The Oita International Wheelchair Marathon was first held in 1981 in commemoration of the International Year of the Disabled as the world’s first international marathon event only for wheelchair users. Now, as an officially sanctioned World ParaAthletics event, the race brings together a large number of wheelchair athletes from inside and outside Japan for a fierce competition in what has grown to be the top wheelchair marathon event in the world.
Last year, at the 40th Anniversary Event held after a blank of two years, a total of 131 athletes, including 4 competitors invited from 3 countries abroad, participated in the first international parasports event to take place after the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Marcel Hug of Switzerland set a new world record in the fastest men’s class, and exciting battles befitting the milestone race unfolded in all of the classes. It was a commemorative event that left an impression on many people, including the athletes themselves as well as the many sponsoring enterprises and organizations, the volunteers, and the people of Oita Prefecture.
At the 41st Event this year, we have received entries from 182 athletes inside and outside Japan, including general entries from abroad for the first time in 3 years. This year we will once again take appropriate infection prevention measures and strive for an event in which everyone involved, including all the athletes aiming to reach their own goals, the volunteers, the event officials, supporting persons, and others can safely participate.
I hope all the athletes taking part in this event as well as everyone else will “race at full speed” together to liven up Oita amidst the deepening autumn.
Katsusada Hirose
President
41st Oita International Wheelchair Marathon
Governor of Oita Prefecture