USA Triathlon is the national governing body for the multi-sport disciplines of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USA Triathlon is a member federation of the U. S. Olympic Committee and the International Triathlon Union.

USA Triathlon coordinates and sanctions grass-roots and elite multi-sport events across the country and works to create interest and participation in those programs.

USA Triathlon’s 60,000-strong membership is comprised of athletes of all ages, coaches, officials, parents and fans striving together to strengthen multi-sport.

On the elite level, USA Triathlon is responsible for the selection and training of teams to represent the United States in international competition, including the world championships, Pan Am Games and Olympic Games. It conducts national camps and clinics and provides coaching education programs.

On the developmental level, USA Triathlon fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, which is facilitated by the sanctioning of age-group events and triathlon clubs. National and regional championships are held for triathletes from junior to senior age divisions.

USA Triathlon's mission is to provide excellence in leadership, structure and education for the growth and development of the sport. USA Triathlon's vision is to set the standard of excellence as a world leader in the sport by promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging participation and achievement.

USAT Website: www.usatriathlon.org

USAT Membership Registration

Paper form processing can take up to 3 weeks. We suggest applying online if you have an event before then, and note there is NO LONGER A PROCESSING FEE! All USA Triathlon memberships are non-refundable.

Online Registration

Paper Registration

1. 1. To download the application form, you will need Adobe Acrobat to view the USAT registration form, you can download a free version of the program here.
2. 2. Fill it in completely and print out.
3. 3. Sign the waiver.
4. 4. Mail or fax to USA Triathlon (the address and fax number are located at the top of the form).

USAT Insurance (PLEASE READ!)

What athletes need to know About their insurance coverage. When athletes purchase a USAT annual license or one day permit, a portion of those fees cover the cost to provide them with excess medical insurance. This coverage only extends to their participation in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event. If an athlete is injured while participating in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event the following steps must be followed:

1. Race Director completes an incident report form. The race director is obligated to report the incident to USA Triathlon. No medical claim can be filed with insurance until this report is completed. Email sanction@usatriathlon.org to request a copy.

2. Athletes must file with their primary healthcare provider. Athletes must first file through ALL health insurance companies that may cover their medical expenses (i.e. United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, traveler's insurance, etc.)

3. Athlete completes a medical claim form. For serious incidents or for athletes requesting coverage, provide them with a medical claim form. Email sanction@usatriathlon.org for a copy of the form.

4. Athletes will pay a deductible. All athletes using USA Triathlon insurance will pay anywhere from $250 (two-hundred and fifty U.S. dollars) to $1,000 (one thousand U.S. dollars) out of pocket and possibly more for uncovered expenses.

5. Coverage limitations. Be advised that coverage may not apply to each and every claim. Additionally, coverage only extends to participants that have purchased an USA Triathlon annual license or one day permit and were injured through participation in an USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Please email questions to sanction@usatriathlon.org or call the group benefits department at ESIX at 1-800-342-4371

USA Triathlon Rules and Regulations

The Powell3 Triathlon Challenge is a USA Triathlon (USAT) sanctioned event. All USAT rules apply. USAT officials will be present to enforce these rules and assess penalties if warranted. Visit www.usatriathlon.org to read the USAT rulebook.

Some of the most common infractions include:
- Glass in the transition area
- Bicycles racked on the wrong rack
- Missing handlebar end plugs (Disqualificcation - safety)
- Assistance along the course (e.g. help with wetsuit removal)
- Missing or unbuckled hard shell helmets
- Drafting, blocking and position foul on the bicycle
- Bicycle helmets are mandatory! No particcipation without a helmet, period.
- Chin straps must be fastened BEFORE you leave the transition area and MUST NOT be unfastened prior to entering the transition area following the bike leg. Violation of either rule will result in at least a TWO minute time penalty.
- Dismount the bike before entering the trransition area. There is NO riding of bicycles inside the transition area. At least a TWO minute time penalty will result.
- There is NO DRAFTING on the bike course.. This means that you MUST be at least 2 bike lengths behind the rider in front of you. Riding two abreast (side-by-side) is NOT allowed. There will be bike marshals on the course. Violation of the drafting rule will result in a penalty.
- MP3/IPODs: Use of an MP3 player on the bike will result in a DQ! Use on the run will results in a time penalty!

*** This is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event. All USAT rules will be enforced by USAT officials! It is your responsibility to know the rules! You can find the rulebook at www.usatriathlon.org

Most Commonly Violated USAT Rules & Penalties

For safety reasons, this race has been sanctioned by USA Triathlon. USAT rules must be followed while participating in this race. Race officials will be on hand to enforce the rules.

USAT has put together a list of the most commonly violated rules:

1. Helmets:

No modifications may be made to the helmet. Helmets must be worn as they were purchased. If the helmet came with a cloth cover, the cover must be on the helmet when competing. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event.

Penalty: Disqualification

2. Chin Straps:

Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle.

Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.

3. Outside Assistance:

No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and duathlons are individual tests of fitness.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

4. Transition Area:

All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant's equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

5. Drafting:

Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.

Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.

Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass.

Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

6. Course:

All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.

Penalty: Referee's discretion

7. Unsportsmanlike-Like Conduct:

Foul, harsh, argumentative or abusive language or other unsportsmanlike conduct directed at race officials, USA Triathlon officials, volunteers, spectators or fellow athletes is forbidden.

Penalty: Disqualification

8. Headphones:

Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

9. Race numbers:

All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run and bike. Numbers must face the front and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing.

Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing or altered number, Disqualification and one year suspension from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission.

10. Wetsuits:

Wetsuits will not be allowed for pool triathlons.

11. Abandonment:

All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

Variable Time Penalties

Distance Category
1st Offense
2nd Offense
3rd Offense

Short or Sprint
2:00 minute
4:00 minutes
Disqualification

Intermediate
2:00 minutes
4:00 minutes
Disqualification

Long
4:00 minutes
8:00 minutes
Disqualification

Ultra
6:00 minutes
12:00 minutes
Disqualification

For a complete list of rules, please refer to the current USA Triathlon Competitive Rules at: www.usatriathlon.org .

A Message from the USAT Head Referee

"Most triathletes come to races with only a rudimentary understanding of the rules of the sport. Indeed, few have ever read through the Competitive Rules in its entirety. In order to minimize misunderstandings on race day, I hope you will take the time to read the following summary of Position Violations, which you probably know as the drafting rules.

I have reduced the Position Rules to the following concepts, which everyone can remember:
- Ride on the right side of your lane.
- Keep three bike lengths between yourselff and the cyclist in front of you.
- Pass on the left of the cyclist in frontt, never on the right.
- Complete your pass within 15 seconds.
- If passed, you must drop completely out of the zone, to the rear, before attempting to re-pass.

Remember you are racing in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and there are trained referees on the course to ensure fairness in the competition. There will be NO WARNINGS if you commit a foul during competition. Triathlon is an individual event and you must take personal responsibility to understand the rules and avoid penalties. At the end of the race all citations by the marshals are reviewed by the Head Referee who then decides if a penalty should be assessed. The Head Referee’s ruling is final in the case of Position Violations and there are no protests or appeals of Position penalties. Marshals commonly cite the following violations:

- Illegal Position or Blocking – riding onn the left side of the lane without passing.
- Illegal Pass – passing on the right, or failing to drop back three bike lengths before re-passing.
- Overtaken - failing to drop back three bbike lengths after being passed and before re-passing.
- Drafting – following a leading cyclist ccloser than three bike lengths and failing to pass or exit the draft zone within 15 seconds.

Though Position Violations carry a time penalty for each occurrence, if you are cited for three violations, you will be disqualified.

Always have your chinstrap securely fastened! The chin strap rule is the easiest to follow, but some folks always seem to forget – that’s a DQ!

Remember to treat other athletes, volunteers, and officials with courtesy and consideration. Failure to do so is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct and you will be disqualified.

There is no riding your bike allowed in the transition area. Please dismount when instructed to do so by race volunteers."