Wheelchair Racing - WheelPower

Hall of Fame Inductee - Sir Ludwig Guttmann

Sir Ludwig Guttmann KBE, MD, FRCP, FRCS

Wheelchair Racing

Wheelchair racing is the racing of wheelchairs on the track and in road races. Wheelchair racing is open to athletes with any qualifying type of disability; amputees, spinal cord disabilities, cerebral palsy and partially sighted (when combined with another disability).

Athletes are classified in accordance with the nature and severity of their disability or combinations of disabilities. Like running, it can take place on a track or as a road race. Competitors compete in racing wheelchairs which allow the athletes to reach speeds of 18 mph or more.

The British Wheelchair Racing Association

The British Wheelchair Racing Association (BWRA) is the governing body for wheelchair racing in Great Britain actively promoting participation, equality and governance for disabled people in this exciting sport on road and on track.

For more information on how to get involved in Wheelchair Racing please get in contact with the British Wheelchair Racing Association.

Visit the BWRA website

Find a Club

Joining your local athletics club is a great place to start your journey into wheelchair racing.

Find a Club near you

Harlow Wheelchair Racing Club (Credit: Jodie Hannigan)

Grand Prix Athletics Events

The British Wheelchair Athletics Association (BWAA) in collaboration with the BWRA, holds a series of Grand Prix events at Stoke Mandeville Stadium during the summer months. The events comprise of shot, discus, javelin and club in the field and 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m on the track. There is a wide range of competitors from people new to the sport to Paralympic medallists, and all are most welcome. Please note that as the games are held under IPC rules the minimum age for athletes is 11 years.

Races are graded according to times so, if you are brand new, you will not find yourself next to someone whose last race was in Tokyo! Competitors should be classified but if not you can compete as a guest and guidance will be given as to how you can gain a classification. All officiating is of the highest order with all officials being UK Athletics level 3 or above and International coaches will be in attendance to offer help and advice if needed.

Melanie Woods at the Stoke Mandeville Grand Prix - September 2021 (Credit: Peter Milsom)

Stoke Mandeville Grand Prix – September 2021 (Credit: Peter Milsom)

Entry forms can be found on the BWAA website.

Visit the BWAA website

British Athletics Performance Pathway

Para Athletics is a fast-growing sport in the UK and performances from elite athletes on the world stage continue to excel and inspire the next generation of young athletes. The British Athletics Paralympic Performance Pathway aims to identify, develop, prepare and support potential Paralympians towards World Class level.

British Athletics works closely with the Home Country Athletics federations to provide progressive learning squad environments for performance athletes to grow and develop in a safe, but challenging and inspiring setting.

Visit the British Athletics website