I was reading the Athlete Guide and they mention that on the run course, you must wear reflective tape. IMFL, to my knowledge, didn’t have that rule. Is this something that’s strictly enforced? How/where do I get some and how do you wear it?
This is simply a way to help make sure that you are visible at night. I think I bought mine last year in the expo. It’s no big deal, and I don’t think they check too hard, but you never know…
It’s not enforced, don’t bother.
You can buy the tape at the race expo if you really want to…
this is in effect for all north american ironman races, but is not strictly enforced, but is a good safety measure if you may be out running in the dark. especially canada, where there are very few lights on the run course, once it gets dark, its tough to be seen. you can usually get reflective tape at the expo, and you put it on your clothing like a sticker.
they always give out glow sticks as well.
hope this helps and good luck
You can also stop by and see us if you need reflective tape. Will be setup with all our tri gear on end of season sale at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. You can check out our website later this week for details.
Tri Geeks Multisport
www.trigeeks.ca
Make sure you get tape with dimples though.
Go get some from Home Depot. They will gouge you at the Expo.
Or Wal-Mart in the automotive department.
Or finish while it’s still light out.
someone had to say it 
(by the way, I have never finished in daylight.)
Or finish while it’s still light out.
someone had to say it
(by the way, I have never finished in daylight.)
Ha, ha. Okay, didn’t think of that. I’ll just swim, bike and run a little faster and save myself a few $$ on reflective tape! Damn, what an epiphany!
The great thing is that the sun sets there at about 8:00, so you have, essentially, 13 hours (plus a little) before it gets dark. In Brazil it was dark much earlier.
Really? I might have a shot! I’m estimating a 12:45 finish time.
No problem!
Grab a free race belt at the expo that has reflective stuff on it.
Check out the sun and normals on the weather network. It’s been a pretty consistent 12:53 (7:53pm) race time sunset for the last few years. If you’re coming in just under 13 hours, you shouldn’t have a problem with running in the dark.
Wherever you get your tape from, stick it low on your body or rip it off before the end. The flash from the finish-line photo will reflect off the tape and mess up the shot. This goes for those luminescent glow necklaces they give you too.
Don’t waste your money at the expo to by expensive reflective stuff just go to walmart or an auto store buy some scotch reflective tape… One roll (what less than 2 bucks) you can cut it up in little pieces will last for 10 or more ironman races in the future.
Plus if your artistic you can cut it in m-dots ot shapes you want…Lot’s lot’s cheaper and you always have it.
I remember one year in hawaii when you checked your gear in they checked your run gear and one of the sponsers (reebok) provided small stickon reflective tape of course with their logo’s on it.
Sometimes they put reflective stickers in your packet.
Ah yes… sunset. But as you know… the farther north you get, the longer the twilight (sun is down, but still light). I think there is a solid 30mins of twilight…
My very first IMC I finished in 13:08… still light enough to see well. Oh how my fitness has changed since then…
Spend the 6 bucks or whatever for the official ironman reflective tape circles at the expo. It should ensure that you do not need it. Went through this last month in LP. Figured that if I did not buy it, Murphy’s Law would rear its ugly head and I would be running in the dark. Best six bucks I spent that week. Good luck.
Wherever you get your tape from, stick it low on your body or rip it off before the end. The flash from the finish-line photo will reflect off the tape and mess up the shot. This goes for those luminescent glow necklaces they give you too.
Good tip Skavoovie!