Chch Airport Marathon features elite wheelchair athletes

27 April 2012

Christchurch Airport Marathon features elite wheelchair athletes

Christchurch City Council announced today that two elite wheelchair athletes will compete in the new Christchurch Airport Marathon course on Sunday 3 June 2012.

Ben Lucas, who competed in wheelchair racing at two Paralympic Games and was awarded the Bronze Medal for the wheelchair marathon at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, is coming out of retirement to take on the Christchurch Airport Marathon 10 kilometre wheelchair event.

Matthew Lack, a rising star in New Zealand wheelchair racing has also signed up to compete in the 10 kilometre wheelchair event. At the age of 20, Matthew already holds a number of New Zealand records and he hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games in London later this year.

Council Recreation and Sports Unit Manager John Filsell says this year is all about getting people, who haven’t participated in marathon events in the past, to give it a go.

“Having elite wheelchair athletes like Ben and Matthew competing shows that the event is for people of all abilities. They are world class athletes and it’s very exciting to have them involved in this event,” he says.

Sign up for a Christchurch Airport marathon event at any Council recreation and sports centre by Friday 4 May. After this date you can sign up online and a late entry fee will apply.

Visit www.christchurchmarathon.co.nz for more information.

Entry fees (entry received by midnight, Friday 4 May):
• Full marathon run / wheelchair - $80
• Half marathon run / walk / wheelchair - $65
• 10 kilometre run / walk / wheelchair - $35
• Three kilometre Kids’ Mara’Fun - $15

ENDS

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