Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (“ID”) are individuals with certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including communication, social, and self-care skills. According to the American Association of Intellectual and Development Disabilities, an individual has an intellectual disability if he or she meets three criteria: 

• IQ is below 70-75;
• There are significant limitations in adaptive behavior. Adaptive behavior is the collection of conceptual, social and practical skills that are learned and performed by people in their everyday lives (e.g., language and literacy, interpersonal skills and personal care); and
• The condition manifests itself before the age of 22.

To be eligible to participate as an ID Open athlete, individuals must be a current registered athlete with Special Olympics, or a current registered athlete with a Virtus National Member Organization, or a similar organization. 

ID Open athletes will participate in the PC/ID Open Division. Conduct shall be consistent with those rules set forth in Article VIII of the IRONMAN Competition Rules.  

ID Open athletes must participate with a guide of non-specific gender throughout the entire Event they are participating in.

ID Open athletes must receive approval form IRONMAN prior to registering for an event. Eligible ID Open athletes must contact AWID@IRONMAN.com at least 60 days before an Event to start the approval process. Additional participation and registration requirements apply. 

Any questions regarding participation as an ID Open athlete should be directed to AWID@ironman.com.