Cut Offs

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2025-01-06 11:26 AM


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Subject: Cut Offs
Hi All

I'm brand new to Triathlons and this forum so nice to meet everyone.

I'm considering jumping in the deep end and doing an Olympic marathon and wanted to ask a question about the cut offs.

If the cut offs for a race are 50 minutes swim, 2 hour cycle and 1 hour 5 min run, and i am really good cyclist and runner but bang average swimmer and complete the swim in 1 hour 20 and then easily make up the 15 minutes by doing the bike in 1 hour 20 and the run in 45 minutes will i still be pulled out the water because I'm going to slow?

Also how does it work? Are you literally tapped on the shoulder in the water or do they just notify you when you finish the swim?

Apologies if this ahs been asked before and its a bit of a rookie question and thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to respond

Adam

2025-01-07 8:30 AM
in reply to: quinney123

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Subject: RE: Cut Offs
Yes, they enforce the cutoffs at the end of each leg of the race. So you do need to get your swim to a level where you can confidently make the cut-off, even if you were a world-class cyclist and runner. That would be a good idea anyway, both for safety (you need to be able to execute the swim safely while surrounded by others and in varying conditions) and performance (you don't want to end the swim physically exhausted and mentally stressed out, which would affect the next two legs). As I recall, unless you abandon your race or appear to be in distress during the swim, you're usually allowed to finish the swim, then told at the end you can't continue to race.
2025-01-07 9:03 AM
in reply to: Hot Runner

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Subject: RE: Cut Offs

Originally posted by Hot Runner Yes, they enforce the cutoffs at the end of each leg of the race. So you do need to get your swim to a level where you can confidently make the cut-off, even if you were a world-class cyclist and runner. That would be a good idea anyway, both for safety (you need to be able to execute the swim safely while surrounded by others and in varying conditions) and performance (you don't want to end the swim physically exhausted and mentally stressed out, which would affect the next two legs). As I recall, unless you abandon your race or appear to be in distress during the swim, you're usually allowed to finish the swim, then told at the end you can't continue to race.

That sounds about right. 

Looking at the OP's cutoff, 50 minutes is a fairly long time to be in the water for a standard Olympic swim...well over 3:00/100M.  As someone who felt like they were basically treading water when first learning OWS, if you just keep moving the whole time you should make the cutoff.

2025-01-08 2:28 AM
in reply to: Hot Runner


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Subject: RE: Cut Offs
Thank you for your response!

Just trying to get an idea on how strict the cut offs are

As an example what happens if you have 200m left in the run and you hit cut off surely they dont kick you out just before you cross the line?
2025-01-08 11:53 AM
in reply to: quinney123

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Subject: RE: Cut Offs

Originally posted by quinney123 Thank you for your response! Just trying to get an idea on how strict the cut offs are As an example what happens if you have 200m left in the run and you hit cut off surely they dont kick you out just before you cross the line?

They'll probably let you cross the line, but you'll have a DQ or DNF in your official results. 

2025-01-11 11:31 AM
in reply to: jmhpsu93

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Subject: RE: Cut Offs

Originally posted by jmhpsu93

Originally posted by quinney123 Thank you for your response! Just trying to get an idea on how strict the cut offs are As an example what happens if you have 200m left in the run and you hit cut off surely they dont kick you out just before you cross the line?

They'll probably let you cross the line, but you'll have a DQ or DNF in your official results. 

Some depends on the race director and what agreements have been made to have the race. Insurance, road closure permits, and even volunteer arrangements often have time specified. 

For the swim, there must be qualified people (lifeguards) on hand and the 50 minute cutoff puts a bound on that. 

I’ve done races and volunteered for races with no formal cutoffs. I’ve also been the person enforcing the bike cutoff for a half-Ironman race. It wasn’t fun to tell those few people who missed the cutoff their race day was done.  I was grateful they all accepted the premature end of their race gracefully.  At least one was relieved to not start what was likely to be a 3+ hour slog of a run.  

When I did IMCdA, I was worried I’d get pulled off the course not for time cutoff but for injury.  I wasn’t, and I finished, but it wasn’t one of my smarter decisions.  It went OK, but that was luck. It could have turned horribly bad. Officials are trained to address distressed athletes, and good race directors encourage volunteers to also spot distressed athletes.  

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