PT // LMS - Rule Book
SECTION 1: FORMAT & EVENT PHILOSOPHY
1.1 Format Overview:
Project Triathlon: LMS is an hourly endurance elimination race. Every hour, on the hour, participants must start and complete a standard short-course triathlon:
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Swim: 100 Meters
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Bike: 5.0 Miles
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Run: 1.25 Miles
1.2 The Elimination Standard:
To remain active in the competition, an athlete must cross the finish line of the current round in under 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Any athlete who fails to cross the line before the start of the next hour is immediately eliminated (DNF).
1.3 Winner Determination:
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The race continues hour after hour until only one athlete remains.
- If the race reaches 35 hours, the final hour/lap will be a competition to see who finishes first
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To be declared the Official Champion, the final remaining athlete must successfully complete one full loop within the 60-minute cutoff after all other competitors have dropped out or been eliminated.
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If no athlete successfully completes a solo loop, the race ends with No Winner.
SECTION 2: SCHEDULE & TIMING
2.1 The Hourly Clock:
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Rounds begin precisely at :00 on the clock (e.g., 07:00, 08:00, 9:00).
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A 3-minute warning chime will sound at :57 past the hour.
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A 1-minute warning chime will sound at :59 past the hour.
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The official start horn will sound at :00.
2.2 Start Corrals & Attendance:
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All active participants must be standing inside the designated Start Corral prior to the sounding of the start horn.
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Any athlete not inside the corral at the moment the horn sounds is disqualified, regardless of whether they were ready or present on site.
2.3 Rest & Transition Time:
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Whatever time remains between crossing the finish line and the top of the next hour is the athlete’s rest period.
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Timing is continuous; the clock does not stop for medical assessments, or personal logistics. The clock may only stop due to extreme uncontrollable circumstances at the RD's discretion.
SECTION 3: RACE COURSE RULES & DISCIPLINARY CODE
A. THE SWIM (100 METERS)
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Starting Line: Mass start or rolling continuous start (as designated by the Race Director depending on participation).
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Stroke: Any forward-propulsion stroke is permitted (Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, Sidestroke).
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Drafting: Drafting behind other swimmers is PERMITTED.
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Safety & Flotation: Wetsuit legality will be announced closer to the event. Inflatable safety buoys are allowed if declared prior to the event.
B. THE BIKE (5.0 MILES)
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Helmets: Hard-shell helmets are MANDATORY and must be buckled before un-racking the bike.
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Drafting: DRAFT-LEGAL (Unless specified otherwise in pre-race briefing). Athletes may form pacelines, but unsportsmanlike blocking or intentional swerving will result in immediate disqualification.
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Night Equipment (Hours 19:00 to 07:00):
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Active front white headlight (minimum 200 lumens).
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Active rear red flashing light.
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Reflective ankle bands or vest.
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C. THE RUN (1.25 MILE)
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Course Footwear: Athletic running shoes are mandatory.
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Night Equipment (Hours 19:00 to 07:00): Headlamp or chest lamp required + reflective item
*Pacing by non-participants (crew, spectators, eliminated athletes) on foot or bike is ALLOWED only during night hours. One Pacer allowed and must be declared to staff. Non-participants may cheer from designated spectator areas only.
SECTION 4: PIT LANE & TRANSITION AREA RULES
A. THE TWO-ZONE SYSTEM
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Transition Area (Racks & Mount/Dismount Chutes): An athlete-only zone reserved solely for racking bikes, staging immediate swim-to-bike and bike-to-run equipment, and crossing timing mats.
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Pit Lane: The designated athlete rest, fueling, and crew support zone located adjacent to the transition chute.
B. PIT LANE ALLOCATION & CREW RULES
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Footprint Allocation: Each registered athlete is assigned a marked 10x10 space in the Pit Lane for a personal canopy, chairs, cots, coolers, and gear staging. All equipment must remain strictly within the marked 10x10 boundary.
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Crew Access Limits: The assigned crew space should have minimal crew members to avoid impeding other athletes with clusters of people.
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Permitted Crew Support: Crew assistance (nutrition prep, gear changes, bike mechanical adjustments, and first aid) may occur EXCLUSIVELY inside the athlete's assigned 10x10 space.
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Pacing & Course Restriction: Crew members are strictly forbidden from entering the active race course, handing off items outside the 10x10 space, or entering swim entry/exit areas.
C. TRANSITION AREA ACCESS & ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES
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Strict Athlete-Only Zone: Crew members and spectators are strictly PROHIBITED from entering the Transition Area at any time.
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Bike Handling: Athletes must un-rack, mount, dismount, and re-rack their own bicycles without any outside physical assistance.
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Violation Penalty: Any crew member who steps into the Transition Area or assists an athlete at the bike racks will trigger an immediate disqualification for their athlete.
D. ASSISTANCE & WITHDRAWAL PROTOCOLS
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Shared Athlete Assistance: Active athletes may assist fellow active athletes with nutrition, hydration, tools, spare parts, or mechanical repairs anywhere on the course, in transition, or in the pit lane.
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Withdrawal (DNF) Protocol: An athlete choosing to voluntarily withdraw must immediately report to an official timing station, declare their intent to withdraw, and surrender their timing chip/bib.
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Post-Withdrawal Access: Eliminated or withdrawn athletes and their crew may remain in their assigned 10x10 space to spectate and support remaining racers, provided they do not obstruct active competitors.
SECTION 5: PENALTIES & DISQUALIFICATION
| Violation | Penalty |
| Late to Start Corral (:00 horn) | Immediate Disqualification |
| Unbuckled Helmet on Bike | 1st Warning/Immediate Disqualification |
| Missing Night Lights (Bike/Run) | Immediate Disqualification |
| Cutting Course / Skipping Lap | Immediate Disqualification |
| Unsportsmanlike Conduct | Disqualification at RD Discretion |