Event Rules
Swimrun Event Rules for Gritty Rascals events 2026. All athletes must make themselves familiar with these rules before taking part in the event.
Gritty Rascals Swimrun
Event Rules 2026
The following rules apply to all the race distances. Please make yourself familiar with these rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all involved.
If you have any comments, please contact us so that we can explain why some of the rules are in place and hear your feedback that we can use as we continue to evaluate how our events are organised and delivered for the best experience possible.
The following rules are subject to change and this page will be updated accordingly.
Last update: 4th December, 2024.
1. Entry Criteria
1.1 Athletes can compete in either a traditional team of two or solo. Athletes must be at least 18 years old on the date of the race.
1.2 Athletes must comply with all biosecurity measures where applicable.
1.3 Tickets are non-refundable. Once purchased, your entry cannot be exchanged, refunded or deferred for any reason, including injury, medical issues or factors outside your control.
1.4 Teams may change one team member prior to the race. Please inform us by contacting us here.
1.5 Athletes must attend Registration and the Safety Briefing before you can race.
1.6 Re-sale of entries is prohibited.
2. The Course
2.1 Gritty Rascals Events courses are fully marked.
2.2 Athletes must follow the marked course at all times.
2.3 We may be required to amend the course subject to weather conditions. Any changes will be explained in detail during the race Safety Briefing.
3. Checkpoints
3.1 There will be fully stocked checkpoints on all courses.
3.2 Teams must arrive at each checkpoint and transition as a pair.
3.3 Athletes must check in at all checkpoints. Do not leave the checkpoints without ensuring your race number had been recorded.
4. Medical
4.1 Athletes are obliged to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries.
4.2 Athletes are responsible for ensuring they have sufficient fitness and experience to take part, and will sign an Athlete Agreement to this effect.
5. Equipment
5.1 All athletes must present the following Mandatory Equipment at Registration, the Start and Finish – this equipment is not provided by the race organiser:
– Clean and dry wetsuit (suitable for temperatures of 10 degrees C).
– Wetsuits must provide coverage for your top and bottom half of your body and provide buoyancy. So this could be a swimrun specific wetsuit, a shorty, a full suit, a tri wetsuit cut at the knees, or a separate top and bottom (tri suits are not permitted).
– A whistle.
– A reusable cup (any reusable cup will be accepted, e.g. collapsible cups, soft flasks, etc.).
On events occurring in lakes, clean and dry trainers for biosecurity checks (a trainer check is not required at coastal races).
5.2 For all solo entrants Flotation Devices are mandatory:
– Flotation Devices are not provided by the race organiser.
– All Flotation Devices must be presented at Registration, the Start and Finish.
– Flotation Devices must be attached to the body throughout all swim sections.
– Flotation Devices are required to ensure solo athletes are visible in the water as well as to assist with buoyancy,
– Common devices include: Tow Floats, Safety Buoys & Restube Aids (Pull Buoys are not accepted as Safety Devices).
5.3 Athletes must carry the following equipment throughout the race – this equipment is provided by the race organiser:
– Gritty Rascals Race Vest – this must be worn and visible throughout the race.
– Gritty Rascals Swim Cap – this must be worn and visible throughout the swims.
5.4 Prohibited equipment – the following items are prohibited:
– Flotation devices larger than 100cm x 60cm.
– Swim fins longer than 15cm.
– Powered propulsion devices.
5.5 Athletes must be self-supported:
– Outside help on the course is prohibited.
– An exception will be made for competitors with medical conditions, who must identify themselves to the race organiser prior to the event.
– Marshalls will be available to assist solo athletes at technical transitions.
6. Timings & Cut offs
6.1 The clock begins when the whistle goes at the start and finishes when the last team member has crossed the Finish line.
6.2 Athletes must complete the event within the time limit.
6.3 Cut off times will be strictly enforced. There are cut offs at every swim entry and at every checkpoint; if you miss the cut off you will not be allowed to continue.
6.4 Athletes reaching the finish line after the final cut off will not be listed as finishers and will not be eligible for awards.
7. Athlete Responsibilities
7.1 Athletes must know the rules and follow them.
7.2 Athletes must offer assistance in case of emergency.
7.3 Littering of any kind will result in immediate disqualification. We have been given the privilege of racing through a pristine landscape.
7.4 Athletes compete in this event entirely at their own risk, including but not limited to road crossings, bay crossings, lake crossings, river crossings, and all other hazards of the ocean, lakes and trails.
7.5 Athletes must agree to the rules when they enter the race, either when purchasing their entry on the website or when providing their details as a teammate.
8. Protests
8.1 Protests must be submitted in writing to Gritty Rascals within an hour of finishing the race.
8.2 Protests must include:
– The reason for the protest
– The time and location of the contravention
– Team number and signatures of the team submitting the protest
– Team number or team name of the team the protest is against
– Witness names and team numbers where possible
8.3 Protests that do not satisfy the criteria outlined in rule 8.2 will not be considered.
8.4 The protest will be reviewed by the Race Committee and a decision communicated to those involved as soon as possible.
8.5 The Race Committee will apply ‘common sense’ to decisions about situations that aren’t clear in the rules.
8.6 The Race Committee’s decision is final.
9. Safety
9.1 Teams of two must stay together at all times and must remain less than 10 metres apart.
9.2 Athletes withdrawing from the event must hand in their Gritty Rascals Vests at the nearest checkpoint.
9.3 Gritty Rascals Events may prevent athletes from continuing if they are judged to be unable to safely complete the race.
10. Disqualification
10.1 Failure to follow the rules will lead to disqualification.
11. Media & Sponsor Exposure
11.1 Teams are allowed to have sponsors marked on their race gear.
11.2 Gritty Rascals Vests are not to be modified in any way and must be worn at all times.
11.3 Athletes give Gritty Rascals Events Ltd the right to use pictures and film material taken during the race, to be used free of rights in marketing, press material, internet, television and film.
12. Acceptance of the rules
12.1 By entering the race each athlete accepts the rules in full.
12.2 All images and rights from the event are reserved. All unauthorised commercial use of images will be legally addressed.