29.10.2009

Fearnley shoots for six from six in New York

Australian wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley will this weekend attempt to claim his sixth straight marathon title for 2009 and round out a full calendar year undefeated in the sport when he takes to the start line of the annual New York Marathon.

With wins in Paris, London, Seoul, Sydney and Chicago already under his belt in 2009, the 28-year-old New South Welshman will cement his standing as wheelchair sport’s ultimate marathon man if he can take out the New York event this weekend.

Aiming for his fourth straight event victory in the Big Apple and eighth consecutive marathon title - his seven-event winning streak dates back to May last year – Fearnley will enter Sunday’s race a marked man.

“This year feels a bit different, I'm more excited about the race than I have been for a long time, but also more nervous," Fearnley said.

"This race consistently attracts the strongest field in our sport and no one has won four in a row. I'd love to be the first but I'll be racing with a big target on my back."

Since taking out his first title for the year in Paris on April 5, Fearnley has gone on to claim line honours in another four events against the world’s best wheelchair racers and is now aiming to achieve a perfect six wins from six starts in 2009.

In attempting the feat the three-time Paralympian and two-time IPC world championships representative will come up against one of the strongest fields assembled since last year's Paralympic Games, where Fearnley took line honours in the marathon in a photo finish.

He will be joined in New York by four former winners of the event as well as wheelchair gun Ernst van Dyk (RSA) and world-record holder Heinz Frei (SUI), and in typical Fearnley style is all set to take on the challenge.

"The course travels through the five boroughs of New York and the biggest climb comes in the first five kilometres when we cross the bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn,” Fearnley said.

“I'm one of the lighter athletes and climbing is a strength, so getting off to a good clean start and over the rise quickly sets a good foundation for the race. Even if I'm not in front, to break the big boys with a bit of speed early on always helps.”

Following his final marathon outing for the year in the Big Apple this weekend, Fearnley will take on what is arguably the biggest challenge of his exhilarating career when he attempts to crawl the Kokoda Track next month. 

"Everyone says to me, ‘Have you gone mad? What are you thinking?' My job is to race for Australia and the Track has a huge significance in Australian history," Fearnley said.

"For me, I think it's going to be a bit about figuring out who we are. It is also a chance for me and my family and friends to experience something positive and challenging."

Kurt Fearnley’s 2009 race results:

Date	Event	Place	Time
April 5	Paris Marathon	First	1:30.17
April 26	London Marathon	First	1:28.56
May 10	Seoul Marathon	First	1:29.49
September 20	Sydney Marathon	First	1:36.43
October 11	Chicago Marathon	First	1:29.09