By DAVID KOEPPELPublished: April 29, 2002
The Brazilian wheelchair racer Carlos Roberto Oliveira overcame a treacherous, rain-drenched course in Prospect Park yesterday to win the second Achilles Marathon in Brooklyn. The conditions stymied some competitors, who slipped and slid across the hilly terrain at noticeably slower speeds than in dry weather.
The weather caused Kamel Ayari, a past winner of the New York City Marathon’s wheelchair race, to bow out of the race, saying the slippery course was too dangerous to navigate. The 26.2-mile course consisted of eight laps around the park.
About 57 wheelchair competitors from more than 20 countries participated in the race, about 40 percent of those who had registered. Approximately 500 disabled and able-bodied athletes also completed the marathon or marathon relays. The Achilles Track Club sponsors racing events and trains disabled runners.
For Oliveira, 41, it was an especially sweet victory, his first in a New York race. His dream of competing in the Paralympics were dashed earlier this year when he broke his right leg in three places.
Fonte: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/29/sports/marathon-brazilian-wins-achilles-in-rainy-prospect-park.html
Esportes – Zero Hora – 2002
