Para Athletics Classification

As you may be aware, the procedures for competition in Para-Athletics are rather more complex than in mainstream athletics. Although our programme of Adaptive Athletics has been running for over a year, we are only now fully engaging with Para-Athletic competition.

On 15th and 16th of July, Nancy Jubb became our first fully classified athlete.

The procedure involved submission of medical records and then required attendance at Stoke Mandeville for a medical and physio examination lasting an hour – very extensive to determine precise angles of limb movements and upper and lower body manipulation. On the following day, she then had to be observed taking part in the Stoke Mandeville Grand Prix competition for para-athletes. She used one of our club racing chairs which was not the best fit. She came an excellent 4th in 100m and 200m races, beating the other T54 athlete (her classification) in the first race. Her times in windy conditions were 25 secs in 100m and 52 seconds in 200m. For her age this probably puts her at the top of rankings in Power of Ten.

The next step, after a well-deserved break will be more competition in Yate, followed by another Grand Prix at Stoke Mandeville.

The next challenge: getting her own customised racing chair … easy? Well only if you have £10k to spare! That’s the cost.