I just saw a familiar name in IM California: Adriana Carreño. She’s a Mexican Elite Triathlete who competed as an elite as recently as July, where she finished 2nd (San Gil Triathlon). I don’t know why she’s racing with an American flag this year, it was probably an oversight when registering.
But I didn’t think Ironman would allow elites in AG-only races. I do however remember Andre Lopes doing IMAZ 70.3 last year, but he wasn’t part of the results.
So, what’s the agreement here?
From Ironman rules (specifically, copy pasted from the IM WC athlete guide, sorry for the formatting)
Any athlete that competes as a Pro-
fessional/Elite athlete anywhere in the
world within the calendar year cannot
compete as an Amateur/Age Group
athlete in a USAT-sanctioned event
in that same calendar year. Failure to
disclose correct status (as defined in
IRONMAN Competition Rule 2.04(e))
shall be cause for disqualifying the
athlete from the event and may result
in a one-year suspension from USAT-
sanctioned events.
Once an athlete competes as a
Professional/Elite in the IRONMAN®
qualifying race series season, the
athlete cannot compete as an Age Group
athlete in that year’s IRONMAN® World
Championship and/or IRONMAN® 70.3®
World Championship as an Amateur.
The de facto rule is to email the RD. I’ve raced with a pro license at AG events to help promote local races, but never at IM events. I have seen some IM events that are non-pro have “Pro” racks set up for one athlete. I’m sure it’s the RD allowing it.
Maybe they just don’t know about it?
I know people have been disqualified post race for having infringed the elite racing as amateur rule.
I believe there is a policy exception, but they are definitely ineligible for awards. Years ago Heather Jackson got an exception to race Puerto Rico when it was amateur only.
You can do it for AG only events. You need IM’s approval but you are not eligible for awards or championship slots.
I wonder if she disclosed it. We’ll see.
This looks like a set of restrictions applying globally (e.g., to Haug’s race in 70.3 Nice this year), which you would consider on top of local restrictions. And @marcovappiani pasted a section pertaining to USAT sanctioned events organized by Ironman which clearly says “no, period.” And Ironman California is USAT sanctioned.
I have a female friend here, who has a Pro licence from our local fedaration and has raced pro/elite early in 2024. She later raced an Ironman 70.3 Race as an AG, got 3rd and qualified for 70.3 WC in Marbella. The IM organization got word on this and withdrew her WC qualification (which is obviously fair IM)
Annie Haug did it this year in Nice but didn’t claim 1st place in her AG.
I believe IM does residence not nationality but it might have changed or she might be dual?
Carreno Cruz is listed on the tracker app as finishing in the ‘ODiv’ in 9:25 but is not showing in the Results on the event website in any of the categories. There was no Pro category in Sacramento.
Just to tuck away this ‘whatabout’ Haug gained permission to enter the 70.3 Nice which did not have a ‘pro’ category.
From the link @stevej shared:
"Professional Athletes choosing to enter events that are age group only events – those not identified as IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 Professional Qualifying Events – should note the following:
"1. Professional athletes must submit their registration requests with the event name to IRONMAN Pro Membership at proregistration@ironman.com. Approved entries will be directed to enter the event online at the current general entry price.
"8. Pro athletes are not eligible for age group awards or World Championship qualifying slots and will not be recognized as the winner of the overall age group race or their age group.
“9. Pro athlete results will not be included in the overall age group results or individual age group results.”
I know of at least one athlete in her division that protested.
She was listed yesterday in the F25-29
Yup, I guess the organisers have ‘taken action’. Whether this was a cock-up on their part (she having sought and gained permission) or on hers, it looks as if its resolved. I hope that any slots for IMWC 2025 F25-29 are sorted accordingly and super annoying for Camila and Vickie (F25-29 winner and #2)
Based on her social media and past history (she’s done this before) I would say it’s her that didn’t disclose it. But I too am glad it’s resolved and the slots go to the deserving athletes.
