IRONMAN Conducting Comprehensive Draft Zone Testing in Coordination with RaceRanger

TAMPA, Fla. (December 17, 2025) - Following the release of 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series RaceRanger drafting data, IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, announced it is in the process of conducting a multi-phase draft zone testing initiative, leveraging cutting-edge technology and cycling aerodynamics expertise. To support the project, IRONMAN has been working in collaboration with RaceRanger and has also brought in leading aerodynamics and electrical engineering expert Marc Graveline to develop and lead the testing protocols. Efforts will be made throughout the phased approach to test theories and simulations using real world conditions and professional athletes, with an end result that demonstrates to what degree there is meaningful impact between different draft zone distances and how they affect the race dynamics, including course density within IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events.

"We are always looking for ways to further enhance our racing experience in thoughtful ways. The conversation related to the impact of different draft zone distances has been a topic for many years, and today it is a topic that many athletes care deeply about. By bringing in outside expertise to do scientific testing, we are not only listening to the interests of our athletes, but also putting in the work and resources to test different models and simulations with real world conditions to understand the full impact of race dynamics for our professional and age-group athletes," said Scott DeRue, CEO for The IRONMAN Group. "We are fortunate to have such a well-regarded expert like Marc Graveline conducting the testing alongside our team, RaceRanger, and some of the top professional triathletes in the world to ensure we get objective results that will help in determining our pathway forward."

Graveline who has been brought in to lead the testing is a retired tech executive that spent 30 years with leading tech companies, including HP, IBM, and SAP, in addition to a number of startups. He is also the original founder of Notio Inc, the first commercial aero meter. Graveline now spends his time focusing on the next generation of aero technology and remains active with World Tour Cycling teams and athletes, including winners of The Vuelta, Giro and Tour de France. He also developed "The Gizmo," an aerodynamic testing sensor used for on-road aerodynamics field testing in cycling and triathlon. Graveline is an accomplished IRONMAN athlete having completed over 20 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events, including multiple IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship events.

"I am excited to work with IRONMAN in collaboration with RaceRanger and professional athletes to apply technology that can accurately measure and understand the impact of draft zone distances," said Marc Graveline, aerodynamics expert. "This data will be fed into sophisticated models that incorporate historical riding data and key factors such as pass times and slotting in, enabling a deeper understanding of how drafting impacts athlete performance."

An initial test was conducted earlier this year in June to get baseline results to help refine parameters for an even more comprehensive test taking place this week in Tucson, Arizona. Before the group testing begins, a coefficient of aerodynamic drag (CdA) is collected for every athlete participating in the testing. This week's testing will include six professional triathletes, collecting their data during multiple testing runs at IRONMAN 70.3 race pace speeds and wattage. The athletes' bikes are instrumented to collect power, speed, wind, air density, inclination of road and many other factors during the group tests. RaceRanger will help guide the athletes to hold the specific testing distance and provide the ability to measure any variability in that distance. Multiple test runs will take place for 12, 16, and 20 meters. During the various testing runs, rider positions will be exchanged to examine how the size difference of riders may affect power data. Data computed from the baseline CdA will be compared to the data from the group test and can determine power savings at the various positions and distances. The data will then be used to approximate power differences at other race speeds as well. Once the data is produced, a team will review and determine other potential testing necessary.

IRONMAN has additional plans for in-event testing in early 2026, further validating findings in real-world conditions, and will continue to put resources behind the study with best-in-class technology and leading experts in the industry. After the testing process is completed, IRONMAN will continue to work with experts to analyze the data and determine the optimal draft zone distance that can be applied consistently across all events that host professional and age-group athletes. Other key operational factors, such as course density, professional and age group start protocols, and race-course logistics, will also be considered as part of the decision in determining the optimal draft zone for our athletes. Any changes will be shared and could include both changes to the distance and time allowed to pass.

Prior to 2015, draft zones in triathlon varied by country and national federations, typically ranging from 7 to 10 meters. To aid in creating a consistent racing experience for professional triathletes, IRONMAN established its first set of global competition rules in 2015, and set a 12-meter draft zone for professional athletes for all of its events globally. Over the years, technology has advanced with anti-drafting technology like RaceRanger, and at the same time IRONMAN has worked with World Triathlon to further align on global competition rules leading to evolution in drafting penalties and standards, with the latest updates taking place in 2025.

For more information on the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.

For any media enquiries on IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races please contact: [email protected].

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About RaceRanger
RaceRanger is a world first triathlon specific technology, addressing the problem of drafting on the bike section of non-drafting triathlons. Developed in New Zealand by two former pro athletes, James Elvery and Dylan McNeice, the system accurately measures athlete drafting distances. A following rider is shown a series of coloured lights from the rear of the bike in front, to indicate how closely they are following that rider. In draft zone 0-12m = red flashing light, last warning zone 12-14m = solid blue light, first warning zone 14-17m = solid orange light. RaceRanger ensures a fairer standard of competition and officiating by allowing both athletes and referees to accurately view the draft distance. Beyond the indicator lights, drafting data is recorded as athletes progress around the course and can be shared with officials to help inform their activity and decisions. Referees still make all penalty decisions. RaceRanger simply provides information to remove the subjectivity around the following distance, which was previously a naked eye judgement. For more information visit www.raceranger.com.

About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group is the world's largest operator of participation sports with a portfolio of brands, events, media, partners, merchandise, and digital platforms operating in over 50 countries worldwide. A global portfolio consisting of hundreds of events includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150® Triathlon Series, IRONKIDS®, premier running events including the Rock 'n' Roll® Running Series, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, the UTMB® World Series of trail running, the Epic Series™ of mountain biking including the Absa Cape Epic®, and a collection of road cycling and other multisport races. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, millions of athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. From its beginnings as a single race among friends in Hawai'i, The IRONMAN Group has become a global sensation and collection of high-growth lifestyle brands that inspire people to unlock their potential in life. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.