By Rawle Toney
One of Guyana’s most decorated physically-disabled athletes will be hosting his sixth annual fitness walk this Sunday starting at the two Brothers Gas Station and will conclude at the Mocha Arcadia road head, a distance covering approximately two miles.
According to amputee William “The Conqueror” France, the event is open to everyone since it is a fitness walk which is aimed at helping to make persons more health conscious.
Five amputee race walkers along with two wheel chair athletes and members of Guyana’s Blind Cricket team are expected to participate in the walk.
Also, Prime-Minister Samuel Hinds, who participated in last year’s event, is expected to participate again this year.
Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in the open event. There will also be trophies for the youngest and oldest finishers on the day and the first visually-impaired person to finish.
Meanwhile, France along with four other athletes, Dennis Bourne, Andrea Richards, Audrene Bowlin and Keith Mc Curchin, will be heading to New York to compete in the New York Marathon event scheduled for November 2.
All but one person, Keith Mc Curchin will be entering the event as a physically disabled athlete.
France said this will be his last New York Marathon and he will be the oldest amputee in the world to compete at the event. The 47-year-old American Dick Truman at present holds that distinction.
The now 50-year-old France had his right leg amputated 25 years ago and has been competing in marathons around the world for the past 16 years.
He drew his inspiration from Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer treatment activist Terry Fox, who was also disabled and who died on June 28, 1981.
France has participated in several of the world’s most famous Marathons competing seven times in New York and six times in Boston.
Several of the country’s elite businesses have been supporting France over the years and he declared that without them, his success would not have been possible.
