In my experience, triathletes are a pretty crazy lot and paratriathletes are apparently no different. Putting yourself through a gruelling trio of lake swimming, cycling and running takes a pretty special sort of character! Paratriathletes have missing limbs, paraplegia, visual impairments (the VI competitors have to run with blacked out goggles) and other physical disabilities. The distances raced equal regular triathlons and a fascinating variety of prostheses, handcycles, racing wheelchairs and other equipment are used.
I took part in my first International Paratriathlon in Hyde Park last weekend in a GB trisuit! The super sprint (the shortest discipline: 400m swim in the Serpentine, 10km bike, 3.5km run) took me over 48 minutes to complete although I was pleased to get bronze behind European Champion, Jane Egan and to finish only 3:47 off gold. A little frustrated however that it took over 3 minutes to get out of my wetsuit and on the bike! The fastest elite man, Hiffler finished in 32:16 for France and team GB won 3 Gold 5 Silver 1 Bronze medals!
The paratriatletes are an inspirational, welcoming and encouraging lot, if a little insane! Paratriathlon aims to become a Paralympic Event in Rio in 2016 and if anyone deserves it they do!
Click on the title for more info and paratri video.
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