What are the rules on the run in a triathlon?
B · Beginner · The run, penalties and relays · 5 of 5Athletes may run or walk but not crawl. They must keep their torso covered and their helmet off, and may not be paced by anyone who is not racing or wear headphones. The finish is judged on the torso: the moment any part of it crosses the line.
How it works
- Run or walk: the athletes will "Run or walk" and "Not crawl".
- Torso covered: "Not run with a bare torso".
- Helmet off: "Not run with a bike helmet on".
- No help round corners: no using posts, trees or other fixed objects to swing round curves.
- No pacers: not "accompanied by any non-competing athletes, team members, team managers or other pacemakers".
- Different laps: elite athletes may not run with, or take pace from, an athlete on another lap.
- Bib number: always worn in age-group events.
- Banned kit: headphones or headsets in or over the ears and glass containers. Also crutches, poles or any device that helps by pushing or pulling with the arms.
- Contact: accidental contact followed by moving away is not penalised. Continuing to impede is a time penalty, and deliberate targeting a disqualification.
- The finish: "the moment any part of the torso crosses a vertical line extending from the leading edge of the finish line".
- Alone in the chute: athletes cannot be accompanied by any non-competing person in the finish chute.
- Removed for safety: an athlete who appears to be a danger to themselves or others may be taken out of the race.
The glossary has the run rules entry, the finish chute, the race belt, the time penalty, the disqualification and the technical official.
Tricky cases
An exhausted athlete collapses and crawls the last few metres. Does the finish count?
Crawling is not permitted. Officials or medical staff may also remove an athlete who appears to be a danger to themselves.
An age-group athlete runs down the finish chute holding their child's hand. Is that allowed?
No. Athletes cannot be accompanied by any non-competing person in the finish chute.
A friend on a bicycle rides alongside calling out split times. Is that a breach?
Yes. Athletes may not be accompanied by pacemakers on or alongside the course.
Can an athlete run with their tri suit unzipped to the waist in the heat?
Running with a bare torso is not permitted. How far a zip may be open is in the uniform rules, which were not read.
Why the rule exists
The run comes when athletes are most exhausted, and several of these rules are for that moment. No crawling and removal for safety protect athletes from themselves. No pacers and no one in the chute keep the finish to those who raced. Judging the torso stops a result turning on a lunge of the arm.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age-group | Bib number always worn | WT 6.1 a (ii) |
| Elite and para | No pacing off athletes on another lap | WT 6.1 a (viii) |
| Infringement in the second half of the run | Penalty served on the spot | WT 3.5 e (vi) |
| Para triathlon | Its own rules on aids and guides | WT 17, not in this set |
From the rule book
World Triathlon, Competition Rules (2026 edition, amended 29 April 2026), sections 3.5 and 6. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Triathlon Competition Rules (PDF).