Introduction

Paratriathlon is an endurance sport that challenges athletes to a continuous race over three disciplines. The sport is designed to embrace as many athletes as possible, while testing a variety of key skills.

The sport was introduced to the Paralympics in 2010 and comprises of three disciplines; 750m of swimming, followed by 20km of cycling and 5km of running. Lengths of the event vary between age and classification groups.

How to Do Paratriathlon

Paratriathlon consists of a swim, a run and a bicycle leg, where distances vary between age group and/or classification group.  

Depending on the athlete’s disability, a hand cycle or a  tandem bicycle are permitted on the bike leg, while wheelchairs are per-mitted for some on the run leg.

The sport has an unlimited age-span, and is available to all those who wish to get involved. 

Basic Rules of PAratriathlon 

Please click here to download the Rule Book from International Triathlon Union that is used at national/international events.

Who can do Paratriathlon 

Impairment Type

To be eligible to compete in paratriathlons in Australia athletes must be medically diagnosed to either have a physical or visual impairment.

Classification

Each Athlete is classified based on their functional ability, in order to keep a level playing field. In paratriathlon there are 5 classes:

Physical Impairment: PT 1-4
Visual Impairment: PT 5

PT1: Athletes with spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy or brain injury or limb loss who have no effective use of their legs. Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle or tricycle on bike course and racing wheel chair on run.

PT2: Athletes with limb loss, cerebral palsy or brain injury, nerve damage, joint restrictions or other. Athletes ride bicycles and may use a prosthesis or other support. Athletes have a classification score of up to 454,9 points

PT3: Athletes with limb loss, cerebral palsy or brain injury, nerve damage, joint restrictions or other. Athletes ride bicycles and may use a prosthesis or other support. Athletes have a classification score of 455,0 to 494,9 points

PT4: Athletes with limb loss, cerebral palsy or brain injury, nerve damage, joint restrictions. Athletes ride bicycles and may use a prosthesis or other support. Athletes have a classification score of 495,0 to 557,0 points

PT5: Athletes with a vision Impairment with less than 6/60 visual acuity or 40 degrees visual field (diameter) in best eye with best corrected vision. Athletes are tethered during the swim and run and use a tandem bicycle. A guide or handler of the same sex is mandatory throughout the race.

How Do I Get Classified?

When an athlete first starts competing he/she undergoes a process to place them into the correct class. This process is conducted by a classification panel, a group of individuals authorized and certified by a Sport Federation. The process includes:

•    the verification of the presence of an eligible impairment for paratriathlon
•    physical and technical assessment to examine the degree of activity limitation
•    the allocation of a sport class
•    the observation in competition

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in paratriathlon in Australia:

  • Enter a short distance enticer /novice race.
  • Enter as a member of a two or three person team. 
  • Join a triathlon club: Triathlon clubs are a great way to meet other triathletes and coaches, get involved in a regular training programme, or sign up for a skills development course. 
  • Go along as a supporter for family or friends.

Where Is it Played

Every state has a local Paratriathlon program which is open to players of all skill levels. To start playing, contact your state affiliation listed in “Who Runs The Sport”.

Athlete Pathway

Paratriathlon in Australia encourages all ages and all abilities to enter. 

Whether your goal is to complete your first Sprint or Olympic distance triathlon, participate in state or national championships, or to gain selection for the age group world championship team, paratriathlon is a sport which provides the pathways between participation and high performance in a way which enables all individuals to achieve whatever level they aspire to.

To find out more about the competition pathway please the state office listed below under “Who runs the Sport”.

Become an Official

Technical Officials are responsible ensuring that an event is run in accordance with the Triathlon Australia (TA) Race Competition Rules (RCR).  Our aim as officials is to:
        - Create an atmosphere of sportsmanship, equality and fair play;
        - Optimise safety and protection;
        - Penalise competitors who seek to  gain an unfair advantage; and
        - Emphasise ingenuity and skill without unduly limiting the competitor's freedom of action.

Register your interest by contacting your local State or Territory Association or email the Triathlon Australia Technical Team directly at technical@triathlon.org.au

Become a Classifier

To be eligible to commence training as a classifier, individuals must meet the following prerequisites:

Medical classifiers: Currently registered medical professional (physiotherapist or medical doctor); with minimum 5 years clinical experience with people with physical disabilities. OR; Currently registered Ophthalmic professional (Orthoptist, Ophthalmologist) with minimum 5 years clinical experience with people with low vision. Individuals must be based in one of the major Low Vision Centres in Australia.

Technical classifiers: Must hold a Bachelor or Master degree in sport science/ kinesiology / human movement science or other equivalent; as well as hold additional sports specific qualifications including coaching or sport specific study.

All individuals must have a strong understanding of paratriathlons.

To find out more about the classifier pathway contact the Australian Paralympic Committee via email auspara@paralympic.org.au or phone +61 2 9704 0500.

Become a Volunteer

Community sport and recreation relies on more than 1.7 million volunteer Australians each year. Triathlon is a part of this, being a sport that is heavily dependent on its volunteer base. Clubs are fully operated by volunteers, and often most major competitions rely on a vast volunteer crew to deliver an event.

As a volunteer you can choose how much time you are able to give and what sort of things you would like to do. Volunteers comprise a huge body of people who make an important social and economic contribution to triathlon in Australia.

To get involved contact your local office or Triathlon Australia

P: 8488 6200
E: info@triathlon.org.au

events

State

Please contact your state office (listed in “Who Runs The Sport” section below) for details about up-coming state and local competitions.

UPCOMING NATIONAL EVENTS

Please visit our events page for any upcoming Australian events. 

UpCOMING International EVENTS

Please visit our events page for any upcoming International events. 

WHO RUNS THE SPORT?

AUSTRALIA

Triathlon Australia
P: 8488 6200

STATE / TERRITORIES

New South Wales

Triathlon New South Wales
P: (02) 8488 6250

Queensland

Triathlon Queensland
P: (07) 3369 9600

Victoria

Triathlon Victoria
P: (03) 9598 8686

Australian Capital Territory

Triathlon ACT
P: (02) 6260 4430

Tasmania

Triathlon Tasmania
P: (03) 6234 9551

South Australia

Triathlon South Australia
P: (08) 8363 9133

Western Australia

Triathlon Western Australia
P: (08) 9443 9778

Northern Territory

Triathlon Northern Territory
P: 0477 036 350

INTERNATIONAL

International Triathlon Union
Website: http://www.triathlon.org

PARALYMPIC 

Australian Paralympic Committee
P: +61 2 9704 0500
auspara@paralympic.org.au
http://www.paralympic.org.au/

 

Get in Contact

Triathlon Australia is Australia’s Peak National Governing Body triathlons and paratriathlons in Australia. They contact number is 8488 6200 and to go to their website follow this link:
http://www.triathlon.org.au

Videos

Intro to Paratriathlon from Australian Paralympic Committee

Resources

International Rules from International Triathlon Union