The 2023 World Triathlon Para Series returns to Swansea for its second year on Saturday 15 July following its successful debut in 2022.
The Prince of Wales Dock and SA1 Waterfront will host a unique festival of swim, bike, run for first-time participants, developing athletes and elite racers as the World Triathlon Para Series Swansea opens up inclusive participation opportunities for people with disabilities.
This event plays an integral role in British Triathlon’s ‘Everyone Starts Somewhere’ campaign which aims to encourage disabled people to take part on 15 July in whatever ways they are most comfortable. The focus is to provide support and a safe environment for individuals to get involved and to achieve their goals, whatever those may be.
There are two ways that people can take part: ‘Splash & Dash’ and ‘British Paratri Super Series’. Splash & Dash is a participation focused swim-run activity which enables anyone to take part in the experience. This can be simply dipping your toe in the water or making a splash before the 300m run on dry land to the finish line. Participants can get involved in whatever way they feel comfortable, knowing that British Triathlon’s expert team will be on hand to provide support.
British Paratri Super Series is a 400m swim, 10km bike, 2.5km run for individuals with or without a sporting classification who want to take part in a full triathlon, either to complete it or compete in it. British Triathlon is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 28 June at 18:00 where interested participants can hear more about the event and ask the race organisers any questions.
What makes this event truly special is that participants of either the Splash & Dash or British Paratri Super Series will compete in the same arena as the world’s best paratriathletes as they race for crucial qualification points for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games which take place from 28 August to 8 September 2024.
Five-time Paralympian Claire Cashmore is looking to retain her title in the PTS5 category in Swansea next month and hopes the event can build on last year’s successful foundations.
She said: “As it was a standalone event, we did a really good job for the first year and it was great to see it all come to fruition.
“I can’t wait for it to be even bigger and better this year, to get more of a crowd and more para-athletes involved.
“Triathlon across the board is great because you’ll have events where you’ll get a 90-year-old competing against a 12-year-old and the elites that have been to the Olympics.
“I just really like that everybody is in that one arena and competing at the same event because it makes it much more accessible and a real community.
“For Swansea and British Triathlon to take this onboard, it shows their passion for para sport and their passion to raise the profile of paratriathlon.”
The 2023 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea also headlines the Para Sport Festival Swansea which is held from 10-16 July. The one-of-a-kind event combines competitive para sport events across a number of sports in collaboration with National Governing Bodies, alongside inclusive participation opportunities for those with disabilities.
