Hello, I’m Mick and I love to wheel around and push boundaries in my motorised wheelchair. Over the past fifteen years I have competed by driving my motorised wheelchair in many running events, such as Sydney City2Surf, various half-marathons and 3 full marathons, and crossed the finishing line independently in each event.

I have enjoyed the feeling of being included in the running community and love trying to beat my personal best time in every event I participate in. I entered into a marathon ballot for Australia’s biggest marathon for a fourth time, and was accepted, and have recently been told that I am only allowed to compete in a ‘duo’ team where a runner pushes me in a manual wheelchair. These cost a lot of money and defeat the purpose of somebody like me that can drive a motorised wheelchair independently and with precision through large crowds. This is due to the marathon implementing the World Athletics and World Para Athletics rule: motorised wheelchairs are prohibited. The marathon mandates it is ‘an inclusive event for everyone’. I don’t feel that the usage of the World Athletics and World Para Athletics rule makes this marathon ‘inclusive for everyone’. 

Some people may think that participating in motorised wheelchairs is easier and gives an unfair advantage, but I disagree. The physical, as well as the mental, fatigue I face is the same as an able-bodied runner. I use this example when explaining if runners want to slow down and turn off to have a rest they can, however whatever speed I am going I have to be on the lookout for fellow runners and obstacles at all times. 

 I have emailed World Para Athletics to voice my thoughts and opinions and haven’t received a response. 

Please help and sign this petition if you agree that motorised wheelchairs should be allowed to race in marathons around the world.