JUL 2026 Move United: The Hartford Nationals (Michigan)

Move United, the national leader in community-based sports and recreation for individuals with disabilities, will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the 69th Annual The Hartford Nationals. This annual event includes adults and youth athletes with a physical, visual, and/or intellectual disability.

Sports: Swimming, Track & Field, Triathlon/Aquathon
(+Archery, Boccia, Powerlifting, Shooting)

New in 2026!  Athletes Without Limits is excited to share that Move United Nationals (an annual multi-sport event) is now open to athletes in all three Virtus Eligibility Groups:

Virtus II1-Intellectual Disability (Move United: Swim S14, Track & Field T/F20, Triathlon MU91)
Virtus II2-Down Syndrome (Move United: Swim S18, Track & Field T/F22, Triathlon MU91)
Virtus II3-Autism+ (Move United: Swim S19, Track & Field T/F23, Triathlon MU91)

New Athlete Eligibility:
New athletes with Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome and Autism can apply for Virtus Eligibility through Atheltes Without Limits Athlete Eligibility Page. This process is used instead of classification appointments at the event (which are only intended for athletes with Physical or Visual impairments.)

Overall Schedule & Venues:
Opening Ceremony July 10th – Closing Ceremony July 16th
https://moveunitedsport.org/events/nationals/event-schedule-and-venues/

Registration:
Athletes with National or International Virtus Eligibility should register and make their own arrangements to compete directly from the Move United Website: https://moveunitedsport.org/events/nationals/

MQS & ENTRY DETAILS BY SPORT

• Swimming

  Swimming (Short Course & Long Course)
  Classes by Virtus Group offered at Move United Events:
  S14 for Virtus II1 – Intellectual Disability (Autism with Intellectual Disability)
  S18 for Virtus II2 – Intellectual Disability and Down Syndrome
  S19 for Virtus II3 – Autism+

  Swimming Schedule July 14-16th: 

  July 14: Swim Practice, July 15-16: Swim Competition

  Swimming How to Qualify:(from Move United Nationals Eligibility Page)
  Athletes have from August 1, 2025 until the close of Nationals registration to meet the qualifying standards posted at the link below. These can be met at the following:
  A. Participating in a Move United/ATFUSA sanctioned  swim meet
  B. Participating in a USA Swimming meet, YMCA meet, High School meet, NCAA meet, U.S. Paralympics Swimming meet, and/or World Para Swimming meet and reporting official results through a proof of performance form.

  Swimming Qualification Times (for S14/S18/S19):
  1. Here is the PDF with Notes: 2026-The-Hartford-Nationals-Swimming-Qualifying-Standards with Virtus Notes (PDF)
  2. For questions refer to the Move United Nationals Qualifying Page – Scroll to Swimming)
  
  Note to swimmers – there is also an Aquathon (outdoor swim and run) at this event! 

• Track & Field

  Track & Field

  Track & Field Classes by Virtus Group offered at Move United Events:
  T20/F20 for Virtus II1 – Intellectual Disability (Autism with Intellectual Disability)
  T22/F22 for Virtus II2 – Intellectual Disability and Down Syndrome
  T23/F23 for Virtus II3 – Autism+

  Track & Field Schedule July 10-12th:
  July 10: Track Practice
  July 11-12: Track Competition

  Track & Field How to Qualify:(from Move United Nationals Eligibility Page)
  Athletes have from August 1, 2025 until the close of Nationals registration to meet the qualifying standards posted at the link below. These can be met at the following:
A. Participating in a Move United/ATFUSA sanctioned track and field meet
B. Participating in a USA Swimming, YMCA, NCAA, and/or high school sanctioned swim meet and reporting official results via a proof of performance form.

  Track & Field Qualification Times (for T20, T22, T23):
  1. First Read the Move United Nationals Qualifying Page – Scroll to Track & Field)
  2.Then Read the 2026 Track & Field Qualifying Standards for Move United The Hartford Nationals

• Triathlon & Aquathon

  Triathlon (Swim/Bike/Run) or Aquathon (Swim/Run)
  Classes by Virtus Group offered at Move United Events:
  MU91 for Virtus II1 – Intellectual Disability (Autism with Intellectual Disability)
  MU91 for Virtus II2 – Intellectual Disability and Down Syndrome
  MU91 for Virtus II3 – Autism+
  Can be individual or relay team.
All athletes must travel with the appropriate equipment.

  ParaTriathlon & Aquathon Schedule July 13-14th:
  July 13th: Course Preview for Triathlon/Aquathon
  July 14th: Triathlon/Aquathon Competition

  ParaTriathlon & Aquathon Distances:
  *The swim and run distances will be the same for the ParaTriathlon and the Aquathlon.
  Youth Distance – 100 yard swim, 3 mile bike, 0.5 mile run
  Junior Distance – 200 yard swim, 6 mile bike, 1 mile run
  Adult Distance – 400 yard swim, 6 mile bike, 1.5 mile run
  Relay Distance – 200 yard swim, 6 mile bike, 1 mile run

  ParaTriathlon & Aquathon How to Qualify: (from Move United Nationals Eligibility Page)
  Athletes have from August 1, 2025 until the close of Nationals registration to meet the qualifying standards posted below. Athletes may qualify at a community triathlon or may qualify by achieving the swim and run standards for their age group/classification at a Move United Sanctioned competition or from a community triathlon.

  ParaTriathlon & Aquathon Qualifying Criteria (for MU91):
  1. First Read the Move United Nationals Qualifying Page – Scroll to ParaTriathlon
  2. Qualify using the swim & run standards in the link below [whether you are doing the Triathlon or Aquathon] 3. Then Read the PDF: 2026 Triathlon Qualifying Standards for Move United The Hartford Nationals (PDF)