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 trying to beat my personal best time in every event I participate in is a bonus.

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’. 

I understand that people might think that doing a marathon in an electric wheelchair would be as easy as just pushing a joystick for 4 and a half hours and needing no prior training, however, it’s much more than that. I find the physical, as well as the mental fatigue I feel could be compared to that which an able-bodied runner would experience. I use this example when explaining, if able-bodied runners want to slow down and turn off to have a rest they can. I find it challenging to switch off during, I am constantly alert to people around me, I must remain alert of my chair speed and speed it takes to stop safely.

My aim is to spread awareness on my situation, how it makes a wheelchair user like me feel alone and excluded from doing the things I love and that make me feel joy. My aim is to challenge the rule makers to change to be a more inclusive and allow a wider range of population to compete in these monumental milestones. Marathons should be for everyone, even those who require essential health equipment such as a motorised wheelchair.

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.