IRONMAN Announces Creation of New and Modified Athlete Divisions and Further Rule Alignment with World Triathlon as Part of Updated 2023 Global Competition Rules

February 6, 2023

- Intellectual Disability (ID) to be added to Physically Challenged (PC) division to create PC/ID Open, an updated participatory division that formalizes inclusivity for athletes with an intellectual disability - New Open division created to further inclusion opportunities for athletes, including those who wish to race outside of a gender or age group - 2023 Global IRONMAN Competition Rules to be in effect starting March 1, 2023

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb 6, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – IRONMAN today announced their updated 2023 global competition rules for IRONMAN^® and IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series including new and modified athlete divisions focused on broadening inclusivity, as well as further rule alignment with World Triathlon. The PC Open/Exhibition division has been expanded to now include athletes with an intellectual disability, creating the Physically Challenged/Intellectual Disability (PC/ID) Open division. Additionally, a brand-new Open division has been created to provide further inclusion opportunities, enabling participation for all able-bodied athletes who wish to race in an event without a gender or age-based peer comparison. Divisions under the 2023 IRONMAN Competition Rules include Age Group, Relay (where offered), Handcycle, Open, and PC/ID Open. The 2023 Competition Rules, including new and updated athlete divisions, will go into effect March 1, 2023, and can be found here.

Expanded to include athletes with an intellectual disability, the newly modified PC/ID Open division is a participatory division which includes PC Open athletes, Special Teams, and ID Open athletes. Athletes in the PC/ID Open division will also be eligible for the PC/ID Open World Championship Drawing for slots to compete in the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

“Inclusion in IRONMAN changed my life because it helped me get my dreams by giving me a big crazy goal,” said Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an IRONMAN. “Now I also have a purpose to help others enjoy this amazing opportunity. A huge thanks to IRONMAN for being first and inspiring all the major running races around the world to follow.”

IRONMAN has also introduced a new Open division for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon Series events. This participatory division provides a welcoming and inclusive field for able-bodied athletes that cannot or do not wish to race in a competitive age or gender group. With no approval process necessary for participation in the Open division, athletes can self-select to register for the Open division during an event registration process. Athletes in the Open division will still be bound by the Competition Rules and are not eligible for IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship qualifying slots.

IRONMAN will also be further aligning with World Triathlon rules and policies in a number of areas as part of its updated global Competition Rules. Notably, IRONMAN will be applying World Triathlon’s eligibility regulations for Transgender Athletes which requires transitioning Male to Female athletes to maintain less than a 2.5 nMol/L testosterone level for two sequential years prior to receiving approval to compete as a Female. Further, transitioning Male to Female athletes may not have competed as a Male in an official competition of triathlon or its related multisport or an allied sport of swimming, cycling, athletics (including all track and field events) and cross-country skiing for a minimum four-years preceding approval to compete as a Female. Transitioning Male to Female athletes can participate in the Open division during this four-year period until they are formally approved under the new policy. Eligibility requirements for transitioning Female to Male athletes remain consistent with the previous Transgender Policy. The updated IRONMAN Transgender Policy can be found here.

Further alignment with World Triathlon will be applied in other areas of the IRONMAN Competition Rules as well, including the Run Conduct section regarding approved running shoes for all IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 Events. The updated policy can be found in Section 6.02 of the IRONMAN Competition Rules. Athletes are encouraged to check out the 2023 IRONMAN Competition Rules well in advance of their upcoming events to view these updates as well as other updates to the Competition Rules for this season. Any event specific questions can be directed to the corresponding event contact email.

In addition to federation alignment, athlete experience enhancement and feedback was, and continues to be, an extremely important consideration when determining the evolution of IRONMAN rules, policies, and resources. The expanded athlete divisions for 2023 build on recent policies and programs instilled by IRONMAN in years past, including the global pregnancy policy for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events and Flex90, an enhanced first 90 days registration benefit providing athletes with flexible registration and race adjustment options up to 7-days before an event.

For more information on the 2023 IRONMAN Competition Rules, visit www.ironman.com/competition-rules. For more information on IRONMAN and events in The IRONMAN Group portfolio, visit www.ironman.com. Media inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

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About IRONMAN DE&I Efforts

IRONMAN has and continues to provide a welcoming platform and environment for all, becoming synonymous with monumental achievement by athletes from around the world, proving that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^®. Over IRONMAN’s 40-plus year history, the brand and its series of events have worked with and celebrated athletes of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all races, religions, nationalities, and sexual orientations. Since the very first years, IRONMAN has represented breaking barriers and redefining what is possible. This legacy continues as athletes and the greater IRONMAN community have utilized the platform as a vehicle to challenge and redefine society views. The very first trailblazing Special Team of Dick and Rick Hoyt racing alongside other athletes was a pinnacle moment for what was to come. Their determination and fortitude has continued with athletes like John MacLean, Jim MacLaren, David Bailey, Carlos Moleda, Jim Howley, Scott Rigsby, Sarah Reinertsen, Rudy Tolson-Garcia, Ricky James, Turia Pitt, Minda Dentler, Team Agar, the Pease Brothers, Alex Zanardi, Rajesh Durbal, Team Liza, Lauren Parker, Roderick Sewell, and most recently Chris Nikic and Sam Holness, among so many others. These athletes and their achievements through IRONMAN have established non-profits and long-standing partnerships like the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which continues to do incredible work. The vastness of the athlete community, partners, and the openness that exists with its events is what makes IRONMAN special and is core to what the brand represents. Continuing the belief and importance of inclusivity, IRONMAN is committed to Women For Tri and Race For Change while working on additional avenues to further increase diversity, equity, and inclusion.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series events including the Canyons Endurance Runs, Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events including Haute Route^®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.