Holding Returns!

DON TAYLOR ASSESSES THE PROSPECTS OF THE LEADING WHEELCHAIR PARTICIPANTS

MEN'S RACE

David Holding returns to the London Marathon after two years absence.  He explains, "In 2001 I had tennis elbow so could not race and then decided to concentrate on sprinting."  He holds the World Record for 100 metres with a time of 14.33 seconds set in 1999, was Paralympic Champion at Barcelona in 1996 and Gold Medallist at the World Disabled Athletic Championships in 1999.

David told me, "I am training every day, doing about 70 miles a week consisting of a long run at the week end with speed work and gym training during the week."  He quipped, "When the weather is bad I train on rollers in my shed with only the spiders for company but at least I have a good training session without my hands slipping on the wheel rim as they do in the rain and cold."

As a marathon racer on the London course, David's achievements are the envy of the other racers. He has won the event four times between 1989 and 1997 and on each occasion his time has improved. To add to these victories he has been placed in the first six many times. Each of his victories have been by small margins with his tactics to stay with the pace and use his famed sprinting speed to take him to victory creating excitement for the spectators. David is still the youngest winner in 1989 when he was just 20 and in the same race became the first athlete to break 2 hours for the course.  He is also the British Record Holder with a time of 1h 28.44 making him the second fastest in the race. Anyone wanting to beat David will have to be leading him by some distance with a mile left.

This year's entry contains three other previous winners; David Weir (2002), Denis Lemeunier (2001) and Kevin Papworth (2000) and it is still hoped to tempt World Record Holder Heinz Frei and three times London winner to enter again.

Those who witnessed last year's race will remember that David Weir became the first athlete, to win the Mini Wheelchair Marathon for athletes under 18, which he did seven times- and progress to win at the classic distance.  In the middle of the race he chased the favourite Pierre Fairbank who crashed into a traffic island leaving Weir 30 seconds clear of the chasing pack, which he maintained, to the finish.

As last year there are nine athletes with faster times but David's competitive instinct will be sufficient to motivate him to try and defend his title. When asked about his training and aspirations for the race David told me, "I am a father now to two week old Ronie but so far this has not disrupted my training. I am doing 100 miles a week and following the same schedule as last year which brought me success but am aware of the quality of the field."  He said, " I am feeling fit and will give it a good go to retain my title."

The next three to finish last year and all credited with the same time as they dashed for the line have entered again.  Media student Tushar Patel prevailed to take the runners-up position and continued his gradual improvement since being the first participant to take part in the mini and full marathon.  From 1998 his successive finishing positions have been: 12th, 6th, 5th, 4th and 2nd.  To continue this sequence in 2003 he should be champion. He mused, "Over the years I have become adept at taking the first roundabout on the London course on two wheels."

Tushar has improved his PB to 1h 32.47 and is optimistic but in a recent interview explained, "This is the final year of my degree and I have had to juggle this with training and I have also had a trapped nerve in my arm which causes pain when I am under pressure to go faster.  The UK Athletics recommended physiotherapist Rosena Johnston is looking after this and despite some weeks on light training I am now back on the schedule, which should give me a good time."  He knows he must cover any break in the middle of the race. "The heavier athletes have advantage on any downward slopes and as I am only 8stone 7lbs am a lightweight."

Tushar became excited when he told me, " I am hoping for a new Bromakin customised chair in time for me to wear it in before the London. This will give me a better racing position than the one I use now which has been well worn including a crash in the World 10,000 metres Championships shown on TV."

"To test my form I will compete in the Marseille marathon three weeks before London."  Tushar is always appreciative of his coaches, Jenny Parsloe and Chris Archer at the growing Velocity Wheelchair Racing Club for the help they give.

Denis Lemeunier the 2001 Champion also involved in last years frenetic finish took the Bronze position then. His fastest time of 1h 32.43 is four seconds faster than Patel, which should put him with the leaders as they approach, the finish.

Paul Nunnari the Sydney Flora Wheelchair Marathon Champion was disappointed with his fourth place last year and felt he was in the medals but the chips and judges agreed with his placing. He will be keen to build on this experience with a better time and position in 2003.

Kevin Papworth the 2000 champion missed last years race is the third fastest in the field with a time of 1h 31.20 will be hoping for a high placing.

A late entry has been received from one of the fastest marathon racers in the world, Frenchman Joel Jeannot.  His marathon best is an extra-ordinary 1h 23.56. Joel's only excursion to the London was in 1999 when he finished runner-up to World Record Holder Heinz Frei but only one second behind in a time of 1h 35.28 which ranks him the second fastest on the course.  With these credentials he must rank as favourite to take the title.

Other leading French entries are Charles Tolle with a PB of 1h 32.00. He will be making sure his chair is well maintained this year as in 2002 he lost a wheel early in the race.  First timer at London Phillipe Le Gouic with a best time of 1h 34.26 should put him with the leaders at least for the early miles.

The leading Veteran in a fourteen man field is Scot Kenny Herriot with a best time of 1h 41.57.  Prior to a motorcycle accident when he was a paratrooper and fitness instructor he had completed ten marathons and fifteen triathlons. He says, "It was a natural progression for me to Wheelchair Athletics."  In 2001 and 2002 he was named Aberdeen Sports Personality of the Year. "While I was a paratrooper I ran from Lands End to John O Groats ironically in aid of people with spinal injuries."

Next Veteran, Singaporean Dr. William Tan has a best time is 1h 43.05.  He has a PhD in Neuroscience and says, "I am a Brain Scientist."  William contracted polio when he was two because he was not vaccinated. After completing the London he flies to Boston to compete in the marathon there the following week.  He has received many awards for youth, voluntary and humanitarian work but the most outstanding is arguably the Albert Schweitzer Prize awarded by Harvard University and the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Foundation for a graduating student whose past work and current activities have been marked by a "reverence for life" and who has sought, as expressed by Schweitzer, to "make my life my argument."

The oldest participants are the regular Wally Watson who will be 60 in June and Geoff Allen who will reach that age in October but neither is likely to be amongst the leaders.

WOMEN'S RACE

The women's race has attracted the largest field for a number of years.

By many people the six times winner, Paralympic multi gold medallist and the most recognised wheelchair athlete in the country Tanni Grey-Thompson will be considered the favourite.  However the marathon is not her main event and in last years race her victory was in a slow time of 2h 23.00, although this was an outstanding performance only two months after giving birth to daughter Carys.

Apart from Athletics Tanni has now established celebrity status appearing on Question of Sport, They Think it's all Over and Question Time.  She equipped herself well and coped with the stress in Celebrity Weakest Link only being beaten by Matthew Pinsent in a sudden death play off.  She is also often called on to deliver motivational lectures.

This year she will have considerable competition from the talented Francesca Porcellato of Italy who has a recent marathon time of 1h 49.00 and despite her lack of London experience will start as favourite as Tanni has never beaten 2hours on the London course.

Thai athlete Amnouy Wetwithan with a recent PB of 2h 03.50 will also be a contender.

British newcomer, Mancunian Rachel Potter is only two minutes slower and will fancy her chances. She represented England and finished seventh in the wheelchair 800 metres at last years Commonwealth Games.  She has an HND in Sports Development and Coaching and is a generalist sportsperson taking part in Pentathlon, Discus, Swimming, Canoeing and Rock Climbing. 

Deborah Brennan a lifetime member of Birchfield Harriers was runner up in 2001 and has a Gold medal in the 200 metres in a World Record time of 33.87 from the Sydney Paralympics. She also has three sprint Gold medals from the World Athletics Championships in 2002 and now holds all sprint records. When she is not racing or training Deborah says, "I tour schools encouraging the kids and coaches of wheelchair athletes to get involved."  Last year she was voted as the Disabled Sports Personality of the Year for Birmingham.

Last year's runner up and twice winner of the Mini Wheelchair Marathon, Michelle Lewis takes part again but will need to improve to hold on to that position. Michelle has a vibrant personality and is an eminent fundraiser and at 20 years old she will be the youngest in the whole wheelchair race.

Much was written about Paula Craig last year when she took part in the London after only having become a paraplegic eleven months earlier after being knocked off her bicycle while training for triathlons. In November she competed in the World Triathlon Championships for disabled athletes which comprised 1500 metres lake swim, 40 km hand cycle and 10 km wheelchair push. Since last year the effervescent Paula has been training hard with the Velocity Club and will expect improvement.