Introduction
New for 2011, the Pacific Association will have two divisions for athletes with disabilities at the LDR Road Grand Prix Series. The divisions (male and female) are:
* Physically Challenged (PC): A physically challenged (PC) athlete for the purposes of LDR Road Racing is defined as any person with a significant and permanent physical or motor deficiency but still allows them to be ambulatory for road racing. Examples of appropriate permanent physical challenges include: Partial or complete loss of a lower extremity, such as a Symes or leg amputation. Some have significant loss of motor function due to stroke or a serious degenerative neurological condition affecting the extremities such as Multiple Sclerosis.
* Wheelchair: A wheelchair athlete for the purposes of LDR Road Racing is defined as any person with a significant and permanent physical or motor deficiency requiring the use of a push rim wheelchair (not handcranks) to compete. Able-bodied individuals may not participate in the Wheelchair Division. Rules and regulations for wheelchairs will be based from the International Paralympic Committee’s regulations. See below for wheelchair specifications.
The Grand Prix Races, 2011
* Zippy’s 5K (April 17 or April 24). www.zippy5krun.org
* Marin Memorial 10K (May 30) http://www.marinraces.com
* San Rafael Mile (June 5) www.marinruns.com/sr-mile.htm
* Humbolt Redwoods Marathon (October 16) www.redwoodsmarathon.org
* Clarksburg Country Run Marathon (November 13) www.clarksburgcountryrun.com
Join Now!
You must be a member of PA/USATF to be eligible for prize money. Be sure to check the box that you are PC or wheelchair athlete.
Application can be found at: www.pausatf.org/data/membership.html
Be sure to submit verification of your disability to George Rehmet [email protected]. (see below for more details).
Verification:
In most cases, a doctor's note documenting the disability must be submitted with PAUSATF membership application to compete in PC and wheelchair categories. The doctor’s note will be reviewed by the Physically Challenged Committee.
The doctor’s note must state that the athlete must be permanently and
specifically impacted in terms of strength, range of motion, and/or coordination by at least 15%. Additionally, amputations must be at least 15% of any limb.
Any impact must be permanent and always present
If the application for PC/Wheelchair status is denied, the athlete may appeal and submit additional evidence. If needed, the committee may request to meet with such athlete to confirm the athlete’s disability.
Medical verification must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the first PAUSATF. Once the doctor’s note is approved, the PC/wheelchair athlete will be verified as such for as long as he or she is a PAUSATF. However, the above athlete is responsible for indicating the category of PC or wheelchair on future race entries.
Prize Money
Prize Money Break Down for Each Race
* $25 for first prize only for individual runners only.
Prize Money Break Down for Season-End
* $25 for first prize only for individual runners only.
Racing Wheelchair Specifications
Racing wheelchairs must conform to specifications as established by the International Paralympic Committee:
1) The wheelchair shall have at least two large wheels and one small wheel.
2) Any device or design element that exists for the purpose of reducing air resistance will be permitted provided that said device or design is limited to the area between the rear wheels and must not extend beyond the lateral edges of the large wheels or extend in front or behind the edges of the tires except that fenders may protrude two inches (2") past the circumference of the inflated tire.
3) The maximum diameter of the large wheel including the inflated tire shall not exceed 70cm. The maximum diameter of the small wheel including the inflated tire shall not exceed 50cm.
4) Only one round handrim is allowed for each large wheel.
5) No mechanical gears or levers shall be allowed that may be used to propel the chair.
6) Only hand operated mechanical steering devices will be allowed.
7) No part of the chair may protrude behind the vertical plane of the back edge of the rear wheels.
8) Athletes must ensure that no part of their lower limbs can fall to the ground or road during an event.
9) It will be the responsibility of the competitor that the wheelchair conforms to all the above rules and no event shall be delayed while the competitor makes adjustments to the chair.
10) Chairs may be measured prior to the start of the event. Chairs which have been examined may be liable to re-examination before or after the event by the official in charge of the event.
Other information:
* PC and Wheelchair runners can not step down into other divisions for scoring.
* For determining finishes for wheelchairs, the front wheel of the wheelchair that crosses the finish line will be used.
For Visually Impaired Runners:
Depending on the success of the 2011 season, we are hoping to expand the division to include runners with visual impairments for 2012.
In the meantime, the California International Marathon (www.runcim.org) on December 4, 2011 will be host to the National Visually Impaired Marathon Championships.
For more information about events for the visually impaired, contact Richard Hunter [email protected]
Biography of Chairperson for PC/Wheelchair Committee
George Rehmet: Runner since 1981 from distance of 400 meters to 24 hour races. Member of Pamakid Runners. Served as board member of Pamakid Runners from 1999 to 2009. Served as editor for club’s award winning newsletter, Soonar Soundings, from 1999 to 2008. Served as convention director for the 2009 Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) National Convention in San Francisco. Served as RRCA State Representative from 1999 to 2004 and 2008 to present. Awarded Outstanding RRCA State Representative of the Year in 2001 and 2009. Working as a special education teacher for students with disabilities since 1994 and coaching high school cross country at a juvenile camp facility since 2007.
