IRONMAN has released its updated 2025 Global Competition Rules for the IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series. The main updates made for 2025 align with World Triathlon and relate to time penalties for Blue Card Violations (including Drafting) and equipment specifications, such as regulations on Water Bottles and Hydration Systems. The updated rules will be in effect beginning on March 17, 2025.
Card Violations
All Blue Card violations for IRONMAN events will now result in a 3:00 minute time penalty, and all Blue Card Violations for IRONMAN 70.3 events will now result in a 2:00 minute time penalty. This is a reduction from a 5:00-minute time penalty from previous years. There is no time penalty changes for Yellow Card violations, which will remain at :30 seconds and :60 seconds for IRONMAN 70.3 events and IRONMAN events, respectively.
Equipment Specifications
There are new maximum volume capacity restrictions in place for front-mounted and rear-mounted water bottles and hydration systems. Water bottles and hydration systems on the front end of the bicycle are now limited to a total combined maximum volume capacity of 2 Litres (this excludes water bottles and hydration systems located inside the frame triangle of a bike or inside the bike frame). For the rear portion of the bicycle, athletes are allowed to carry up to two (2) water bottles in water bottle holders mounted behind the saddle provided the total capacity per bottle does not exceed one (1) Litre. This limit excludes bottles carried in water bottle holders attached inside the main frame of the bicycle, within the frame of the bicycle, or water bottles mounted on the front end of the bicycle.
Other updates regarding equipment specifications include regulations regarding the length of aerobar extensions and use of neoprene swim caps. Previously, there were no restrictions on the length of an athlete’s aerobars or aerobar extensions. Starting this year, and in line with specifications in World Triathlon rules, aerobar extensions cannot extend beyond the leading edge of the front wheel of an athlete’s bicycle. Additionally, neoprene swim caps are allowed when wetsuits are permitted during the swim course. Previously there were no restrictions on the use of neoprene swim caps in the Competition Rules.
All athletes are encouraged to check out the 2025 IRONMAN Global Competition Rules well in advance of their upcoming events to view these updates as well as other updates to the competition rules for this season.
