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CapTexTri to serve as paratriathlon national championships
It’s hard enough to run a triathlon without a physical challenge. But consider what athletes like Melissa Stockwell, the two-time world champion in paratriathlon, face when they line up for a race.
Stockwell, who lost one of her legs in a roadside blast while serving with the military in Iraq in 2004, stopped by Austin this week, to check on the course for the 2012 Capitol of Texas Triathlon. For the first time, the Austin event will serve as the 2012 U.S. Para Triathlon National Championships.
It’s a big deal. Top finishers in the event, a sprint-distance race with a 750-meter swim, 25K bike and 5K run, will represent USA Triathlon’s Team USA at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.
“It looks like it’ll be a good course,” Stockwell said after driving the route. “They’ve addressed a lot of issues that amputees, wheelchair athletes and visually impaired athletes have to deal with. Accessibility is the biggest issue. You have athletes who are paraplegics, so they have to figure out how all of us can get out of water, up over curbs and stairs.”
Stockwell uses an activity-specific artificial leg when she competes.
Paratriathlon is seeing a surge in interest, because it will be included for the first time at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“A lot of men and women are coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq, they’re young and want to be involved in the sport,” Stockwell says.
Race director Rick Margiotta says landing the national championship puts the Austin race — which includes pro and age group events in Olympic, sprint and first timer distances — on a bigger stage. He expects about 100 paratriathletes to enter.
“It’s absolutely inspiring,” Margiotta says.
The paratriathlon national championships have been held in New York City the past two years. The topography of the Austin race is similar, but the setting is different.
“It may sound funny, but our course is more urban,” Margiotta says. “Even though they run around Central Park, they go out on a highway along the Hudson River. They’re on open roads where we’re up and down Congress Avenue and Cesar Chavez.”
The Capitol of Texas Triathlon is scheduled for May 28, 2012 at Auditorium Shores. A Kid’s Run and Doggie Du Dash are also part of the lineup. Last year nearly 2,500 people participated.
This year’s race will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Entry for all paratriathletes is free.
Registration is open here.
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