A Summary of Key XTERRA and Event Rules
- Good sportsmanship applies at all times
- You must obey traffic regulations/Road Code and race officials at all times
- Treat other competitors, officials and volunteers with respect and courtesy: there is no race without them
- Do not accept assistance from anyone not competing in the race
- You must not use cell phones, radios, headsets, digital music players. Note: GoPro cameras are permitted
- Only competitors are permitted in the transition area
- You must swim wearing the official swimming cap as provided at registration
- Keep you gear close to your bike so it does not interfere with other athletes
- You must run with your bike to the mount line when leaving and dismount there on your return = NO riding in the transition area
- You must return your bike to your place where you racked it before the start of the race
- Your helmet must be fastened/secured on your head before you remove your bike from the rack and it is to stay fastened until you have re-racked the bike on your return
- Your bike must be racked by the seat
- DO NOT discard bottles, gel satchels or anything else on the course! You can ONLY discard items in the transition where your gear is stored or at designated areas on the course
- If you deliberately impede the progress of another competitor, you will be disqualified
- In the run section, you MUST wear shoes and may walk if you wish
- No personal equipment is to be removed from transition until all competitors are back from the MTB course
- You MUST have your race number attached to the bikes front handle bars and wear your number on your front on the run course
- There are penalties for athletes if the Race Rules are not followed and these include Time Penalties and/or Disqualification. If you do receive a Penalty and wish to protest it, see the Race Referee within 15 minutes of finishing
Technical Rules
Swim
- Wetsuits are allowed.
- Wetsuits are mandatory at 14°C.
- These temperature rules may not agree with some National Federation rules and may be waived by the race director at his discretion.
- Buoys: Any athlete confirmed cutting a buoy will be assessed a 2-minute penalty.
- General Swim: No fins or swimming aids are allowed.
- Swim Caps will be provided and must be worn.
Mountain Bike
- No aero bars are allowed. Bar extensions or grips off the handlebars may not exceed 5”.
- Racers shall complete the entire event on the same bicycle upon which the event was begun. Your bike must accompany you throughout the duration of the bike course.
- Passing: Lapped riders must yield to overtaking riders. Riders should voice the command “Track” or ”On your left,” when overtaking another. It is the responsibility of the faster rider to overtake safely. Slower riders must yield to the passing rider on the first command. In the event two riders are racing for position, the leading rider does not have to yield his position to the challenging rider. However, a rider may not bodily interfere with or impede another rider’s progress.
- Drafting: Drafting is allowed.
- Bike numbers must be mounted on the handlebars facing forward.
- Cutting of numbers or altering is not allowed.
- Helmets must be worn at all times.
- No riding of bikes is allowed in the transition area.
Run
- Numbers: Numbers must be worn on the front of the body. Cutting numbers or altering is not allowed.
- Passing: Lapped runners must yield to overtaking runners. Runners should voice the command “Track” or ”On your left,” when overtaking another. It is the responsibility of the faster runner to overtake safely.
- Slower runners must yield to the passing runner on the first command.
General Rules
- Ignorance of the rules will not be considered as an excuse.
- Competitors must be 14 years of age or older to compete in the XTERRA individual event.
- It is the racer’s responsibility to maintain adequate hydration. Organizer will provide hydration stations on the run.
- Cutting the course: Short-cutting and/or cutting trail switchbacks or course is not permitted and may result in disqualification. A rider is required to stay on the designated trail that is marked and or specified as the racecourse. It is the rider’s responsibility to know the designated race course. Lack of tape or barrier on the course will not be constituted as an excuse for cutting course.
- Outside assistance: Limited outside assistance is allowed from another athlete competing in the same event. No outside assistance is allowed from any person not competing in the same event. These include but are not limited to spectators, friends, family, volunteers, support crew, photographers, police or marshals.
- Assistance is limited to tools, tubes or any item that would be used to repair a faulty part or damaged bicycle or water, food, or first aid. Changing bikes is not allowed.
- As example: a competing athlete is allowed to give another athlete a chain tool or link or a complete chain. A competing athlete can give another athlete a tire patch, tube or complete wheel. But an athlete cannot exchange bikes with another competitor so that the competitor with the broken bike can simply continue without fixing the break.
- Conduct: Foul riding or running, unsportsmanlike behaviour or the use of profane or abusive language is grounds for disqualification.
- Protests: Protests of any nature must be submitted within one hour of the finish time of the person lodging the protest. Protests must be submitted in writing and signed by the accuser. Saying somebody cut the course is not good enough – it must be written and described as accurately as possible. All protests will be investigated. Because of the nature of XTERRA, it is not always possible to see infractions. XTERRA is in the woods, out of sight and marshalled only where necessary. In every case there will need to be verification of the infraction. Officials will not be drawn into a “hear-say” argument.
- Miscellaneous: No type of sound device is allowed during competition. Examples: no headsets, tape players, CD players, MP3 players or 2-way radios may be worn.
- Penalties: Penalties will be determined by the severity of the infraction. The minimum penalty will always be 2 minutes.