Stop Press: 12 October 2008
Fearnley defend title in Chicago
Australian Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley has dominated a strong field to defend his Chicago marathon title.
Fearnley finished in a time of 1 hour 30 minutes 16 seconds, more than two minutes ahead of his nearest rival Masazumi Soejima of Japan, with Krige Schabort of South Africa a further four minutes behind.
The win comes just four weeks since Fearnley defended his marathon Gold medal in the Beijing Paralympic Games.
Fearnley and Soejima cleared away from the pack early in the race and by the 25km mark had opened up a two and a half minute gap on the rest of the field. The Australian broke the Japanese athlete over the next five kilometres, pushing strongly to put a two minute break between first and second. He maintained the lead to take his fourth marathon title of 2008.
A tired Fearnley was happy with the result.
"That was hard work out there today. Soejima is such a strong racer and I couldn't drop him. He was one of the strongest in Beijing and unlucky to finish out of the medals, so I knew he'd be there or thereabouts today" Fearnley said.
"This year was all about Beijing with any other results a bonus. To finish ahead here is really pleasing as I wasn't sure how I'd pull up after the games" he added.
Fearnley's attention now turns to New York in three weeks time, where he will attempt to finish his year with a third straight New York marathon title.
"It's been a great year so far. New York's my favourite race and another win there would really put the icing on the cake".
Fearnley will face the second strongest field of the year in New York, with the Paralympic marathon the only one deeper. Fierce rival David Weir of the United Kingdom will be there, as well as the other medallists from Beijing, Ernst van Dyk of South Africa and Sasahara Hiroki of Japan.
Stop Press: 10 October 2008
Fearnley to tackle Chicago Marathon
Australian Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley will attempt to defend his Chicago marathon title on Sunday.
The race will be Fearnley's first since winning Gold in the Beijing Paralympic marathon last month.
Fearnley, who also picked up three individual medals on the track in Beijing, had an arduous Paralympic week with crashes, protests and controversy dogging his campaign. After a short break with family and friends, he is excited to be back on the marathon trail.
"I needed a break after Beijing. It was always going to be a long week, but after everything that happened I was emotionally drained. It was great to sit down with everyone, relax and reflect on what had happened. I feel refreshed and ready to attack. Last year was the first time I'd raced in Chicago and I like the course, so it's a good place to start up again" Fearnley said.
After Chicago, Fearnley will finish his 2008 season in New York where he will attempt to win his third straight title after wins in 2006 and 2007. Fearnley's 2006 New York win started a run of success that has seen him dominate the marathon distance around the world with 13 wins on five continents, culminating in the defence of his Athens Paralympic Gold in Beijing.
Stop Press: 4 July 2008
Fearnley finalised Beijing preparation with another win
Australian wheelchair champion Kurt Fearnley has rounded off his Beijing preparation in style with his third road race win in a week at the Peachtree 10km in Atlanta.
Fearnley defended his Peachtree title in a time of 19 minutes 54 seconds, finishing well clear of South African Krige Schabort and Mexican Aaron Gordian. Earlier this week he won the Long Island 10km in New York and the 5km title in Cedartown, Georgia.
Peachtree is recognised as the pinnacle of short course wheelchair road racing, and after dreaming of winning the title for so long, Fearnley was overjoyed with his second win.
"Peachtree has always held a special place in my heart. I've been coming here for 10 years now and it was the first place i raced internationally. To win here once was great, to do it back-to-back is just awesome" Fearnley said.
Fearnley has not been beaten over 10km since July 2006, an unprecedented streak taking in seven straight wins. His win rounds off his Beijing Paralympic preparation and he will enter the games with a target on his back. A target he is happy to wear.
"I had a slow start to the year so I came to the US this year to try and be competitive, get a couple of good times and try and squeeze a win. To win at every start is a huge bonus. I'll go to Beijing now with a bit of extra confidence and probably a target hanging over me. With the races being so close now, the psychological advantage I gain from these three wins is great and adds to everything I've put in on the training track" he said.
The Australian Paralympic Committee confirmed Fearnley's selection in the Paralympic team this week and he will compete in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m, Marathon and relays in Beijing. It will be Fearnley's third Paralympic games and we will attempt to add to the two Gold medals he won at the 2004 Athens games.
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Sporting Achievements – Kurt Fearnley
| Meet Name |
Event/Class |
Placing |
| 2000 Paralympic Games, Sydney |
T54 800m |
Silver |
| 2000 Paralympic Games, Sydney |
T54 1500m |
4th |
| 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney |
Demonstration Event – 1500m |
4th |
| 2000 Marathon, Sydney |
Marathon 42km |
1st |
| 2002 Marathon, Sydney |
Marathon 42km |
1st |
| 2004 Marathon, LA |
Marathon 42km |
1st |
| 2004 New York |
10km |
1st |
| 2004 Oz Day, Sydney |
10km |
2nd |
| 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens |
T54 800m |
4th |
| 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens |
T54 1500m |
4th |
| 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens |
T54 5km |
GOLD |
| 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens |
T54 Marathon |
GOLD |
| 2004 Paralympic Games, Athens |
Men’s Relay 4x100m |
SILVER |
| 2004 Male Athlete of the Year |
| 2005 Oz Day, Sydney |
10km |
1st |
| 2006 Marathon, New York |
Marathon 42km |
3rd |
| 2006 Oz Day, Sydney |
10km |
1st |
| 2006 Seul Marathon |
42km |
1st |
| 2006 Toronto |
10km |
1st |
| 2006 Long Island |
10km |
1st |
| 2006 IPC World Championships |
800m |
GOLD |
| 2006 IPC World Championships |
5000m |
GOLD |
| 2006 IPC World Championships |
Marathon |
GOLD |
| 2006 IPC World Championships |
1500m |
BRONZE |
| 2006 Tyne Tunnel |
2000m |
1st |
| 2006 Great North Run |
21.1km |
1st |
| 2006 Oita Wheelchair Marathon |
42km |
SILVER |
| 2006 ING New York Marathon |
42km |
1st |
| 2007 Oz Day, Sydney |
10km |
1st |
| 2007 Nationals South Africa |
Marathon |
1st |
| 2007 Marathon South Africa |
42km |
1st |
| 2007 Marathon, Los Angelos |
42km |
1st |
| 2007 Marathon, Rome |
42km |
1st |
| 2007 Marathon, Paris |
42km |
1st |
| 2007 Marathon, London |
42km |
2nd |
2007 IAAF World Athletics Championships, Osaka |
Demonstration Event - 1500m |
1st |
| 2007 La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon |
42km |
1st |
| 2007 Marathon, New York |
42km |
1st |
| 2008 Oz Day, Sydney |
10km |
1st |
| 2008 Marathon, London |
42km |
2nd |
| 2008 Outstanding Elite Male Athelete with a Disability |
27th Commonwealth Sports Awards |
|
| 2008 Long Island, New York |
10km |
1st |
| 2008 Cedertown, Georgia |
5km |
1st |
| 2008 Peachtree, Atlanta |
10km |
1st |
| 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing |
T54 800m |
2nd |
| 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing |
T54 42km Marathon |
1st |
| 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing |
T54 5000m |
2nd |
| 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing |
T54 1500m |
3rd |
| 2008 Marathon, Chicago |
42km |
1st |
