Para-triathletes shine at CAF World Para-triathlon San Diego

Nearly 50 triathletes open the road to the 2016 Paralympic Games. 22 Apr 2013

A picture of a man with one prosthesis running and crossing a finish line

Mark Barr is the world number one in the men's PTS2 category

ⒸPaul Phillips/Competitive Image

By IPC

"What I see is the numbers have doubled in the past two years, so I think what's happening is we're starting to get some of those really elite athletes from other sports and disciplines like Paralympic swimming, Paralympic cycling. As a result, we're seeing our competition really take a big jump, which I think we all wanted. It's really a fantastic time to be in para-triathlon."

Nearly 50 para-triathletes from five different countries participated in the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) World Para-triathlon San Diego on Saturday (20 April), the first of three international para-triathlon races offered by the International Triathlon Union in 2013.

The race helps to set the stage for athletes who already have their sights set on Rio 2016, where para-triathlon will make its debut on the Paralympic programme.

"I love that our sport is starting to get a little more credibility," said USA’s Patricia Walsh, who finished in 1:19:16 in the TRI-6a category.

"What I see is the numbers have doubled in the past two years, so I think what's happening is we're starting to get some of those really elite athletes from other sports and disciplines like Paralympic swimming, Paralympic cycling. As a result, we're seeing our competition really take a big jump, which I think we all wanted. It's really a fantastic time to be in para-triathlon."

In the men’s TRI-6b USA’s Aaron Scheidies had the fastest time of 1:04:01, beating Irelands Nicolas Dewalque (1:34:18). Scheidies had just finished the Boston Marathon on Monday before jumping into his first multi-sport event in San Diego.

He is one of several athletes who are starting to shift their focus to triathlon, with the USA Para-triathlon National Championships set for late May and the ITU Para-triathlon World Championships in London in September.

"It's good to be back," Scheidies said of his return to triathlon. "It's good to race on the para-triathlon circuit, and it's a good start on the road to Rio."

USA also dominated the women’s TRI-5 race with Megan Fisher (1:23:01) taking gold.

The men’s TRI-5 was very competitive with Brazil’s Marcelo Mauro taking gold in 1:11:28. USA’s Michael Johnston came second in 1:12:02, whilst his teammate Tommy Koehler took bronze in 1:12:55.

Other US race winners included Tisa Cawthon (1:40:00) in the women’s TRI-4 and Chris Hammer (1:07:15) in the men’s TRI-4, as well as and David Kyle (1:16:29) in the men’s TRI-3. In the TRI-1 category, USA’s Erica Davis took gold in 1:43:03 and Puerto Rico’s Geoffrey Kennedy had the winning time of 1:06:26

USA’s Mark Barr took gold in 1:20:11 in the men’s TRI-2, beating Morocco’s Mohamed Lahna (1:23:50) and USA’s Matt Perkins (1:34:06).

"If it weren't for Challenged Athletes Foundation, para-triathlon wouldn't be where it's at today," Mark Barr said of the Title Sponsors of the race. Barr is also a member of CAF’s new elite para-triathlon team

Over the past 20 years, CAF has raised more than USD 40 million and satisfied close to 7,000 funding requests from physically challenged athletes.

"They're really pushing para-triathlon to the next level, so it's a huge honour to be on the elite team and I hope to represent them well."

Jim MacLaren, who was inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame on Thursday, was the inspiration for the beginnings of CAF, and the organisation continues to provide support to athletes who hope to break into sport instead of sitting on the side-lines.

USA’s Melissa Stockwell finished first in the women’s TRI-2 race in 1:35:37, with teammates Jennifer Clark (1:43:36) and Sarah Reinersten (1:49:21) finishing second and third respectively.

"CAF was really born out of triathlon because of one man, one triathlete who was injured," said Reinertsen of Mission Viejo, California, who has been competing in para-triathlon for 10 years.

"This is such a great stage to show Californians, to show Americans, to show the world what para-triathletes can do."