 Since the late 1960's athletic individuals who found themselves in wheelchairs have been racing their wheelchairs against each other. But it wasn't until 1975 when Bob Hall was allowed to race his hospital style wheelchair in the Boston Marathon that wheelchair racing began its road to popularity and social acceptance as a recognized sport. Wheelchair racing is the first sport that was allowed in competition in tandem with able body competition. For those wondering, Bob's Boston Marathon finishing time in 1975 was 2:54:05. Bob Hall was also the first wheelchair racer to break the 3 hour marathon barrier.
In the mid-1980's the first 3 wheel racing chair was invented. Seen as an unfair advantage, the three wheel racing chair was not allowed in any sanctioned competitions. But, the three wheel chair proved itself to be more stable at higher speeds and faster due to less rolling resistance and improved aerodynamics. A few years later the three wheel racing chair was approved for competition. This effectively wiped out all four wheel racing chair designs.
Today there are relatively few racing wheelchair manufacturers. The overall design has had few changes with most of the new innovations coming in seating position and pushing style. Currently the world wheelchair marathon record is held by Franz Nietlispach who completed the 1999 Boston Marathon1:21:36. Wheelchair racing is an exhilarating sport to watch and will continue to enjoy its popularity for years to come. |
The first racing chairs were modified hospital chairs. They were heavy, slow, sliggish, and man were they ugly! As the sport progressed so did the racing wheelchair. The chairs grew longer, the seating position changed, the frame materials were lighter, and the wheels and tires were adopted from racing bicycles.
Racing wheelchairs have progressed to an almost unrecognized level from its humble beginnings. Marathon times have been cut in half, top speeds on a flat are well over 20 mph and over 50 mph on a decline, wheelchair racers have gained national sponsorships by household companies, and the racers are considered athletes in line with runners or bicyclers.