Ironman Announces Additional Paratriathlon Chances Within 70.3 Series

World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owner and organizer of the Ironman & Ironman70.3 Event Series, announces a lottery for paratriathletes who wish to compete in the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, Presented by Ford. Also new for this year, the Buffalo Springs Lake Ironman 70.3 and Ironman 70.3 Antwerp events will now serve as official 70.3 World Championship qualifiers for handcycle (HC) athletes. Each race will include 3 slots; 2 for males and 1 for females. Both the lottery and handcycle qualifying opportunities are consistent with programs in place for the Ford Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
“Given the growth of the 70.3 Series and participation by the paratriathlete community, Ironman recognizes the need to implement a Paratriathlon Lottery for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3,” said Joanna Meyers, event director. “This program demonstrates our ongoing commitment to offer more opportunities to paratriathletes.”

Athlete selection for the lottery program will come from applicants worldwide who fit one of Ironman’s official paratriathlon competition categories:

Lower Extremity – This includes above or below-the-knee amputees, in which a standard bicycle is used, and run with prosthesis or crutches.

Wheelchair One – This division consists of single above-the-knee amputees or below-the-knee amputees who ride a standard bicycle, but use a racing wheelchair on the run.

Wheelchair Two – This division consists of athletes who have double above-the-knee or below-the-knee amputation. These athletes ride a standard bicycle and use a racing wheelchair on the run.

Upper Extremity – This is an athlete who has one arm or both arm(s) amputated above or below the elbow, in which they will use prosthesis on the bike.

Visually Impaired – This is for athletes who are legally blind, 20/200 with best-corrected vision and require a guide throughout the race.

The Lottery is now open and available for entry. Those interested must apply by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Saturday, May 15, with five winning entries being announced on Thursday, June 1, at noon EDT. The cost to enter the Paratriathlon Lottery is $30 USD. If selected, athletes must pay the $325 USD entry fee for the 70.3 championship, whichtakes place on Nov. 13 in Clearwater, Fla. Applicants are required to submit a medical description of physical disability and a letter from a primary care physician validating their fitness and ability to meet the demands of the event. Athletes selected in the lottery will be notified via e-mail and must complete a 70.3 or other long-distance event by Sept. 26 to validate their lottery slot. All validating information must be e-mailed to Lottery@ironman.com no later than Sept. 30. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the lottery slot. Ironman has contracted an independent accounting firm to supervise and certify the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 Paratriathlon Lottery.

Handcycle athletes interested in qualifying at either Buffalo Springs Lake Ironman 70.3 or Ironman 70.3 Antwerp must be paraplegic, quadriplegic or double above-the-knee amputees, and race using a hand-cranked cycle on the bike segment and a racing chair for the run segment.

For more information on Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Event Series, see www.ironman.com. All athlete-related inquiries can be directed to Lottery@ironman.com.

From Ironman.com

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