USA Triathlon and Challenged Athletes Foundation Commit to Professional Prize Purse for a Third Year at USA Paratriathlon Nationals

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Triathlon, in partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), announced that for the third year a professional prize purse with be offered to athletes who medal at the USA Paratriathlon National Championships. The $20,000 total purse, provided equally by USA Triathlon and CAF, will be presented to the podium finishers in each class.

The National Championships will be held September 10, in Williamsburg, Virginia in conjunction with the Patriots Triathlon Festival. The course takes place alongside Jamestown Beach and winds through historic farmland and forest on a combination of bike paths and jogging trails. Athletes will compete for national titles in six paratriathlon sport classes.

National champions will receive $700 each, runners-up will receive $500, and third-place finishers will receive $250. Sighted guides competing alongside athletes with visual impairments will also receive equivalent winnings.

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 as we head into Paris 2024 and towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.”

"Partnering with USA Triathlon to provide the prize purse for the USA Paratriathlon National Championships is a testament to our continuing commitment of helping athletes achieve their dreams,” said Bob Babbitt, co-founder of Challenged Athletes Foundation. “As we celebrate our 30^th anniversary this year, we are dedicated to empowering individuals with physical challenges to lead active lives. CAF is honored to contribute to advancing paratriathlon nationally and globally."

Prize purse recipients must hold a current paratriathlete or elite paratriathlete USA Triathlon membership valid through September 10. In addition, they must either be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National to be able to represent the United States at World Triathlon competitions immediately.

For more information about the USA Paratriathlon National Championships, qualification standards and development pathways, visit: https://www.usatriathlon.org/elite-paratriathlon-development.

The Patriots Triathlon Festival runs Sept. 9 and 10 and also includes Long Course, Olympic and Sprint triathlons, Relay, and Aquabike.

About the Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.  Since 1994, more than $159 million has been raised and over 44,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts impact another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles. To learn more, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

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 4,000 races and connects with more than 400,000 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 Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).