The Devonport Triathlon will feature up to 60 of the world’s best paratriathletes after the event was selected to host round one of the Paratriathlon World Cup on February 17.
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The Devonport event becomes one of six of its kind on the world cup calendar, with News Orleans and Sarasota in the US, Spain, France and the United Kingdom hosting the other five rounds.
Race director Michael Bonney said the event would be a sight to behold with the quality of paratriathletes competing.
“The Paratriathletes are so inspiring, I wanted to do something to really showcase that element of the event and now we have the first world cup of the year,’’ he said.
“There are a range a classifications that will compete, including amputees who are amazing, particularly in transition and the visually impaired, who often require a guide.”
Bonney said it was a long process for the Devonport Triathlon to be selected to host the world cup round and its history helped them receive the honour.
“We had to put a submission to Triathlon Australia which they supplemented and sent it onto the International Triathlon Union.
“We have held a paratriathlon event over the last two years and saw growth from 15 Australian competitors in the first year to 20 for the second year.
“We have got a really strong tradition and the Devonport Triathlon is a well respected race in Australia, which is one of the reasons we’ve been given this status.”
The paratriathlon will be run over the same sprint distance course as the elite, kids and community triathlons.
It will include a 750 metre swim, 20 kilometre hand cycle or bike ride and a five kilometre run taking in the tradition course of the Devonport Triathlon along the Mersey Bluffs and finishing at the Devonport Surf Club.