Paratriathlon
Paratriathlon athletes will swim 750 meters, bike 20-kilometers and run five kilometers. The sport is open to athletes with physical and visual impairments.
Coordination Impairments
Athletes with a Coordination Impairment have one or more of the following three movement disorders that adversely affects the ability to voluntarily produce a full range of skilled movement fluidly, rapidly, and accurately:
- Hypertonia/Spasticity: an increase in muscle tension that may be velocity-dependent and/or a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch.
- Motor Ataxia: limited precision in direction and velocity of voluntary movement.
- Dyskinesia (Athetosis, Dystonia, Chorea): involuntary movements that interfere with voluntary movements.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions that can lead to coordination impairments include Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Impaired Muscle Power
Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a reduced (or no) ability to contract their muscles to generate force that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system or the muscles.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired muscle power include: spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, and spina bifida.
Impaired Passive Range of Motion
Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a reduced ability for a joint to be passively moved that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting a structure of bones, joints, connective tissue, or soft tissues.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired passive range of motion include: arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
Limb Deficiency and/or Limb Length Difference
Athletes with Limb Deficiency or Limb Length Difference have a total or partial absence of a limb or anatomically irregular limb dimensions that are consistent with an Underlying Health Condition resulting from trauma (traumatic amputation), illness (example: amputation due to bone cancer), or congenital causes affecting the bones and/or joints (example: dysmelia).
This impairment group can be further divided into the following sub-categories:
- Limb deficiency
- Leg length difference and/or
- Arm length difference
Vision Impairment
Athletes with Vision Impairment have an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure or function of the eye, optic nerve, optic chiasm, post chiasma visual pathways, or visual cortex of the brain resulting in reduced or no visual function even when using the best possible refractive or optical correction.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to vision impairments include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.
Entering The Pathway
Getting started in paratriathlon is all about exploring swim, bike, and run in a way that works for your abilities and interests. Athletes typically enter the pathway by connecting with a local club or directly with USA Triathlon, where they can learn about classification, development programs, and beginner-friendly events. Because the sport often requires specialized equipment, having access to the appropriate equipment is an important part of getting started.
Once an athlete has completed classification, it’s recommended to participate in USA Paratriathlon Nationals Qualifier Series competitions and the Paratriathlon National Championships, while continuing to train and build experience toward progression at the national and international levels.
Equipment
At minimum, athletes will need the following equipment to compete in paratriathlon:
- Triathlon suit and goggles
- Helmet
- Bike (or handcycle/racing chair, as applicable)
- Running blade (as applicable)
- Cycling and running shoes
Get Connected to USA Triathlon
Paratriathlon Introductory Survey, opens in a new tabComplete the Paratriathlon Introductory Survey to get connected with USA Triathlon. This will add interested athletes to the athlete database and ensure they receive paratriathlon newsletters with updates on upcoming events, opportunities, and other important information.
Submit a Virtual Combine
Submit Your Virtual Combine, opens in a new tabTop-performing athletes interested in pursuing elite development and attending a Paratriathlon Talent ID Camp should submit a Virtual Combine, which includes their best 200m swim time trial and 1K run time trial. Athletes who have not yet competed in paratriathlon are also encouraged to apply; those with strong performances in at least two disciplines (swimming, cycling, or running) will be considered.
Paratriathlon offers National Classification to athletes in conjunction with the USAT Paratriathlon National Championships. See below for how to get classified in Paratriathlon and the different classifications in Paratriathlon
Physical Impairments
Physical Impairment Medical Diagnosis Form, opens in a new tabTo secure a national physical impairment classification appointment an athlete needs to submit a completed Medical Diagnosis Form from their doctor to USA Triathlon at auburn.bosworth@usatriathlon.org.
- USA Triathlon national classifiers will review and provide a provisional classification to the athlete.
- One the athlete has obtained a provisional classification, the athlete will need to earn a qualifying time based on their classification category at one of the USAT Paratriathlon National Qualifier Series races.
- Once their time has been achieved, they will provide it to USAT, register for Nationals, and request a national classification appointment.
Vision Impairments
National Vision Impairment MDF, opens in a new tabFor National Classification for visual impairments, classification is completed through the submission and review of paperwork. There is no in-person evaluation at the national level.
- See your Ophthalmologist and have him/her fill out the Visual Impairment Medical Diagnostic Form.
- Submit this form to paratriathlon@usatriathlon.org for processing.
- USA Triathlon will report back your national sport class and sport class status.
Wheelchair Classes
PTWC1 - PTWC2: Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment; Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to: muscle power, limb deficiency, and coordination impairments.
- PTWC1 - Most impaired wheelchair users, likely a higher level of paraplegia.
- PTWC2 - Least impaired wheelchair users, could include a lower level of paraplegia (compared to PWC1), and include athletes with bilateral above-knee amputations.
Ambulatory Classes
PTS2 – PTS5: In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, coordination impairments, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
- PTS2 - Severe Impairments
- PTS3 - Significant Impairments
- PTS4 - Moderate Impairments
- PTS5 - Mild Impairments
Vision Impairment Classes
PTVI1 - PTVI3: Total or partial visual impairment includes athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception in either eye to some light perception and partially sighted athletes. A guide is required throughout the race, and athletes must ride a tandem bike during the cycling segment.
- PTVI1 - Includes athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception in either eye, to some light perception.
- PTVI2 - Includes athletes who are more severe partially sighted athletes.
- PTVI3 - Includes athletes who are less severe partially sighted athletes.
Club Locator
USA Triathlon Club Locator, opens in a new tabFind a USA Triathlon Club near you to begin your journey in paratriathlon!
Competitions
Qualifying Series Schedule, opens in a new tabLearn more about the USA Paratriathlon Nationals Qualifier Series races to showcase your skills and gain experience in competition.
Pathway Progression
Continue training and competing at National Championships, focus on improving performance, and attend USA Triathlon Talent ID Camps to progress toward national team selection and international competitions, including World Championships and the Paralympics.