Tri Santa Cruz to Host 2016 USA Paratriathlon National Championships

The 2016 USA Paratriathlon National Championships will take place Aug. 14 in Santa Cruz, California, in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Tri Santa Cruz.

National titles will be up for grabs in five sport classes, and athletes will compete on a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run course at Cowell Beach and Depot Park. The event will likely feature members of the U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Team in their final competition before the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympic Games, where triathlon will make its debut on Sept. 10-11.

In addition to chasing national titles, athletes may also qualify for the USA Paratriathlon Development Team Program, meant to identify and develop athletic potential leading toward the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. More information on the USA Paratriathlon Development Team Program is available at usatriathlon.org (PDF).

"We are incredibly excited to move this event to Santa Cruz, California, and Tri Santa Cruz in 2016," said Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Paratriathlon Program Manager. "Tri Santa Cruz is a long-standing event and paratriathletes have been supported by race management for nearly 10 years. This event will showcase some of our nation's best paratriathletes, whether up-and-coming stars or world-ranked athletes heading to Rio for their Paralympic Games debut."

Athletes wishing to compete in the 2016 USA Paratriathlon National Championships must be officially classified and must have completed a USA Triathlon or ITU Sanctioned Event that meets distance and time standards between May 1, 2015, and July 17, 2016. Athletes who are not classified or do not meet the time standards may choose to race in the PC Open division. A National Classification opportunity will be offered in Santa Cruz prior to the event. Complete details on qualification standards and the link to register are available at usatriathlon.org.

For more information on USA Paratriathlon and its grassroots, military and elite programming, visit usaparatriathlon.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 and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with nearly 500,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).