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Ironman Announces Physically Challenged Open Division Drawing for 2016

Alex Zinardi
Alex Zanardi

Earlier today, Ironman announced a new feature of the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 World Championships. There will be a new physically challenged open/exhibition draw for each of the two world championship events in 2016.

Free registration is available as of today.

This initiative seeks to further the mission of Ironman co-founders, John and Judy Collins, to give athletes of all abilities a shot at racing at the two prestigious events. Five physically-challenged athletes from around the world will be drawn for the 2016 Ironman World Championship in Kona and three for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

This division is open to any athlete with a medically verified physical, visual, or neurological impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Athlete must validate their entry for the 2016 Ironman World Championship by competing in an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event between October 10th, 2015 and August 21st, 2016. For the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, they have to do so between August 30, 2015 and July 3, 2016.

Ironman has had similar programs in the past. In 2010, they announced a lottery for paratriathletes who wished to participate in the 2010 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Free registration for both drawings will close on March 15, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced in early April on the Ironman website.