USA Triathlon, in partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), has confirmed that, for the third year, a professional prize purse with be offered to athletes who medal at the USA Paratriathlon National Championships.
The US$20,000 total purse, provided equally by USA Triathlon and CAF, will be presented to the podium finishers in each class.
The National Championships will be held on September 10, in Williamsburg, Virginia, in conjunction with the Patriots Triathlon Festival. The course takes place alongside Jamestown Beach and winds through farmland and forest on a combination of bike paths and jogging trails. Athletes will compete for national titles in six paratriathlon sport classes.
National champions will receive US$700 each, runners-up will receive US$500, and third-place finishers will receive US$250. Sighted guides competing alongside athletes with visual impairments will also receive equivalent winnings.
USA Triathlon, with support from World Triathlon and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, notes that it has played a leading role in professionalizing the sport of paratriathlon, including being the first country in the world to offer prize money for an elite paratriathlon race.
“USA Triathlon is thrilled to once again partner with CAF to continue our work to professionalize paratriathlon,” said Scott Schnitzspahn, High Performance General Manager at USA Triathlon.
“We have a strong field of talent across our para categories and are committed to finding ways to ensure the growth and development of professional racing opportunities as we head into Paris 2024 and towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.”
Bob Babbitt, co-founder of Challenged Athletes Foundation, said “Partnering with USA Triathlon to provide the prize purse for the USA Paratriathlon National Championships is a testament to our continuing commitment of helping athletes achieve their dreams.
“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we are dedicated to empowering individuals with physical challenges to lead active lives. CAF is honoured to contribute to advancing paratriathlon nationally and globally.”
Prize purse recipients must hold a current paratriathlete or elite paratriathlete USA Triathlon membership valid through September 10, 2023. In addition, they must either be a US citizen or US national to be able to represent the United States at World Triathlon competitions immediately.
