The Rules for the event

The rules and regulations for all portions of the course are listed in the following pages. You will note that there are rules and regulations listed for each portion of the course as well as for the entire course. All athletes are required to follow all rules and regulations. Any questions, please contact the Course Director.

Rules and Regulations: All Segments

  1. Contestants are expected to heed directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities
  2. Course marshals shall have authority to disqualify contestant
  3. Medical personnel shall have ultimate and final authority to remove a contestant from the race if the contestant is judged to be physically incapable of continuing the race without risk of serious injury or death
  4. No contestant may use alcohol or any illegal, detrimental or dangerous drugs, stimulants, depressants or other substances or procedures with the intent to improve performance, eliminate the sense of fatigue or for any other purpose. Violation of this rule is grounds for immediate disqualifications, and will result in a one-year suspension for a first offense
  5. Fraud, theft, abusive treatment of volunteers or others and acts of poor sportsmanship are grounds for immediate disqualifications and will result in contestant being suspended from competing in any Nanticoke River Swim and Triathlon event in the future.
  6. If contestant decides to withdraw from the race at any time, it is the responsibility of the contestant to report to the times at the finish lines of the swim course at the beach in the Cedar Hill Marina, the bike course at the Transition area in the Cedar Hill Marina, or the run course at the Transition area in the Cedar Hill Marina. It is essential that race officials know where contestants are on the course at all times. Failure to comply after withdrawing from the race may result in contestant being prevented from competing in any NRST event in the future.
  7. The NRST reserves the right to make rule changes at any time provided all athletes are notified in writing or email and/or at the pre-race mandatory meetings.
  8. For additional information regarding safety procedures and general information regarding the race, please go to our website at Nanticokeriverswimandtri.com
  9. As a USA Triathlon sanctioned race, the NRST will subscribe to all USA Triatlhon rules, including the disbursement of prizes. Specifically, professional triathletes may not win age group awards.
  10. Participating athletes must hold a USA Triathlon membership. One day membership must be applied for as a condition of acceptance into the NRST via the entry form online. If you are applying as a professional athlete, you must include proof of pro status with your application
  11. NRST does not allow the transfer of an athlete’s registration – no exceptions wil be made to this rule. Any attempt to transfer registration will result in disqualification.

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Rules and Regulations: General Information

  1. Outside aid and/or individual escorts are grounds for disqualification. Any escorts needed, such as in the swim section, shall be provided by the event and may not be an associate of the contestant.
  2. Private communication systems on the race course will not be allowed.
  3. Individual media coverage during the race will not be permitted unless approved in advance by race officials
  4. Contestant is required to conduct himself/herself in the same spirit of cooperation, good sportsmanship and non-interference with other contestants and race officials as is expected of all contestants in a swim/triathlon event. And, to the same extent as other contestants, departures from or violations of this spirit are grounds for disqualification and removal from the event.
  5. Contestant must clearly understand that he/she is solely responsible for his/her activities, and the risks they engender, during his/her stay in the event region and, in particular, during any pre-race training activities he/she undertakes in preparation for the event.
  6. All contestants must attend a pre-race meeting. Failure to attend a scheduled meeting may result in forfeiture of a start spot.
  7. The race committee and the NRST reserves the right to modify the above rules as necessary, as long as such changes are communicated to the contestants in writing or at pre-race meetings.
  8. Any decision concerning any rule interpretation or enforcement by the race committees or NRST shall be final.

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Rules and Regulations: Swim Safety Plan



Course Length – 3.0 Miles

  1. Each Swimmer must wear the colored swim cap provided by the Director.
  2. Wearing swim goggles or a face mask is recommended, but optional
  3. No fins, paddles, snorkels or flotation devices of any kind allowed
  4. Traditional wetsuits are not required but are highly recommended.
  5. Shoulders must be completely uncovered for numbering
  6. Timing Chips must be properly fixed on your ankle
  7. No individual paddlers or escorts allowed. Course will be adequately patrolled by surfboards, kayaks and patrol boats
  8. Swimmers will be required to have raced officials mark race number on shoulders. Please do not apply sunscreen or Vaseline to areas bearing your race number prior to numbering. Numbers must remain on during the swim
  9. Time penalties may be imposed on athletes not behind the official start line 5 minutes prior to race start.
  10. Swimmers are required to stay on course, swim counterclockwise and keep course markers on their left. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. A line of boats will flank the river side of the swim route.
  11. Any assistance required during the swim will result in disqualification.
  12. Swim course will be closed 2 hours prior to the start of the race. Contestants still in the water after this time will be disqualified and will not be permitted to continue in the event under any circumstances.
  13. After the swim, all contestants must remove their number from under their swim cap and give to race officials. Contestants that are swimmers only will remove the chip timer off their angle and give to the officials. This is a security measure designed to maintain an accurate count of swimmers in an out of the water above and beyond the electronic chip counting system.
  14. After the swim, contestants must dress for the bike portion of the race in the designated changing tents only. No dressing will be allowed in the bike holding area as it impedes traffic through the bike lanes. Public nudity is prohibited.

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Rules and Regulations: Bike Course

  1. Bike Registration is Mandatory and will be completed during the athlete registration process. All bikes will be racked on Sunday, May 4, at Cedar Hill Marina
  2. All contestants are required to ride road/racing bikes. Mountain bikes, beach cruisers and bikes with coaster-type brakes are prohibited
  3. No tandems, recumbents, fairings, solid wheels, wheel covers or any add-on device designed exclusively to reduce resistance are allowed. Any new, “”unusual”, or prototype equipment will be subject to a determination of legality by the Bike Director and/or USA Triathlon
  4. All bikes will be checked in on Sunday on the date of the race. Race officials reserve the right to reject any bike not meeting safety standards. If bike does not meet safety standards, contestant will be required to correct problem before participating in race. Once bike is checked into holding area, only small covers on the seat and/or computer will be allowed. Large plastic bags which cover the entire bike will be permitted.
  5. Absolutely no drafting of another bike or any other vehicle is allowed. Contestants must ride single file on the far right side of the road except when passing another rider. Side-by-side riding is not allowed. Overtaking riders may move to the left for up to 15 seconds, but must move back into the right lane after passing or if the challenge fails. Riders must keep a 10 meter distance between bikes except when passing. An overtaken rider must fall back 10 meters before attempting to regain the lead from a front running bike. Marshals may/will issue a stop-and-go on the course, in addition to a 3-minute time penalty for drafting and blocking violations. Time penalties will be served in a penalty box at the bike/run transition. More on this rule to follow. Two position violations will result in disqualification.
  6. Shoes must be in the bike gear bag or secured to bike pedals. Shoes may not be beside the bike. Shoes and shirt must be worn at all times on the bike.
  7. Each contestant must wear the NRST issued race number at all times while on the course. Bike number must be placed low on back of rider’s jersey where it is clearly visible. Folding or cutting race number of intentional alteration of any kind is strictly prohibited. Race belts may be worn.
  8. ANSI or SNELL or CPSC approved helmet is required during the entire bike race including in and out transition area. Any contestant riding without an approved helmet or chin strap not fastened will be disqualified. Any alterations to hardshell helmets which affect its intergrity are not allowed.
  9. No individual support allowed. Ample aid and food stations will be provided. Friends, family members, coaches or supporters of any type may not bike, drive or run alongside contestant, may not pass food or other items to contestant and should be warned to stay completely clear of all contestants to avoid disqualification. It is incumbent upon each contestant to reject immediately any attempt to assist, follow or escort.
  10. Ample Food will be provided at the transition and rest areas
  11. Each contestant must be individually responsible for repair and maintenance of their own bike. Assistance by anyone, including other athletes, other than NRST technical support officials will be grounds for disqualification. Each cyclist should be prepared to handle any possible mechanical malfunction. Technical support does not include the normal changing of flat tires.
  12. Contestants are expected to heed directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities.

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Rules and Regulations: Run Course

  1. No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed
  2. Runners must wear number at all times on the course. Race numbers issued by the NRST identify the official contestants in the race. Folding or cutting race number or intentional alteration of any kind is strictly prohibited. Run number must be placed on front of runner securely attached. Race belts may be worn. Shoes and shirts are required on the run segment at all times.
  3. This is an individual event. No individual support vehicles or not-contestant escort runners are allowed. Teamwork as a resut of outside assistance that provides an advantage over single competitors is not allowed. Ample aid and food stations will be provided. Individual support vehicles or non-contestant escort runners will result in disqualification. A non-contestant escort runner includes contestants 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 contestant, may not pass food or other items to contestant and should be warned to stay completely clear of all contestants to avoid disqualification. It is incumbent upon each contestant to reject immediately any attempt to assist, follow or escort.
  4. Ample food and beverage will be provided at transition and rest areas
  5. Follow the directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities.

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