Rules and regulations Aquathlon

  • General
    • Competitors, clubs, and all companions must follow all instructions of the officials.
    • It is the responsibility of competitors/clubs/parents/adult companions to be prepared for the event and to ensure that they have appropriate sports equipment and clothing.
    • Aquathlon events are individual. Any teamwork that gives an advantage over other competitors is prohibited.
    • The medical staff has the absolute authority to remove a competitor from the race who they deem physically unable to continue.
  • Clubs / Parents / guardians / accompanying adults
    • Clubs / Parents/guardians/adult companions must follow all instructions from officials.
    • Parents/Guardians/Accompanying Adults must behave in an appropriate manner and not disparage the sports event, competitors, and organizers.
    • Violation of the following will result in disqualification of the competitor:
      • bad or offensive language
      • treating officials with disrespect
      • disobedience of judges
      • external assistance
      • manipulation of the equipment
    • Clubs/Parents/Guardians/Adult Companions may not hand over water bottles or any other items to competitors during the event.
  • Swimming
    • Competitors must swim and pay attention to other competitors at all times. Physical contact, other than accidental, will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and will result in disqualification.
    • Diving is not allowed.
    • No competitor will be allowed to continue the race if the race officials deem it unfit to do so.
  • Electronic bracelet for measuring time
    • Competitors will receive an electronic bracelet that is placed around their ankle and must be returned after the race. A lost electronic bracelet means no time and no ranking. The compensation for the lost electronic bracelet is MKD 1,500. In addition to the bracelet, 1 hour before the start, all participants will be marked (with a marker) on their legs and/or arms.
  • Finishing the swim
    • To complete the race, each competitor must complete the marked course as directed by the race officials.
  • Running
    • No form of movement other than running or walking is allowed.
    • Individual help, whether walking or cycling is not permitted except where provided by the organizer.
    • All competitors must wear triathlon suits or swimwear, appropriate footwear, and a running T-shirt.
    • Competitors must follow instructions from all the members of the event organization.
  • Transition area
    • In order to avoid accidents, protect equipment and protect personal possessions, competitors may not bring helpers, friends, or family members into any transition area when the race is in progress.
    • No assistance other than that provided by the organizers is permitted.
    • Competitors’ equipment must be placed in a basket with a marked start number in the change zone.
    • Competitors may not interfere with another competitor’s equipment in the transition area.
    • The clothes must be placed in the basket, leaving nothing outside. Any object that is accidentally or intentionally outside the marked basket is penalized with 10 seconds of time in the Penalty Box.
  • Race referees
    • The referees, with the race organizer, will have full jurisdiction over the event. If necessary, and with the advice of security/safety experts, the referee will have the power to cancel or shorten an event for security/safety reasons.
  • Penalties
    • Competitors may only be penalized by the race referees.
    • Penalties or disqualifications may be imposed at any time until the final results are announced.
    • The following penalties will be imposed for violations.
      • Disqualification:
        • Offensive language
        • Diving
        • Disrespecting the referees
        • Nudity
        • External assistance (except that provided by the organizer)
        • Unsportsmanlike conduct
      • Formal warning – If the fault is not removed after a warning, the ultimate sanction is Disqualification:
        • Illegal equipment (swimming or running)
        • Illegal progress (while swimming or running)
        • Topless
      • The time penalty is 10 seconds. Time penalties will be issued (which cannot be corrected after a formal warning) in the Penalty box section of the run. If a competitor sees their starting number on the board, they have to stop for the duration of the penalty (10 seconds). If they do not respect the 10-second penalty, they will be disqualified.
      • Course irregularities result in disqualification unless the competitor returns to the point at which she left the course, or a point on the course before her, and then completes the course.
  • Complaints
    • Complaints can be filed against fellow competitors, other parties involved, and the race organization.
    • An appeal is a request to review a decision made by a referee.
    • Appeals cannot be made against “judgment calls” by officials. Referee decisions include but are not limited to unsportsmanlike conduct.
    • Appeals must be made in writing within one hour of notification of the penalty.
    • The race jury consists of the race referee, the race organizer, and another responsible member of the organization appointed by the referee.