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Wheels for a Day Monday 9 November 2009 in Martin Place

Wheels for a Day is ParaQuad NSW’s annual feature event of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, and is integral in raising awareness to understand the challenges faced by wheelchairs users when carrying out everyday activities. 

A range of ex-sports stars, media personalities, entertainers and business leaders to take to the pavement in wheelchairs, going through an ‘obstacle course’ of day-to-day activities including boarding a bus, buying a cup of coffee, using an ATM and entering a doorway.

• Spinal cord injury can affect anyone at anytime of their life
• It is estimated that around 10,000 people in Australia live with a spinal cord injury
• Between 300-400 new injures are reported each year
• After a spinal cord injury, it may take a year or more before the person can leave hospital and return to the community

Wheels for a Day is proudly supported by Westpac, NCR, State Transit Authority, Disability Council of NSW and Northcott Disability Services.

For more information visit the ParaQuad NSW website.

Fearnley aims for four straight in New York Marathon

Australian wheelchair champion Kurt Fearnley will attempt to win his fourth straight New York Marathon this Sunday.

Fearnley comes into the race on an eight marathon winning streak stretching back to May last year, including five victories in 2009.

The New York race will feature the strongest field since last year's Beijing Paralympic games, a race Fearnley won in a photo finish.

Fearnley will be joined on the start line by athletes from more than a dozen countries, including four former New York winners, and giants of wheelchair sport, Ernst van Dyk of South Africa and world-record holder Heinz Frei of Switzerland.

He heads into the race with nervous excitement and is looking forward to making his way along the familiar New York city course.

"This year feels a bit different, I'm more excited about the race than I have been for a long time, but also more nervous" Fearnley said.

"This race consistently attracts the strongest field in our sport, and no one has won four in a row. I'd love to be the first but I'll be racing with a big target on my back" he added.

Also joining the strong international field is the only man to finish ahead of Fearnley twice over the marathon distance in the last four years, Englishman David Weir.

"Dave doesn't race a lot of marathons, but when he does he's always around the front. He hasn't raced in New York for a couple of years and is in great form so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out. Whenever we race, on the track or on the road, it's tight".

"I call our battles the Ashes of wheelchair sport, always close, often controversial, fought with a good spirit on the field and a respectful congratulations at the end. After the cricket boys lost in England I'm keen to get one up on the Poms" Fearnley added with a grin.

If Sunday's race goes according to Fearnley's plan, the field will see the target clearly on his back with a fast start and early lead the backbone of previous wins, including his 2006 course record.

"The course travels through the five boroughs of New York and the biggest climb comes in the first five kilometres when we cross the bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn.

I'm one of the lighter athletes and climbing is a strength, so getting off to a good clean start and over the rise quickly sets a good foundation for the race. Even if I'm not in front, to break the big boys with a bit of speed early on always helps".

A win in New York would round out a perfect year for Fearnley after marathon wins in Paris, London, Seoul, Sydney and Chicago.

For more information on Fearnley in New York contact Michael Turner by email michael@kurtfearnley.com or phone +61 438 116 100

Register your event now open

If you, your organisation or club are planning to host an event to celebrate International Day of People with a Disability, then why not have it promoted through the Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign!

The Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign is a NSW Government initiative celebrated throughout NSW in November and December each year and its message reaches millions of people worldwide.

Your event will be promoted on the Don’t DIS my ABILITY website event listing from Monday 2 November 2009.

Register your event details and be a part of the Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign.

If you would like more information contact us on 02 8270 2459.