Do shoe, clothing and bib rules apply to me in a road race?

Australian Athletics requirements for World Ranking road races: athletes must wear clothing, shoes and bibs that comply with World Athletics Technical Rule 5, but for road races this is limited to the elite component as defined by the race organiser. Shoe rules and regulations only apply to Under 20 and Open age groups (an Australian ruling), and also cover any younger athletes competing in those groups.

World Athletics Rule 5, in outline:

• Clothing must be clean, designed and worn so as not to be objectionable, and made of non-transparent material even when wet.
• Athletes may compete barefoot or in Athletic Shoes that comply with the World Athletics Athletic Shoe Regulations.
• Every athlete is provided with two bibs, worn visibly on the front and back of the torso. Bibs must be worn as issued and may not be cut, folded or obscured. In events of 10,000 metres and longer, bibs may be perforated for air circulation, but not through any lettering or numerals.
• An athlete who does not follow Rule 5 and refuses the Referee's direction to comply, or competes anyway, is disqualified.

World Athletics also says that for mass participation events, race organisers are advised to explain to all participants the rules that apply to each category.

Sources: https://www.athletics.com.au/world-ranking-competitions-and-venue-requirements-in-australia/ (version 14 January 2025) and World Athletics Technical Rules (Book C, C2.1), edition updated 1 July 2026: https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/book-of-rules