Can I Use My Cellphone Throughout an Ironman or 70.3 Triathlon? — Triathlete

If you had been planning on carrying sensible glasses throughout your subsequent Ironman or posting a mid-race replace in your followers, assume once more. Ironman’s 2026 update to its official competition rules features a preemptive smackdown on athletes who use recording gadgets (together with cell telephones, video cameras, GoPros, and sensible glasses) to seize images, video, or different visible content material in the course of the race.

What is the brand new rule on recording throughout an Ironman or 70.3 triathlon?

Communication gadgets like two-way radios have lengthy been banned on track for Ironman and 70.3 races. In 2017, the race sequence up to date its coverage to accommodate the rising use of cell telephones and smartwatches by athletes for knowledge assortment and monitoring, saying the gadgets could be allowed as long as they aren’t used for communication functions. In different phrases, you may carry your cellphone, however not use it in what Ironman known as a “distractive manner,” or “making and receiving phone calls, sending and receiving text messages, playing music, using social media, and taking photographs.”

Fast ahead nearly a decade, and readability has now been added to incorporate “taking video” on its listing of what constitutes utilizing know-how in a “distractive manner,” together with an outright ban on accumulating images or movies throughout a race – no matter how it’s collected. Specifically, the up to date rule states:

“Using any device (e.g., including without limitation, cameras, phone cameras, video cameras, glasses, etc.) to capture photographs, video, or other visual images during the race is prohibited. Athletes using any device in this manner will be disqualified.”

In different phrases, no selfies, no GoPros, no sensible glasses, and undoubtedly no livestreaming your race, whether or not you’re utilizing a smartphone or not. The coverage is meant to take care of the integrity, focus, and security of the aggressive surroundings for all contributors.

What can I exploit my cellphone throughout an Ironman or 70.3?

If your cellphone is a crucial a part of your race-day setup, don’t fret – you may nonetheless carry it for sure capabilities throughout your Ironman or 70.3 race.

Tracking & instructions

GPS monitoring capabilities for navigation are nonetheless permitted throughout an Ironman, supplied the system is secured and never actively manipulated. Sharing your location together with your help crew continues to be permitted, as is utilizing your cellphone for turn-by-turn navigation.

Bike pc capabilities

Though utilizing a cellphone as a motorbike pc was once banned in-race, Ironman has since relaxed its rule, as long as the system is securely mounted to the bike (in different phrases, no holding your cellphone with one hand whereas badly steering with the opposite).

Emergencies

If you’re carrying a cellphone throughout a race and are available throughout an emergency, similar to a crash or an athlete in misery, utilizing your cellphone to name 911 is appropriate, however not whereas in movement. Do not use your cellphone whereas driving or operating; as an alternative, cease to alert emergency suppliers. This shouldn’t be solely in your security and the protection of these round you, but in addition to permit dispatchers to make use of your mobile phone location to find the incident.

What you may’t use your mobile phone for in an Ironman or 70.3

Though a mobile phone could also be good to have for some athletes, it’s usually not a necessary piece of triathlon gear. In some ways, carrying your mobile phone throughout a race could be a distraction and a literal weight in your jersey pocket. We advocate leaving your cellphone behind on race morning, however if you happen to insist on carrying it, know you received’t be capable of use it in lots of the methods you’re accustomed to throughout a typical coaching day. For that purpose, many coaches advocate getting ready in your race by not utilizing your cellphone throughout exercises, to permit your self to adapt to a phone-free expertise. (Screen time can damage your exercises, anyway.)

Texting or calls

The urge to reply to a partner’s anxious “WHERE R U?” textual content once you’re off your predicted tempo may be sturdy, so as an alternative, use a monitoring app like “Find My” on iPhone or “Location Sharing” on Android. Then flip your notifications off at some stage in your race.

Playing music

You may get hyped by your Backstreet Boys/Metallica/EDM playlist, however you’ll should sing it to your self. Marathon and path runners could be shocked to seek out that headphones, earbuds, and different listening gadgets are banned at Ironman and 70.3 races (and the overwhelming majority of triathlons), as are exterior audio system.

Taking images

Even a fast mid-race selfie may technically get you disqualified. Remember: There are loads of skilled photographers on track documenting your race, alongside together with your help crew (who will little question be taking thousands and thousands of images and movies each time they spot you on track).

Taking video

Ironman’s 2026 rule replace expressly prohibits using video recording gadgets on-course. That helmet-mounted GoPro is a no-go, as is carrying sensible glasses or carrying your cellphone to file your self crossing the end line. (We promise, individuals will nonetheless consider you completed. That’s what the medal is for.)

What about different triathlon races?

Ironman isn’t the one triathlon sequence that bans cell telephones. USA Triathlon-sanctioned races allow participants to carry a cell phone, although (like Ironman) prohibit its use in a “distractive manner during the competition,” which it describes as together with however “not limited to making or receiving phone calls, sending or receiving text messages, playing music, using social media, taking photographs or using one- or twoway radio communication.”

Challenge Family, Supertri, and T100 additionally place restrictions on cell telephones and sensible gadgets underneath the umbrella of “distractive” use. All state that if carried, telephones ought to be securely saved in a pocket or on the bike to keep away from hazardous use.