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USA Triathlon Foundation Announces Jarrett Sepulveda Paratriathlon Prize Purse, Named After Donors Who Committed to Fully Fund the USA Paratriathlon National Championships Prize Purse Through 2029

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by USA Triathlon Foundation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The USA Triathlon Foundation today announced a multi-year gift from longtime Age Group Team USA members and Foundation supporters Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda and Lamar Sepulveda that will fully fund the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon National Championships Prize Purse through 2029. In recognition, the prize purse will be named the Jarrett Sepulveda Paratriathlon Prize Purse, beginning with the 2026 season. 

The commitment reinforces the USA Triathlon Foundation’s effort to grow the sport while ensuring elite paratriathletes receive recognition on the national stage. With limited opportunities globally for paratriathletes to compete for prize money, the fully funded prize purse creates a meaningful chance for athletes to race for financial awards on home soil, while strengthening the United States’ leadership in elevating elite para competition. 

USA Triathon Foundation Trustee and Ambassador Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda, and six-time Ironman Lamar Sepulveda have been active in the Southern California and National multisport communities for more than two decades as athletes, volunteers and donors. Both are multi-year Age Group Team USA World Championship competitors in triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon, and share a passion for supporting adaptive sports. 

“Paratriathlon represents everything we love about multisport —determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence,” said Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda and Lamar Sepulveda. “We are proud to support these incredible athletes and to help ensure that paratriathletes receive the recognition and visibility they deserve at the national championship level. Our hope is that this commitment not only honors today’s competitors but also inspires future athletes to see a place for themselves in our sport.” 

“This historic gift marks the first time donors have named and funded a paratriathlon prize purse through philanthropy,” said Jason Rizzi, Chief Development Officer for the Foundation. “It also signals a powerful way forward—through individuals stepping up to elevate our athletes and unlock new levels of performance and opportunity. In honor of Rosalind and Lamar’s generosity, beginning in 2026 the Jarrett Sepulveda Paratriathlon Prize Purse will provide a fully funded national championship prize purse for the next four years—supporting competitive excellence while continuing to grow and elevate paratriathlon across the United States.” 

The 2026 USA Paratriathlon National Championships will be held at 2026 USA Triathlon Nationals, Aug. 7–9, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. USA Triathlon’s largest National Championship event includes the Sprint and Olympic-Distance National Championships and Paratriathlon National Championships, creating an inclusive, world-class racing environment that brings together athletes of all abilities for a shared championship experience.  

Paratriathletes will compete for national titles on Sunday, Aug. 9 across six classifications. Under the Jarrett Sepulveda Paratriathlon Prize Purse, the top three finishers in each classification will be awarded prize money and sighted guides competing alongside athletes with visual impairments will receive equivalent prize money.  

“This commitment is a major step forward for paratriathlon in the U.S.,” said Scott Schnitzspahn, USA Triathlon High Performance General Manager. “A fully funded prize purse helps elevate the sport, expand awareness, and create meaningful opportunities for American paratriathletes.” 

The announcement builds on growing momentum within the paratriathlon community.  Registration for the 2025 Paratriathlon National Championships reached its highest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic, with 79 adaptive, paratriathlon, and sighted guide athletes registered to compete in Milwaukee — a 75% increase over 2024. 

The 2025 Paratriathlon National Championships were ultimately canceled due to an unprecedented weather event in Milwaukee that resulted in a county-wide state of emergency.  

USA Triathlon recognized the significant time, training, and financial commitment athletes made in preparing for the event and, in response, awarded $500 to all registered paratriathlon athletes and eligible sighted guides who were slated to compete for national titles and a prize purse. 

To learn more about Paratriathlon, click here. If you want to learn more about supporting our paratriathlon goals, please contact info@usatriathlonfoundation.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. 

About the USA Triathlon Foundation    

The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the Foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants that advance the Foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire Pathways to Access and Inclusion; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams. Since the Foundation was established in 2014, it has impacted the lives of thousands by providing grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to create a healthier United States through triathlon. To learn more about the Foundation and get involved, please visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.