UK’s first ever disability inclusive off road race has been created after competitors were turned away from other races.
Chris Nicholson, who has pushed his way to the top of Snowdon in his wheelchair, has joined event organisers OMM to setup the first ever able bodied & disabled inclusive trail race in the UK at Cannock Chase on the 6th May.
Alistaire from OMM said “it’s up to us to set the challenge, not decide whether a person can do it or not. We will welcome anyone who thinks they can complete the 10km trail course.”
500 able bodied & disabled competitors will line up together. The race is so unique that representatives from Guinness World Records will create a new Trail Race category for the Wheelchair Class within the race.
With support for the event also coming from Paralympians, Invictus athletes & military charities, the hope is the race will lead to new opportunities for disabled competitors in the future.
Chris, who has help set the course, said “We wanted everyone to have the same challenge. The race is unique, the route has not been altered in any way to make it easier for any particular competitor, this is to be a true test of everyone’s grit and determination.”
Chris is also hoping to break the amateur wheelchair record in this year’s London Marathon while raising money for the Matt Hampson Foundation. “I need mud, rock & countryside. I looked around for a trail race I could take part in but all the event organisers I spoke to said they couldn’t cater for disabled athletes.”
The 10km inclusive trail race will be part of the OMM Running Festival on the muddy forest tracks at Cannock Chase on the 6th May.
Entries are welcome to anyone who would like to take part.
For more, visit theomm.com/omm-festival
