Coincidence or not – just hours after the news broke that Challenge Roth is moving from a 12‑meter to a 20‑meter drafting zone – Ironman has now done the same. In a recently issued announcement, the organization confirmed a change to its race rules: professional athletes will now be required to maintain a 20‑meter gap on the bike, while Age Group competitors will continue to race under a 12‑meter drafting zone.
Ironman recently conducted a series of studies in collaboration with several professional athletes and RaceRanger to examine the drafting advantages associated with different drafting zones. The conclusion: a 20‑meter drafting zone delivers fairer competition than the traditional 12‑meter rule.
With this decision, Ironman becomes the latest major series to adopt the longer drafting zone. Challenge Family implemented a 20‑meter drafting zone years ago, and the PTO already uses the same standard. Since its introduction, professional athletes have been vocal in calling for broader adoption of the rule across the sport.
The 20‑meter drafting zone will take effect on March 1, 2026, at all professional Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events.
