Blue Card

You receive a Blue Card penalty for drafting or littering while biking in an IRONMAN event. The five-minute penalty is added to your time, and you must wait in an exclusive penalty tent. Three Blue Cards will disqualify you. IRONMAN employs Blue Cards to ensure that everyone is treated equally and that the environment is kept safe. Drafting, or riding too close behind another competitor, is an unfair advantage and is prohibited in non-drafting events. Littering, such as disposing of bottles or wrappers outside of aid stations, can be detrimental to the environment and other athletes. Penalty tents are established on the bike course where athletes must stop to serve time. This system promotes individual effort and respect for the race environment. Athletes must be aware of and adhere to these rules to avoid penalties and to keep the race fair and clean.