COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Triathlon announced today that the 2013 USA Paratriathlon National Championships will be contested in Austin, Texas, in conjunction with the Capital of Texas Triathlon, for the second consecutive year.
Once again scheduled for Memorial Day - May 27, 2013 - Paratriathlon Nationals will feature the top U.S. paratriathletes aiming for national titles and racing side-by-side with able-bodied athletes on a sprint-distance course (750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run) in Austin. Information on athlete eligibility for the event will be available on usatriathlon.org later this year.
This year 12 inspirational athletes earned national titles in their respective paratriathlon competition categories. For more on the 2012 USA Paratriathlon National Championships, visit usatriathlon.org.
"The Capital of Texas Triathlon and its staff did a fantastic job hosting Paratriathlon Nationals this year, and USA Triathlon looks forward to building on that success in 2013," said Rob Urbach USA Triathlon CEO. "Given the military backgrounds of many paratriathletes, it is fitting to hold Paratriathlon Nationals on Memorial Day and we are proud to have this event be a key part of one of the nation's pre-eminent race weekends."
"On behalf of our entire race organizing committee, we are grateful that USA Triathlon chose to return to Austin and the CapTexTri for the 2013 USA Paratriathlon National Championships," said Rick Margiotta of the Capital of Texas Triathlon. "The effort that was put forth to make this year's Paratriathlon Nationals the best experience ever for the participating athletes was certainly worthwhile knowing that we'll once again have the opportunity to be host to these amazing athletes. I know that the committee and the City of Austin will step up to the challenge of making the 2013 event another huge success."
"This event will be another opportunity to host inspiring athletes and showcase our dynamic city," declared Matthew Payne, executive director of the Austin Sports Commission. "We're excited to see it come back again."
Interest in paratriathlon is at an all-time high, and the sport continues to grow following an announcement in 2010 that it will debut at the Paralympic Summer Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. Qualifying for the 2016 Paralympics is a goal for many of the athletes who will race in Austin next year. Visit usatriathlon.org for more on the sport of paratriathlon.
Photo Credit: SA Paratriathlon Nationals will return to Austin, Texas, in 2013. (Mario Cantu/USA Triathlon)
