Paratriathlon: the ultimate guide
With so many classifications and kit considerations, paratriathlon can seem quite complicated. That's why you need our complete guide to paratri…
World Triathlon and Paralympic paratriathlon events take place over the sprint distance, which is a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.
Like other Paralympic sports, paratriathlon is split into classes depending on an athlete’s disability. There are nine sport classes in paratriathlon that compete in six medal events:
- PTWC H1 Most impaired wheelchair users. Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment; Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to: muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis. PTWC athletes are supported by handlers when leaving the swim leg and during transition, compete on a handcycle on the bike leg and race chair on the run section of the course. H1 and H2 athletes compete in the same race, but the H1 athletes start ahead of the H2 athletes due to the severity of their impairment.
- PTWC H2 Least impaired wheelchair users. Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment; Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to: muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis. PTWC athletes are supported by handlers when leaving the swim leg and during transition, compete on a handcycle on the bike leg and race chair on the run section of the course.
- PTS2 Severe impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
- PTS3 Significant impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
- PTS4 Moderate impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
- PTS5 Mild impairments. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement.
- PTVI B1 Includes athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception in either eye, to some light perception. One guide is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment. A guide from the same nationality and gender is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.
- PTVI B2 Includes athletes who are more severe partially sighted athletes. One guide is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment. A guide from the same nationality and gender is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.
- PTVI B3 Includes athletes who are less severe partially sighted athletes. One guide is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment. A guide from the same nationality and gender is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.
Both PTWC H1 and PTWC H2 classes compete in the same PTWC Medal Event. All the ambulant classes (PTS2-PTS5) compete in their own individual medal events and the three visual impaired classes (PTVI B1, PTVI B2 and PTVI B3) compete into the PTVI medal event.
Liz Barrett
220 Deputy Editor 
