Triathlon

For further information on Triathlon please visit www.britishtriathlon.co.uk

 

Disabled Triathlon   

Triathlon has come a long way since its beginnings in 1974 when a group of friends began to train together. The group consisted of swimmers, cyclists and runners, and before long they were organising competitions combining the three sports.

Triathlon is an exciting multi-discipline sport involving a continuous race over various distances in the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running. A standard triathlon is made up of a swim, followed by a cycle ride, followed by a run. Competitors race against the clock, which starts as they enter the swim and stops as they cross the finish line after the run.

British Triathlon has developed a classification system to ensure that disabled triathletes can compete and participate in triathlons throughout the country. Rules have been modified for disabled triathletes and over 150 races throughout the country have been designated as being fully inclusive for disabled athletes.

Currently the International Triathlon Union is negotiating with the International Paralympic Committee, with a view to triathlon being included as a demonstration sport in London 2012, with full inclusion in 2016.

Race Distances
Distances of individual events may vary from race to race, catering for all levels of fitness, from Super Sprint to Long Distance Triathlon (Ironman).

Additional equipment is permitted to be used by disabled triathletes (ie, racing chair, handbike, tandem, etc, as detailed in the modified rules)

Triathlon Clubs
Triathlon Clubs cater for all levels of ability and experience, and either have their own coach or access to one. Many clubs now have achieved the Disabled Triathlete Inclusive Club accreditation, denoting that they are fully accessible for disabled athletes.

Competition Status
Disabled Triathletes can compete in the British Disabled Triathlon Championships and the National Ranking Series, where they compete against other triathlete entrants of the same classification and gender.

Disabled Triathletes can also compete at the World and European Championships.

If you require any further information about the sport of triathlon, and specifically disabled triathlon opportunities, please contact me anytime.

 

Call Julian Wills, National Equity Manager on:

Telephone: 01822 850454 or 077395 26561

Email: julianwills@britishtriathlon.org

www.britishtriathlon.org