Early entries are invited for George’s increasingly popular Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC) to be presented by Vodacom on February 20 next year. More than 650 athletes of all ages are expected to participate in the 2010 event, which offers a total prize purse of R229 000 for the 44 entry categories over four distances.

South African Paralympic gold medal winner, Ernst van Dyk, is the first world class athlete to confirm his entry for next year’s race. Van Dyk has won the OCC wheelchair marathon five times and will want to recapture this title after being narrowly beaten by France’s Denis Lemeunier this year, Krige Schabort of the USA in 2008 and Australia’s Kurt Fearnley in 2007.

‘We are giving local and international athletes as much notice as possible to enable them to incorporate the OCC into their schedules,’ said award-winning event director, Esther Watson. ‘Being able to plan their participation in advance makes it easier for those from distant locations who need to arrange transport and accommodation.’

‘We are hoping for an increase in international entries this year as the 2008 Paralympics are now over and athletes are starting to build up over the next four years for the 2012 event,’ Watson said. ‘Of course, the global economic situation may play a role.’

The George Municipality, which is renowned for its wheelchair-friendly environment, has stepped up its longstanding support this year. The host city has also accorded the race official recognition as one of its major sporting events, placing it in the same league as the IRB Sevens World Rugby series.

The OCC has also been identified by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, as one of the projects to be supported by his department because it is the only international wheelchair road racing sporting event in South Africa for persons with disabilities and presents an ideal tourism opportunity to invest in and expand.

Kempton Truck Hire is again the official transport sponsor for the event. Those needing help with transport may apply to the event director.

Other sponsors are Safari Outdoor Products, Eden District Municipality, and the Western Cape Department of Sport and Cultural Affairs.

The deadline for entries is 30 January 2010. Competitors must be at least 16 years of age to enter the 42,2 km marathon and the 21,1 km half-marathon in a racing wheelchair or hand cycle. There is no age restriction for the 10 km distance, which also allows basketball chairs, tricycles and ordinary wheelchairs. Any person with a physical disability can participate providing they do so in a mobility assistive device namely a wheelchair, buggy, tricycle, racing wheelchair or handcycle. People of any age group can enter the fun event, assisted by a helper.

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