General Rules - Swim Rules - Bike Rules - Run Rules

Swim - Course Length – 2.4 miles
Swim Cutoff - 2 hours 20 minutes after start of race

1. Each swimmer must wear an IRONMAN UK swim cap as provided by the race. The provided cap must be worn on the outside of the head. Wearing swim goggles or a face mask is recommended, but not required.
2. No fins, paddles, snorkels or flotation devices of any kind are allowed.
3. Please be sure your timing chip is properly fixed on your ankle. No individual paddlers or escorts allowed. Course will be adequately patrolled by lifeguard canoes and qualified water safety craft.
4. Swimmers will be required to have race officials mark their race numbers on their shoulders, front thigh and rear calf. PLEASE DO NOT APPLY SUNSCREEN OR VASELINE TO AREAS BEARING YOUR RACE NUMBER. Time penalties will be imposed on athletes not behind the official start line 5 minutes prior to the race start.
5. Swimmers are required to stay on course, swim anti-clockwise and keep course markers to the left. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
6. A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance should roll onto their back and raise an arm overhead and call or seek assistance. A swimmer, who has received assistance, whether voluntary or involuntary, must retire and withdraw from the remainder of the race, unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress. No swimmer shall return to the race if the official rendering assistance requests that the athlete withdraws from the race or receive medical assistance.
7. The official’s decision will be final.
8. The swim course will be CLOSED 2 hours and 20 minutes after the start of the race. Athletes still in the water after this time will be disqualified and will not be permitted to continue in the event.
9. After the swim, athletes must pick up their bike gear bag. This is a security measure designed to maintain an accurate count of swimmers in and out of the water.
10. After the swim, athletes must dress for the bike portion of the race in designated changing tents only. No dressing will be allowed in the bike transition area as it impedes traffic of fellow athletes through the bike lanes. Public nudity is prohibited.
11. Wetsuits are compulsory for the swim section.
12. The swim will be a mass start swim.