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| Entries open for George’s annual wheelchair race |
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This year’s winner of the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC), Denis Lemeunier of France, is set to defend his title in George on February 20 next year and South Africa’s Olympic long jump silver medalist, Khotso Mokoena, has pledged his support for the event. Lemeunier won the men’s racing wheelchair marathon category in wet conditions in February this year. Next year he will be up against other international athletes, Kenny Herriot of Scotland and South Africa’s Ernst van Dyk who has won more Boston Marathons than any other male wheelchair athlete, currently holding eight titles. They will be part of an expected field of 500 local and international athletes to make the trip to the wheelchair-friendly city of George, which has been host city for this event since its debut seven years ago Presented by Vodacom, South Africa’s only international wheelchair road race boasts 44 categories over three distances and is open to anyone with physically disability who is able to use a mobility assistive device like a wheelchair, buggy, tricycle, racing wheelchair or handcycle. ‘We are on track for another successful event despite sponsorship difficulties and our goals remain the same,’ said event director, Esther Watson. ‘We continue to try and attract as many people with physical disability to the sport of road racing as possible, particularly youngsters and those from disadvantaged communities, because it has so many mental and physical benefits. At the same time, we are developing an event that is gaining increasing recognition on the international sporting front.’ The commentator on the day will again be Ian Laxton, the well-known voice of the Comrades Marathon. The deadline for entries is 30 January 2010. Competitors must be at least 16 years of age to enter the 42,2km marathon and the 21,1km half-marathon in a racing wheelchair or hand cycle. There is no age restriction for the 10km distance, which also allows basketball chairs, tricycles and ordinary wheelchairs. People of any age group can enter the fun event, assisted by a helper. Kempston Truck Hire will be providing transport sponsorship. Individuals and groups needing transport may apply to the event director. For more information phone event director Esther Watson on 082 421 9359. Media vrystelling: Internasionale atlete ondersteun die George rolstoel wedren Hierdie jaar se wenner van die Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC), Denis Lemeunier van Frankryk, is gereed om sy titel in George te verdedig op 20 Februarie aanstaande jaar en die Suid Afrikaanse Olimpiese verspring silwer medaljewenner, Khotso Mokoena, het sy ondersteuning aan die wedren toegesê. Lemeunier het die mans kategorie vir resiesrolstoele in sopnat kondisies gewen tydens die wedren in Februarie vanjaar. Volgende jaar gaan hy weer testaan kom teen internasionale atlete, naamlik Kenny Herriot van Skotland en Suid Afrika se Ernst van Dyk wie al meer Boston maratonne as enige ander mans rolstoelatleet ooit gewen het – huidig die houer van agt wenners titels. Hulle sal deel wees van die verwagte aantal van 500 plaaslike en nasionale deelnemers wat die jaarlikse uittog na die gestremd-vriendelike stad George, wat sedert die OCC se ontstaan sewe jaar gelede as gasheer stad optree, onderneem. Aangebied deur Vodacom, spog Suid Afrika se enigste internasionale rolstoel wedren met 44 kategorië oor drie afstande en die wedren is oop vir almal met ‘n fisiese gestremdheid wat in ‘n mobiliteitshulpmiddel moet deelneem, byvoorbeeld ‘n gewone rolstoel, “buggy” driewiel, resiesrolstoel of handfiets. ‘Ons is stewig in die saal tenspyte van die probleme rakende borgskappe en ons doelwitte bly dieselfde,’ sê wedren direkteur, Esther Watson. ‘Ons gaan voort om te poog om soveel as moontlik atlete met fisiese gestremdheid te werf wat kan deelneem aan padwedlope vir gestremdes, veral die jeug en diegene van agtergeblewe gemeenskappe. Daar is net te veel geestelike en fisiese voordele, en terselfdertyd ontwikkel die OCC as ‘n toenemende gewilde wedren op die internasionale front.’ Die immergewilde Ian Laxton, Comrades maraton kommentator, sal weereens die stem agter die wedren wees. Die sluitingsdatum vir inskrywings is 30 Januarie 2010. Deelnemers aan die 42.2km maraton en 21.1km half maraton moet tenminste 16 jaar oud wees en dié is slegs vir resiesrolstoele en hand fietse. Daar is geen ouderdomsbeperking vir die 10km wedren nie en word basketbal stoele, rugbystoele, gewone rolstoele en driewiele toegelaat. Persone van enige ouderdom kan aan die prêt ren van 5km deelneem met behulp van ‘n helper of assistent. Kempston Truck Hire sal weer optree as vervoerborg. Individue en groepe wat vervoer benodig moet by die wedren direkteur aansoek doen. Vir meer informasie skakel die wedren direkteur, Esther Watson, by 082 421 9359. |
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