Bahrain set for 10th edition of annual Wheelathon

On 15th March the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) will be hosting the annual Wheelathon, this year in its 10th edition and under the patronage of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation. A charity event, the Wheelathon is a family event in which disabled and able-bodied people can choose to either race or cycle at leisure on the state-of-the-art Formula 1 race track of the BIC. Over the years, the Wheelathon has raised approximately BD50,000 for local charities including RIA, SNEHA, Think Pink and the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation. A charity event designed to raise awareness of the needs of the disabled, it is the only event in which all participants must race on wheels – be they bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades or wheelchairs. This year, participants will be able to hire bikes at registration and can nominate their preferred charity for support. ‘It is an honour to have received the backing of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the Wheelathon this year. His Highness maintains tremendous interest in Bahrain’s disabled athletes and I am delighted that the Wheelathon has received this endorsement,’ commented David Axtell, the founder and organizer of the Wheelathon. Although public registration will open at 2pm on 15th March, a hospital bed race will take place at 1pm and the track will open for the rest of the races at 2.30pm. In the family entertainment area, disabled sports events will also take place in which able-bodied children will have the opportunity to engage and compete in order to acquire an understanding of the limitations faced by the disabled. A family day out in support of disabilities, medical assistance will also be on hand, kindly provided by Ibn Al Nafees Hospital and the International Hospital of Bahrain (IHB). A resident of Bahrain since 1995, David Axtell has always played an active role in the local sports, charitable and cultural scenes as a member of the Awali Cricket Club, the Royal Golf Club and the St Christopher’s School Board of Governors. In 2009 he assumed the Chairmanship of St Christopher’s Cathedral, a position he continues to occupy. An avid sportsman, the Wheelathon is close to his heart due to the overwhelming community encouragement he has received over the years from Bahrain’s disabled athletes. ‘I receive countless compliments about the Wheelathon being their favourite event of the year, which is always a wonderful accolade. However, the most important aspect for me is to witness the disabled athletes being able to participate on a "like for like" basis and feel included in society. None of this could be possible though without the support of the BIC’s management and the commitment of their staff to making the Wheelathon a fabulous occasion for all involved,’ explained David Axtell. From BNA