Rules

1. Swim:
1.1 Wetsuits: are allowed based on water temperature measured the day prior to the event and confirmed the day of the event. All Athletes: Wetsuits are mandatory below 75 degrees F
1.2 Swim Caps: Swim caps are required to be worn by all athletes during the swim. Penalty: disqualification.
1.3 Buoys: Any athlete confirmed cutting a buoy will be assessed a 2 minute penalty
1.4 General Swim: No fins, swimming aids, snorkels, etc. are allowed.

2. Bike:
2.1 Equipment: Any style bike is legal for competition.
2.2 Helmets: ANSI Certified helmets must be worn, with buckles securely fastened, at all times while the bicycle is in motion.
Warning: Five (5) minute penalty.
Refusal to wear helmet: Disqualification.
2.3 Personal Audio/Music Devices: No type of sound/music device is allowed during competition. Examples: No headsets, tape players, CD players, MP3 players or 2-way radios may be worn.
2.4 Transition etiquette: Riding in Transition at any time is prohibited.
2.5 One Bike: Racers shall complete the entire event on the same bicycle upon which the event was begun. Athletes must return to the Bike/Run transition with a complete bicycle to be allowed to continue. No bicycle parts may be left on the course.
2.6 Cutting the course: Short-cutting and/or cutting the course is not permitted and may result in disqualification. It is the rider's responsibility to know the designated racecourse. Lack of tape or barrier on the course will not be constituted as an excuse for cutting course.
2.7 Drafting: Drafting is not allowed. USAT drafting rules will be enforced.
2.8 Bike Numbers: Bike numbers must be mounted on the bike. Cutting of numbers or altering with sponsor stickers is not allowed. There will be a warning for not having your number on your bike, second infraction will be a five (5) minute penalty. A five (5) minute penalty will be assessed for losing your bike number

3. Run:
3.1. Numbers: Numbers must be worn on the front of the body. Cutting numbers or altering with sponsor stickers is not allowed. There will be a warning for not having your number on the front of your body, second infraction will be a five (5) minute penalty. A five (5) minute penalty will be assessed for losing your run number.
3.2 Personal Audio/Music Devises: No type of sound/music device is allowed during competition. Examples: no headsets, tape players, CD players, MP3 players or 2-way radios may be worn.
3.3 Cutting the course: Short-cutting and/or cutting trail switchbacks or course is not permitted and may result in disqualification. A runner is required to stay on the designated trail that is marked and or specified as the racecourse. It is the runner's responsibility to know the designated racecourse. Lack of tape or barrier on the course will not be constituted as an excuse for cutting course.

4. Event General Rules:
4.1 Ignorance of the rules is not admitted as an excuse.
4.2 It is the racer's responsibility to maintain adequate hydration. Organizer will provide hydration stations on the bike and run.
4.3 Cutting the course: Short-cutting and/or cutting trail switchbacks or course is not permitted and may result in disqualification. A rider/runner is required to stay on the designated trail that is marked and or specified as the racecourse. It is the rider's/runner's responsibility to know the designated racecourse. Lack of tape or barrier on the course will not be constituted as an excuse for cutting course.
4.4 Trail Etiquette: Down hill runners will yield the trail to up hill runners.
4.5 Outside assistance: Limited outside assistance is allowed from another athlete competing in the same event. No outside assistance is allowed from any person not competing in the same event. These include but are not limited to spectators, friends, family, volunteers, support crew, photographers, police or marshals. Assistance is limited to tools, tubes or any item that would be used to repair a faulty part or damaged bicycle or water, food, or first aid. Changing bikes is not allowed. Example: a competing athlete is allowed to give another athlete a chain tool or link or a complete chain. A competing athlete can give another athlete a tire patch, tube or complete wheel. But an athlete cannot exchange bikes with another competitor so that the competitor with the broken bike can simply continue without fixing the break.
4.6 Medical Staff: Medical Staff will have the authority to pull any competitor from the course at their discretion.
4.7 Conduct: Foul riding or running, unsportsmanlike behavior or the use of profane or abusive language is grounds for warning, relegation, disqualification or fine.
4.8 Protests: Protests of any nature must be submitted within one hour of the finish time of the person lodging the protest. Protests must be submitted in writing and signed by the accuser. Saying somebody cut the course is not good enough - it must be written and described as accurately as possible. All protests will be investigated. Because of the nature of this race, it is not always possible to see infractions. In every case there will need to be verification of the infraction. Officials will not be drawn into a "hear-say" argument.
4.9 Penalties: Penalties will be determined by the severity of the infraction. The minimum penalty will always be five (5) minutes. The maximum penalty will be disqualification from the results of the event. 4.10. Cut-Off Times: All athletes, team and individual, must start up Great Northern Mountain no later than 3 PM or be pulled from the course.