Boston Marathon: Celebrating 50 years of wheelchair racing
Fifty-one years ago, that image did not exist at the Boston Marathon. But that all changed when, in 1975, Bob Hall, a wheelchair athlete, was the first to officially complete the course, in under three hours. When he crossed the finish line, he dispelled a stigma, proving that athletes with disabilities could compete at elite levels. This set the stage for the growth and development of wheelchair racing in the marathon as an elite division, expanding opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities on a global stage.
The impact of wheelchair racing extends far beyond the finish line. The inclusion of wheelchair racing in major marathons helps to normalize disability in the public conscience. It challenges the often-patronizing narratives surrounding disability and replaces them with images of autonomy, self-determination, and strength. This ripple effect touches every aspect of society.
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I know this firsthand as a winner of the wheelchair division twice in Boston and New York and four times in Los Angeles. I've experienced the profound impact of inclusive sport on both individual athletes and the broader community. As a three-time Paralympian, recent board member of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, physician at Spaulding/Mass General Brigham, disability rights advocate, and mother, I have experienced the sport shaping my athletic career and serving as catalyst for personal and professional growth.
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While there have been significant strides in the world of para-sports, there's still much work to be done. After winning the women's wheelchair division in 2004 and 2005 in Boston, I now have the honor of serving as chair of the board of the Boston Athletic Association. Our recent announcements regarding expanded Para Athletics Divisions and enhanced prize money for those groups in the 2025 Boston Marathon are important steps in the right direction.
The introduction of new divisions for athletes with coordination impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy) and intellectual disability (e.g., Down syndrome), along with more inclusive divisions for athletes with upper and lower limb impairment (e.g., amputees), demonstrates a commitment to greater accessibility and opportunity. These changes will allow more athletes to compete at the highest levels, further diversifying the field and showcasing the wide range of abilities within the para athletic community.
Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Many talented individuals still lack access to the resources, equipment, and training facilities needed to compete at elite levels. The cost of specialized racing wheelchairs can be prohibitive for many aspiring athletes, creating a barrier to entry that we must work to overcome.
While events like the Boston Marathon have led the way, many other sporting events and organizations still lag in their support for para athletes. Leaders in sports need to continue advocating for greater inclusion and equal treatment of athletes with disabilities across all levels of competition and continue to increase funding and resources. We must expand educational opportunities, improve accessibility to spaces, and support equipment innovation and development.
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At the start of the 129th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday, we will celebrate the half century of participation by wheelchair racers. This is a moment for reflection and opportunity to further build and support para sports.
The wheels of change are in motion. Let's keep moving forward to elevate today's athletes and future generations.
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