Special Needs Bags are often referred to as plastic gear bags that are placed at a pre-determined location during the bike and run portion of a long-course triathlon, such as an Ironman. Athletes who require special hydration, nutrition, clothing or even medication, can place their desired items into the special needs bags and retrieve them at a later time during the race.
Generally, this location will be somewhere about half way on the bike or round course (not applicable on loop courses). For example, an athlete may be sensitive to the nutrition given out during a particular race. As a solution, the athlete uses 3 pre-filled bottles on the bike, and keeps 3 additional bottles in the special needs bag to switch out later. In addition to taking in water at aid stations, the athlete now has the nutrition needed to make it through the bike course despite not being able to use the standard course nutrition offered.
