Ironman 70.3: Race Bibs, Body Decals, and Bike Check-Out
Bruna Mahn details race bib rules, gear stickers, and bike retrieval times in Florianópolis.
Clearing up practical questions before the start helps prevent basic mistakes at an Ironman 70.3 debut. In a chat with athletes, Bruna Mahn explained race bib usage, the best time to apply body decals, and the rules for bike check-out.
Final race prep for an Ironman 70.3 involves practical details that can save time and prevent headaches on race day. Speaking with athletes ahead of the Florianópolis event, former professional triathlete Bruna Mahn clarified essential rules on race numbers, gear identification, and the bike check-out process.
Using Race Bibs and Body Decals
A frequent question involves the race bib. For age-group athletes, wearing it is mandatory only during the run leg. Those who prefer to wear their race belt with the bib during the bike leg can do so to save precious seconds in transition, but the strict requirement to display the bib while cycling applies primarily to pros.
Regarding the temporary tattoo with the race number, the recommendation is to apply it to your arms only on Sunday morning before leaving home. Putting the decal on the night before risks fading overnight or getting rubbed off by bedsheets and early sunscreen application.
Extra Stickers and Gear Identification
The athlete kit includes several extra number stickers, and the recommendation is to use them to label personal accessories such as bike computers (Garmin) and pumps. According to Bruna, organizers end up with dozens of forgotten pumps in the transition area at every event simply due to a lack of labeling, which makes returning them impossible.
Bike Check-Out Rules and Schedule
After crossing the finish line, bike check-out on race day runs from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Athletes do not need to retrieve their bikes immediately; they can head to their hotel, shower, or rest before returning to transition.
If a competitor prefers to have a friend or family member retrieve their bike, they simply need to hand over their check-out ticket and timing chip, both of which are required by security staff to release the bike.