USA Triathlon Announces 2024 Paratriathlon National Championships and USA Paratriathlon Development Race Series Dates and Locations

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon today announced the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon National Championships will be held on June 23 at the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. For the fifth consecutive year, a professional prize purse will be offered to athletes who medal at the USA Paratriathlon National Championships. The $20,000 total purse, provided equally in partnership by USA Triathlon and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, will be presented to the podium finishers in each para class.

USA Triathlon, with support from World Triathlon and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, 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 here in the U.S. as we head into Paris 2024 and toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.”

The Pleasant Prairie Triathlon has long been a para-friendly USA Triathlon Sanctioned Race, twice hosting the Paratriathlon National Championships in 2017 and 2018. The 2024 Paratriathlon National Championships return to the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon, which starts and finishes in the picturesque setting of Prairie Springs Park. Lake Andrea, a sparkling 100-acre spring-fed lake serves as the swim venue.

“Race Day Events is excited to continue working with USA Triathlon, Dare2Tri and the Village of Pleasant Prairie to bring another amazing paratriathlon event to the Rec Plex,” said Ryan Griessmeyer of Race Day Events. “The Paratriathlon National Championships allows us to showcase our high level of multisport event production Race Day Events is known for.”

USA Triathlon today also announced the dates and locations for the five events included in the 2024 Paratriathlon Development Series:

• May 18: IM ABLE Foundation's Got the Nerve? Triathlon – Mt. Gretna, Pa.
• May 19: Lago Mar Triathlon – Texas City, Texas
• June 2: Leon's Triathlon - Hammond, Ind.
• June 23: Paratriathlon National Championships - Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
• Aug. 25: MOJO Triathlon - West Chester, Ohio.

The 2024 Paratriathlon Development Series provides competitive race opportunities in the U.S. for the nation’s emerging paratriathletes who aspire to compete at the elite level and in future Paralympic Games. Participants in the series will be able to gain experience racing at the national level, and qualify for the 2024 and 2025 USA Triathlon Paratriathlon National Championships. Strong performances will earn consideration for the U.S. Paratriathlon Development Team.

All races will be sprint-distance, covering a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run. Athletes must have a USA Triathlon membership and be classified in a paratriathlon sport class, or have been given a provisional classification. Athletes who are not currently nationally or internationally classified but are interested in competing may email paratriathlon@usatriathlon.org for more information about getting a provisional classification.

To learn more and to get involved with USA Triathlon’s grassroots and elite paratriathlon programming and recruitment, visit usaparatriathon.org or email paratriathlon@usatriathlon.org.

About The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF)

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) stands as a global leader in empowering individuals with physical disabilities to embrace vibrant, active lives. CAF firmly believes that engaging in physical activity fosters self-esteem, encourages independence, and enriches the quality of life. For three transformative decades, CAF has been at the forefront of the adaptive sports movement, catalyzing change, and redefining possibilities. Since its inception in 1994, CAF has raised over $178 million and fulfilled 48,000 funding requests from people with physical disabilities across all 50 states and more than 73 countries, impacting another 60,000 individuals annually through its outreach efforts. From providing essential equipment like handcycles to offering mentorship and encouragement, CAF's mission is clear: to provide opportunities and support to those who aspire to lead active, athletic lifestyles. To learn more, please visit www.challengedathletes.org

About USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.