Ironman Hawaii bans compression socks
-Über endurance athletes for years have used fashion to identify themselves to each other and the rest of the world. Race finisher t-shirts and hats; logoed backpacks, men with shaved legs, and the telltale M-Dot Ironman tattoo have been the unofficial uniforms of triathletes. And, just a couple of years ago a new piece of clothing emerged from the race course and it's causing more than a little chatter among triathletes and non-athletes alike: the compression sock. Although their effectiveness when worn while racing is debatable their efficacy for those with leg vein ailments is well documented. These seemingly de rigueur pieces of gear are often worn off the race course, in public, in airports, and increasingly elsewhere, by traveling men and women in shorts or skirts. That combination, along with a brightly colored polyester shirt and man-smooth legs, can send the most jaded fashionista running to hide behind the pages of Vogue. Fashion abomination or not it appears compression socks, and their cousins the calf guards, are firmly on the race scene even if not a catwalk in Paris.
Race orgainzers make their mark.
Despite their growing popularity, the fans of the therapeutic hose, who endure sneers and jeers, now have a new foe. World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), the organizers and rule making body of Ironman Hawaii, has just added a new regulation to this year’s championship race. According to the “2009 Athlete Information Guide,” which states, in part, during the race, “Any garment, such as tights, compression socks, tube socks, medical tape, etc. that conceals body marking on the calves, will not be permitted.” According to the frequented Slowtwitch.com triathlon forum the rationale for the new rule is to continue the sport’s long tradition of marking the athlete’s age on their calves. Body marking serves as an identifier for competitors to determine if they are passing (or being passed by) someone in their age group division and concealing it may put the sock adorned at an advantage.
It’s not clear if the rule will be applied to all future WTC races but if it is, it’s sure to stop a run in the hose and give fashion critics a leg up on the athletes.
-Über endurance athletes for years have used fashion to identify themselves to each other and the rest of the world. Race finisher t-shirts and hats; logoed backpacks, men with shaved legs, and the telltale M-Dot Ironman tattoo have been the unofficial uniforms of triathletes. And, just a couple of years ago a new piece of clothing emerged from the race course and it's causing more than a little chatter among triathletes and non-athletes alike: the compression sock. Although their effectiveness when worn while racing is debatable their efficacy for those with leg vein ailments is well documented. These seemingly de rigueur pieces of gear are often worn off the race course, in public, in airports, and increasingly elsewhere, by traveling men and women in shorts or skirts. That combination, along with a brightly colored polyester shirt and man-smooth legs, can send the most jaded fashionista running to hide behind the pages of Vogue. Fashion abomination or not it appears compression socks, and their cousins the calf guards, are firmly on the race scene even if not a catwalk in Paris.
Race orgainzers make their mark.
Despite their growing popularity, the fans of the therapeutic hose, who endure sneers and jeers, now have a new foe. World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), the organizers and rule making body of Ironman Hawaii, has just added a new regulation to this year’s championship race. According to the “2009 Athlete Information Guide,” which states, in part, during the race, “Any garment, such as tights, compression socks, tube socks, medical tape, etc. that conceals body marking on the calves, will not be permitted.” According to the frequented Slowtwitch.com triathlon forum the rationale for the new rule is to continue the sport’s long tradition of marking the athlete’s age on their calves. Body marking serves as an identifier for competitors to determine if they are passing (or being passed by) someone in their age group division and concealing it may put the sock adorned at an advantage.
It’s not clear if the rule will be applied to all future WTC races but if it is, it’s sure to stop a run in the hose and give fashion critics a leg up on the athletes.
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