race number belt

This is from the official USAT rule book:

f. Race Numbers: Participants shall plainly display their race numbers at all times, and shall maintain the race number in an unaltered, unobstructed and readable state at the start and finish gates, in the transition areas, and on the course. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.

So basically, if the race your running requires you to wear a number on the run, regardless of how many body markings you have, then you better wear the number on the run. 

I've forgotten my race belt in T2 before and wasn't penalized. I'm not usually contending for hardware, so even if I DID get a penalty, it wouldn't matter. FYI, race numbers are partly for photographers and penalty assessment, but are also for safety/first aid purposes. If someone goes down during a race, the number helps organizers quickly identify the racer.

Some races are more strict then others.  I forgot my number in a race and was told by the official at the transition exit to go back and get it.  Basically don't intentionally leave it behind.  No reason to take a chance if you don't have to. 

If you have your race number marked on your body isn't that plainly displaying it?  Assuming that it's not unreadable due to smearing or fading.

Most of the tris that I do here in NC specifically say that you will get a 2 min penalty if you don't have your numbers properly displayed, which is on the front during a run.  I never questioned it much.  I have done more running races, so I am just used to having a bib #.

I took a tip recently from Big Matty Reed - during the Lifetime Tri he won here in Minneapolis, he used an Xtenex elastic lace for a race belt. That works really slick! 

Because my "race belt" is nice & small, I then tuck my race number in the back of my tri shorts for the swim (I'm a 2-piece kinda guy), and then it's one less thing I worry about in transition.

I always wad up & mash the race number pre-race to soften it up, but recently, I've found some race numbers to be made of a new material that doesn't crumple up very well. That can make the whole stuff-in-the-shorts thing a bit more uncomfortable, but it's still worth it for me.

Just another way to skin the cat...

Cheers, Chris 
 

The USAT Rules state that not wearing(Which I assume excludes body marks) your race number facing forward is a variable time penalty.
This probably means the penalty is at the discrection of the race organizer.
Some races are more particular about it than others.

No, variable time penalties are spelled out in the USAT Competitive Rules, vary with the length of the race, and escalate on subsequent offenses.

The RD may dictate if/when it is a penalty, for instance some RDs require that the bib number be worn on the bike.

Most races are good at reminding you to put your race number on before you leave T2, wouldn't chance it though.

At one of my regular races they write your number down at the bike and run turnarounds so there is proof you made it all the way there. I agree with some of you, though, that it would be just as simple to use the numbers marked on your body.

I saw - or rather, didn't see - a lot of illegible/nearly gone body markings at Timberman today. I would guess that's why they don't rely on body marking.

Like another poster above, I just put my race belt on before the swim and never take it off. One less thing to do (or forget to do) in transition.

Yep. Wetsuits in a 1500 or longer will create havoc with race #'s on the arm. (Not even sure why they do it anymore, other than tradition.)

I don't wear one on the bike since I have the bike tag with the #, and then I have a belt underneath my shoes in T2. I tie the shoes, grab the belt and put it on while heading out of T2.

John

Now, if you do any WTC (Ironman or Half Ironman) races you HAVE to wear your race number on the bike.  If you dont, you will get a penalty (I found this out the hard way).  This really does not make a lot of sense but I have learned to deal with it and move on....

That makes sense.

i got body marked with the wrong number at my last race.  i had to show the body marking girl my race number of 110 and she wrote 101 all over my body.  i didn't even notice until i was trying to leave the race and got stoped on my way out of transition becuase my bike number didn't match my body number.  i guess they stopped me to confirm i wasn't stealing someones bike.  that's cool i guess.  better safe than sorry.  owhell, one more thing to double check before  the race.