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The Oita International Wheelchair Marathon, which started in the International Year of Disabled Persons (1981) as the world's first marathon race solely for wheelchairs, is the world's premier race which has produced a number of world records and a history of inspiring wheelchair athletes from Japan and abroad.

Last year, the Covid-19 infection was moved to Class 5, and for the first time in four years, the hospitality unique to this prefecture was restored, including exchange events between overseas athletes and prefectural residents and a parade through the town after the opening ceremony the day before the event. In the race, which was blessed with clear skies, three runners in the marathon women's T34/53/54 classes engaged in a dead heat right up to the finish line, with first-time entrant Catherine Debrunner winning for the first time in an event record time, and the heated competition in each class was worthy of this world-class event.

This year's event is also being held in an Olympic year, and amidst the growing worldwide interest in parasports, a total of 223 athletes have entered, including 5 medalists from the Paris Paralympics, 58 entrants from 13 countries and regions overseas, and 165 entrants from 31 prefectures in Japan, for both the men's and women's competitions. As we enter a new era post-Covid, we look forward to delivering “beyond excitement” to the world together with all those involved in its operation, including the enterprises, organizations, volunteers, and citizens of the prefecture who support and cooperate with us.

In Oita, the birthplace of sports for the disabled in Japan, it is you who will shine.
Let's make the 43rd Oita International Wheelchair Marathon exciting together!