Race-day checklist | 3D Triathlon Club

Racing your first triathlon? Tick things off as you pack. Always read the race briefing too: every race has its own equipment, wetsuit, drafting and timing requirements. Check the Triathlon Ireland competition rules alongside your event briefing.

Items marked Optional are extras or alternatives: choose what suits your kit and race. You do not need to buy everything here. Your event rules take priority.

Before race day

Race entry confirmed and race number noted

Triathlon Ireland Full Membership or a One Day Membership valid for your event

Race briefing and race rules read (course maps, wetsuit rules, cut-off times)

Registration and transition opening times checked

Bike checked: tyres, brakes, gears, bar end plugs

Kit tried in training, nothing new on race day

Not sure which membership you have? See the membership options. If you entered outside the Triathlon Ireland entry system, you may need to buy One Day Membership separately. Follow Triathlon Ireland's One Day Membership instructions.

Swim

Suitable clothing for the swim, bike and run

Wetsuit, if it is a wetsuit swim

Goggles

Swim cap (usually provided by the race, wear it)

Backup goggles

Optional

Earplugs with backups

Optional

Flip-flops or slippers for the walk to the start

Optional

Goggle anti-fog

Optional

Body anti-chafe, e.g. Body Glide or Vaseline (check compatibility with your kit)

Optional

Bike

Bike, with race number sticker

Helmet with race number sticker

Cycling shoes, or runners if you ride in them

Bottles filled with water or your usual drink

Spare tube, tyre levers and pump or CO2

Sunglasses

Optional

Cycling gloves

Optional

Bands to hold cycling shoes on the pedals (only if practised)

Optional

Run

Everything else

Timing chip (collected at registration)

Photo ID or licence for registration

Gels, bars or snacks

Sunscreen

Warm clothes and dry clothes for after the race

Small towel (only where transition rules permit)

Optional

Extra water for rinsing sand off feet

Optional

Floor pump for pre-race tyre checks

Optional

Transition rules to know

Helmet on and buckled before you take your bike off the rack, and keep it buckled until your bike is back on the rack.
No riding in transition: get on after the mount line and off before the dismount line.
Race number at the back on the bike and at the front on the run. A number belt makes this easy.
Most age-group races are non-drafting: keep your distance from the rider ahead and only stay alongside to overtake.
No headphones during the race.
Walk through transition before the start so you can find your spot quickly.

Questions before your race? Ask at training or email hello@3dtri.ie. Afterwards, tell us how it went in a race report!