’s front wheel passes the leading edge of the athlete being overtaken.
5. Overtaking athletes may pass on the left for up to 20 seconds, but must move back to the right side of the road, after passing. Failure to complete a pass within 20 seconds will result in a drafting violation. Athletes may not back out of the 7-meter draft zone once it is entered (drafting violation).
6. An overtaken athlete must immediately fall back 7 meters (~4 bike lengths) before attempting to regain the lead from a front running bike. Immediately re-passing prior to falling back 7 meters will result in an overtaken violation.
7. An overtaken athlete who remains within 7 meters (~4 bike lengths) for more than 20 seconds will be given a drafting violation.
8. Athletes must ride single file on the far right side of the road except when passing another rider, or for reasons of safety. Side-by-side riding is not allowed and will result in a position violation.
9. Athletes who impede the forward progress of other athletes will be given a blocking violation.
10. Athletes committing rules violations will be notified “on the spot” by an official.
11. Do not attempt to discuss the penalty with the official.
12. The official will:
1. Call out your bib number, notify you that you have received either a RED CARD for drafting, or a YELLOW CARD for any other penalty. The official will show you the corresponding colored card.
2. Instruct you to report to the penalty tent (PT) at the Transition Area. . THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE PTs WILL BE STATED AT THE RACE BRIEFING.
13. The athlete will:
    1. Report to the next PT and tell the PT Official whether you were shown a RED CARD or a YELLOW CARD. If you fail to report to the next PT, you may be disqualified.
    2. Have race numbers marked by the PT Official with a “/” for drafting or a “P” for all other penalties.
    3. Register, via the sign-in sheet.
    4. Resume the race immediately, upon having your numbers marked with a “P” and registering, for all non-drafting violations (YELLOW CARD).
    5. Remain in the PT for four minutes for each drafting violation (RED CARD).
    6. Be disqualified if you receive any combination of three penalties. If you are disqualified, you may finish the bike course but may not start the run.
14. Each athlete must wear a race number at all times while on course. Race numbers issued by the Laguna Phuket Triathlon identify the official athletes in the race. Folding, cutting race number, intentional alteration of any kind, or failure to wear race number so that it is plainly visible is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.
15. ANSI or SNELL approved helmet is required during the entire bike race. Any athlete seen riding without an approved helmet will be immediately disqualified. Leather or vinyl hairnet helmets are not allowed. Helmets must be securely buckled at all times competitors are on the bike.
16. No individual support is allowed except as permitted by these rules. Friends, family members, coaches or supporters of any type may not bike or drive alongside contestants, may not pass food or other items to contestants and should be warned to stay completely clear of all participants to avoid the disqualification of a participant. It is incumbent upon each contestant to immediately reject any attempt to assist, follow or escort.
17. Each athlete will be individually responsible for repair and maintenance of his/her own bike. Assistance by anyone other than race personnel will be grounds for immediate disqualification. Each cyclist should be prepared to handle any possible mechanical malfunction.
18. Athletes are required to heed directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities.
19. Athletes may walk their bike if necessary.
20. Athletes are individually responsible for following traffic laws and are solely responsible for the consequences of any infractions. Cyclists riding in violation of traffic laws may be disqualified. At all times, contestants should remain on the left side of the road.
21. While there will be traffic control on the bike course, it may be impossible to close the roads. Therefore, at all times during the race, contestants should assume that cars may be on the road and take all necessary safety precautions.
22. Yellow Line Rule: On out and back sections (two way bike traffic) on the course, athletes must stay on the left side of the road at all times, except when an athlete is directed to cross the yellow line by a race official. Any athlete crossing the mid-point of the road will be disqualified or time-penalized.
23. The bike course has both flat and some steep hilly sections. We recommend 24-28 tooth rear sprockets. Athletes are advised to take extreme care on all turns and in areas where there are driveways.
24. Because of the heat, it is highly recommended that all competitor bikes have a minimum of two water bottle cages.
25. Yellow Flag Area and Rules: The purpose of the Yellow Flag Area is to slow all bikes to a safe speed through a dangerous area and to assure athletes that they will not suffer a competitive disadvantage by riding carefully through the area. The one Yellow Flag Area is located approximately at the 8k mark on a very steep curvy downhill on the bike course. This area is approximately 600 metres long. A white line across the road and a race official waving a yellow flag identify the start of the Yellow Flag Area. Inside the Yellow Flag Area riders must:
1. Sit up on handlebars with hands on the brakes.
2. Ride no faster than 20 kph.
3. Not pass any other athletes.

Any athlete failing to follow Yellow Flag Area rules and restrictions will be penalized between 1 and 5 minutes depending upon the severity of the violation. Athletes attempting to take a competitive advantage in a Yellow Flag Area will be most heavily penalized. A white line across the pavement and an official waving a green flag identify the end of the Yellow Flag Area. Once the rider exits the Yellow Flag Area he/she may immediately resume racing.

26.  Bike Cut-off Times:
    27K – 9:30
    37K – 10:15

Run - 12k

1. No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed.
2. Athletes must wear race number at all times while on course. Race number must be placed on the front where it is clearly visible. Folding, cutting race number, intentional alteration of any kind, or failure to wear race number is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.
3. Individual support vehicles or non-participant escort runners are NOT allowed and will result in disqualification. A non-participant escort runner includes athletes who have withdrawn from the race, have been disqualified or have finished the race. Friends, family members, coaches or supporters of any type may not bike, drive or run alongside athletes, may not pass food or other items to athletes and should be warned to stay completely clear of all athletes to avoid the disqualification of an athlete. It is incumbent upon each athlete to immediately reject any attempt to assist, follow or escort. It is permissible for an athlete who is still competing to run with other athletes who are still competing.
4. Athletes are expected to follow the direction and instruction of all race officials and public authorities.
5. The race course will be a 6k course of which athletes must complete two laps to finish the 12k course.
6. Run Cut-off Times:
   1.5K, 7.5K @ 12:00