Heriot Manor

George’s Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge of 16 February, a wheelchair race exclusively for disabled athletes, was a huge success again this year. The Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC) is a South African national championship event, attracting more and more overseas athletes. A growing number of scholars and health-conscious people with disability of all ages also regard the OCC as a must-do road race.

The Challenge is South Africa’s first and only street race exclusively for the disabled - thanks to the South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled. And the fact that it is staged in the picturesque town of George, in the heart of the spectacular Garden Route of the Western Cape, situated at the foot of the splendorous Outeniqua Mountains, makes it all the more special.

The event is aimed at disabled athletes from South Africa and other countries, as well as locals from all walks of life and every community in South Africa. And it seems as if the OCC hit that target market perfectly!

More than 500 people with disability from all over South Africa and abroad took to the streets of George to compete in the 6th annual Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge (OCC). The oldest participant was George’s (93-year-old) Rosie Tarentaal, while Nazlie Kannemeyer of George was the youngest, at only 13 months. Several kids younger than 5 also participated in the fun event, pushed by helpers, friends and family members.

World Cup Rugby hero Os du Randt, TV personality Charlene Truter and visually-impaired long jump world record holder, Hilton Langenhoven, a member of the preliminary SA Paralympic squad, also attended the event and participated by pushing youngsters in buggies in the fun event, drawing load cheers and applause from the spectators, of course!

The OCC was open to paraplegics, quadriplegics and people with cerebral palsy and offered prizes to the value R229 800 in four events - a 42,2 km marathon, a 21,1km half-marathon, a 10 km distance and a 5 km fun event. The more than 1 500 people acting as organisers, officials, volunteers, chair pushers and participants, made the 2008 Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge a huge success.

Krige Schabort, from SA, won the 42.2 km T53/T54 category racing wheelchair marathon in a brilliant time of 1:31:23. Second place went to fellow South African, Ernst van Dyk, with a time of 1:34:46, while Rafael Botello Jimenez from Spain finished third in 1:39:21 and Scotland’s Kenny Herriot took fourth place.

Vicente Arzo Daigo of Spain won the hand cycle division in 1:15:50. Edward Maalouf of the Netherlands came second in 1:19:25 and Jorge Navarro of Spain was third in 1:33:48

Ina Rowles, from South Africa, was victorious in the women’s racing wheelchair marathon (open T73/T54) in a time of 2:30:14.

If you want to take part in this awesome race next year, and/or participate in the other attractions that George has to offer, be sure to book your guest house accommodation early!