Kay Serrar wrote:
Exactly. No breach of Ironman rules, but could be construed as a breach of USAT rules. In my experience USAT officials tend to be more anal about these things, so it wouldn't surprise me to see someone get a penalty (though unlikely a DQ) for taking equipment from a spectator. For instance, at a small local race I know an instance of an athlete getting a 2 min penalty for throwing his bike gloves to a spectator near the start of the run (forgot to remove them in T2).
Actually, it violates the letter of WTC rules too:
2.01 (i) Compete without receiving assistance from other parties (other than from Race Referees, Race Officials, and other athletes in accordance with Section 2.02;
I asked an official at an Ironman 70.3 race after the athlete meeting if it would be counted as outside assistance if I handed off my empty Nathan running bottle to my wife when I passed her on the course and he said that it would - the only thing I was legally allowed to do with it was carry it or throw it in the trash at an aid station.
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Ed O'Malley
www.VeloVetta.com Founder of VeloVetta Cycling Shoes
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