Policies

Race Cancellation Policy

All of the Foundation's events require permits issued by the Coast Guard. These permits are issued subject to prevailing Homeland Security concerns and Maritime Security Levels in the area. If conditions change, the Coast Guard may require that we alter, reschedule or cancel an event.

Our paramount concern is the health and safety of our swimmers and volunteer kayakers. For this reason, we are sometimes forced to cancel races due to unsafe weather conditions or unsanitary water conditions.

After a prolonged or heavy rainfall, it may take several hours to several days before the rivers are again safe for swimmers, due to the trash, untreated storm runoff, and Flotsam and Jetsam that may flow into Manhattan's water ways.

In addition, inclement weather may interfere with our ability to set up a race, forcing us to cancel the event even when the forecast calls for better conditions at the scheduled starting time.

The race director has full discretion to cancel a race at any time. In the event of an advance cancellation of an event by MIF:

1. If possible, MIF will reschedule the event for the same season. Please note that our ability to reschedule depends on many factors, including the tides, weather, other events scheduled in the local waters, and government permit requirements.
2. If the event is rescheduled, MIF will automatically transfer the registrations of all registered applicants to the new event date. Any registered applicants who cannot participate on the rescheduled date will receive a credit equal to 50% of the registration fee for the canceled event. The applicant may apply the credit towards any MIF swim race in the Current or next following season, with the exception of the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and the Ederle Swim.
3. If the event cannot be rescheduled, all registered applicants will receive a 50% credit towards any MIF swim race in the Current or next following season, with the exception of the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and the Ederle Swim.

Volunteers

MIF is a not-for-profit organization with no full-time staff. Without volunteers, the races cannot take place. We encourage you to volunteer for races in which you are not participating. We also encourage you to invite your family and friends to volunteer while you are swimming. Volunteers will receive gift bags, including official race shirts, for each event at which they volunteer.

Those individuals who are volunteering as a means of accruing frequent participant points for 2009 must enroll online as a volunteer in advance of the event and must check in with the volunteer coordinator on the day of the event in order to receive volunteer credit.

Substitutions and Withdrawals

MIF incurs nearly all race expenses before race day. For that reason, we are not able to reimburse registered swimmers who wish to withdraw from an event. However, we will provide a 50% credit to registered swimmers who are unable to participate in an event due to a medical condition. To obtain this credit, you must contact us at withdraw@nycswim.org no less than two weeks prior to race date with medical documentation showing that you will be unable to participate in the enrolled event. No other refunds, credits or exchanges will be provided.

Swimmers who withdraw for medical reasons will receive a credit equal to 50% of their registration fee, which can be applied towards any future MIF event except for the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, the Manhattan Island "Quiet" Swims and the Ederle Swim. The credit must be used within 365 days of the date of issue.

We will not grant any other credits or exchanges, except in instances where we are forced to cancel an event (see Race Cancellation Policy, above).

No entrant may sell, trade or otherwise allow another person to use an entry. Such substitutions jeopardize our insurance and our ability to secure the permits necessary to produce future events.

Anyone found to be participating under another person’s entry will be disqualified from the event, and both the participant and the original registrant will be barred from all future Manhattan Island Foundation, Inc. events.

Safety

The race officials have authority to pull a swimmer from the water at any time for the swimmer’s own safety. Potentially dangerous conditions may include, without limitation, hypothermia, changes to weather or water conditions, or interference by shipping or other watercraft traffic. The race courses are patrolled by lifeguards and government safety officials, and each race includes a medical team. The race officials shall have full discretion to pull any swimmer from the water for safety reasons, and to determine when and if the swimmer may resume swimming.

General Race Rules (Aquathlon)

No entrants under 15 years of age are allowed to participate in the event.

Race management has the authority to modify any aspect of the race or to cancel the event for safety or other considerations. The full policy can be found here. Event cancellation information will be available on the event line (888) NYC-SWIM.

All fees are non-refundable. It is prohibited to sell, trade, or exchange your race number and/or for someone else to participate using your race number. Further information on substitutions and withdrawals can be found here.

It is the participants’ responsibility to be familiar with and comply with all race rules. Participants must follow the directions of race officials and public authority. Race officials have ultimate and final authority to remove participants who violate race rules.

Time Limits:

· There is a time limit of 1 hour to complete the swim segment.
· The run course officially closes 2 hours after the NYC Aquathlon starts.

It is the participants’ responsibility to be familiar with and to stay on the race course. Participants may not accept outside assistance or be accompanied on the swim or run by non-participants. Pacers are not allowed.

Race numbers, timing chips and registration materials will not be issued to participants without photo ID and a signed waiver. Check the run race number and other registration materials to ensure that race numbers match and that correct information regarding your name, age, and gender is listed. Notify race officials of any errors prior to the race.

You must wear the timing chip on its strap and secured to your ankle at all times. Only competitors wearing the chip will have split times and final times recorded. If you are not going to start the race, return the chip at registration. If you begin the race but do not complete it, return the chip to the timing officials at the finish line.

Participants must follow instruction of race officials and public authorities at all times.
Participants must obey all traffic laws.

Glass containers are not permitted on the race course or in the transition area.

Relay teams will consist of one swimmer and one runner. The swimmer may only complete the swim segment of the race and the runner may only complete the run segment.

Swim Rules (Aquathlon)

Swimmers must have completed and provide documentation of one of the following:

· any Manhattan Island Foundation, Inc. (MIF) swim race;
· any timed open-water swim of 3/4 mile or more;
· a sprint triathlon with a timed open-water swim;
· a continuous 1 mile pool swim in 45 minutes or better.

Race management further reserves the right to accept or reject any race entry.

Additional information on swim qualifications can be found here.

Swimmers may only enter water at designated points of entry and must wait until directed to enter by race officials. No pre-race warm-up swim is allowed.

Competitors must wear the official race swim cap.

Wetsuits are permitted but may affect a swimmer's eligibility for awards. The full wetsuit policy can be viewed here.

All swimmers are required to have their race number marked on their arms prior to entering the water. Those using long-sleeved wetsuits must have their race number marked on each hand.

Participants may use any form of swimming stroke for propulsion through the water. They may also float or tread water.

Participants are NOT allowed to use fins, paddles, gloves, kickboards, powered vessels, flotation devices or any other gear that provides an unfair advantage to the participant.

Participants are not allowed to use surfboards or any other water safety vessels for forward progress or for extended periods of rest time (more than 60 seconds).

Swimmers requiring emergency assistance should raise an arm overhead.

Race officials may remove anyone from the water whom they deem to be unsafe or incapable of completing the swim by the official cut-off.

You must notify a race official immediately if you do not complete the swim. Participants who do not complete the swim course are considered non-finishers and will not be allowed to start the run.

Only participants with race numbers and race officials are allowed in the transition area before, during, or after the event.

Participants’ gear must be positioned in their designated space inside the transition area. All items wrongly positioned will be removed from the transition area.

All racing equipment and gear used in the swim and not to be used on the run must be placed in the transition bag provided by race management. This bag must be placed in the “drop zone” at the exit of the transition area before the participant starts the run.

Indecent exposure is not allowed and will result in disqualification.

Swim completion times will include transition time and will be taken as participants exit the transition area for the run.

The relay tag between swimmer and runner will take place near the exit of the transition area.

Run Rules (Aquathlon)

It is the participants’ responsibility to be familiar with the course directions. All turns on the run course will be marked by orange cones, directional arrows on the ground, or signs. We recommend that you read and learn the run course before you race it.

The run course is open to other recreational traffic including runners, walkers and cyclists. You must obey traffic rules at all times. Run with the direction of traffic and stay on the right of the path at all times unless directed to do otherwise by race officials. There is a 2-minute penalty for interfering with the normal flow of traffic.

No locomotion other than running or walking is permitted on the run segment.

Shoes are required. Torso coverage is also required for all competitors.

The race number must be worn on the front of the body and be clearly visible at all times during the run. Modifying, cutting, or folding of race numbers is prohibited. If your run number is not visible during the run segment of the race, you will receive a 2-minute penalty.

Participants are not allowed to use headphones, earphones, or any other equipment that acts as an impediment to hearing, vision, or concentration during the event.

After crossing the finish line, all participants must stay in finishing order in the chute. Timing chips must be removed and handed to the race officials at the end of the timing chute.

Award winners must be present at the post-race awards ceremony to claim their award.

Pre- and post-race refreshments as well as aid stations are provided for race participants only.

Race Violations Resulting in 2-Minute Penalties (Aquathlon)

· Race gear not placed in assigned space in transition area.
· Race gear not placed in participants’ transition bag before the run and/or transition bag not deposited in drop zone by participant before beginning run segment of race.
· Accepting outside assistance.
· Pacing by non-participant.
· Interfering with the normal flow of traffic on the run course.
· Race number not visible on the front of the body at any point during the run.
· Running off designated course.

Race Violations Resulting in Disqualification (Aquathlon)

· Failure to follow the instructions of race officials or management.
· Unsportsmanlike conduct or abuse of any volunteer, race official, event staff, or any other participant.
· Failure to wear an official race swim cap throughout the swimming segment of the race.
· Use of a surfboard or other water safety vessel for forward progress or for extended periods of rest (more than 60 seconds).
· Use of glass containers anywhere on the race course or in the transition area.
· Leaving or discarding equipment on the race course.
· Use of any equipment that acts as an impediment to hearing, vision, or concentration during any portion of the race.
· Indecent exposure.

Swim Attire and Wetsuit Policy

For the Manhattan Swim and the Ederle Swim: All swimming costumes must be made of a porous material and conform to the "traditional" swimming suit style. These events do not allow attire that increases buoyancy or heat retention, including wetsuits, neoprene caps, or neoprene socks. Caps shall be defined as headgear conforming to traditional swim cap design and not extending to protect the neck or shoulders. Please consult the Race Rules on the MIMS Policies and Ederle Policies pages for additional details on permitted swimwear.

For the Swim Series: We do allow wetsuits/non-traditional swim attire, neoprene caps that do not cover the swimmer's ears, and neoprene socks. However, swimmers in wetsuits/non-traditional swim attire or neoprene accessories (caps, socks, etc.) will be ineligible for awards if the water temperature is 68°F (20°C) or higher. Suits that reduce drag in the water, increase buoyancy, or increase heat-retention such as Speedo LZR Racer, Speedo Aquablade, Speedo FS II, Speedo Fastskin, TYR Aqua Shift, TYR Aquapel, TYR Fusion2, Nike Liftsuit, blue seventy zeropoint3 and suits with similar materials are included within the wetsuit category. For each swim, an official announcement regarding temperature and award eligibility will be made on the website and in a final email to participants no later than two days before the event.