by Larry EderThe Virgin London Marathon continues to lead by example, here is an announcement for the IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup, to be held in conjunction and association with the 2013 Virgin London Marathon.
IPC ATHLETICS MARATHON WORLD CUP IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE 2013 VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON ANNOUNCED
IPC ATHLETICS and the Virgin London Marathon are very pleased to announce the IPC ATHLETICS Marathon World Cup to be held in next year’s 2013 Virgin London Marathon, which takes place on Sunday April 21st 2013.
This new event will feature IPC ATHLETICS CLASSES T42 -T46, and T11 – T13 athletes, for both men and women.
Hugh Brasher, race director of the Virgin London Marathon said; “We are delighted to have the opportunity to further develop events within marathon running, especially after the amazing exploits of our athletes over the last 10 days”.
“It was superb to have our 2012 London Marathon wheelchair champions David Weir and Shelly Woods bring home gold and silver in the T54 London 2012 Paralympic Games marathons and this will be a great legacy from London 2012”.
“Over the next five years, in the lead up to the World Championships in London in 2017, we feel we can really work with IPC Athletics to improve standards and help develop the sport of elite marathon running within these classes. We believe this is a natural progression from the work we have done within elite wheelchair marathon racing”.
Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of IPC Athletics said; “This is fantastic news and I would like to thank the organisers for their support, the profile of para-marathon running will be increased by this partnership and I look forward to the first event next year”.
For all of the latest information on the Virgin London Marathon, please go to: http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com
And IPC Athletics – IPC Athletics – Ryan Montgomery – IPC Athletics Sport Manager; ryan.montgomery@paralylmpic.org, Tel: 0049 151 461 37308
NOTES TO EDITORS
T11 – T13 – Visually impaired: Athletes with vision impairment ranging from partially legally blind , to total blindness.
T42 – T46 – These classes are for athletes with limb impairments, such as amputations. In classes 42-44, the legs are affected by impairment. In classes 45-46, the arms are affected. All athletes in the 40s classes compete standing and do not use a wheelchair.
Competitors in class T42 have single above knee amputation , combined arm/leg amputation, or comparable leg impairments. The IPC defined this as: “Single above knee amputees and athletes with other impairments that are comparable to a single above knee amputation. This includes athletes with loss of muscle power in the lower limbs.
Competitors in class T43 have double below knee amputation (or combined arm/leg amputation) or comparable leg impairments.
Competitors in class T44 have single below knee amputation or those that can walk with moderately reduced function in one or both legs.
Competitors in class T45 have double above elbow or double below elbow amputations or similar disabilities.
Competitors in class T46 have single above or below the amputations or have normal leg function but impairment in the arms/trunk.
