Oz Day 10K Wheelchair Road Race

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Oz Day 10K Wheelchair Road Race is held on Australia Day in The Rocks, Sydney and is marquee event on the international wheelchair racing calendar, attracting prominent international and Australian athletes.

Contents

History

Sydney Rocks precinct where the annual OZ Day race is held SydneyTheRocks1 gobeirne.jpg
Sydney Rocks precinct where the annual OZ Day race is held

The inaugural race was held in 1990 around Centennial Park in Sydney amongst traffic travelling around the Park. [1] The inaugural race was the brainchild of Peter Trotter and Jeff Wiseman, two prominent wheelchair racers that trained at the Park. [1] Trotter a former 10 km road racing champion had competed in similar events throughout the world. [2] Their philosophy in creating the event was for disabled children to see elite wheelchair athletes in competition. [1] Sixty five athletes including sixteen international and eighteen interstate athletes competed. Australian cricketer Mike Whitney started the race and New South Wales Premier Nick Greiner and record breaking aviator Gaby Kennard presented the winners prizes which included prize money. [2] Over one thousand spectators watched the event. [2]

The race was moved to the Sydney Rocks area in 1991 and consisted of two 5 km laps. [1] Over the years, the organisers have encountered difficulties as major city roads need to be closed. [1] The race in normally held early in the morning to overcome the difficulties of road closures.

The race is supported by the Australia Day Council and Sydney City Council and managed by Wheelchair Sports NSW. [1] It is now an iconic event in Sydney on Australia Day.

Results

Kurt Fearnley racing at the Sydney Paralympics - a ten times winner of OZ Day 10k Wheelchair race 301000 - Athletics wheelchair racing Kurt Fearnley action 3 - 3b - 2000 Sydney race photo.jpg
Kurt Fearnley racing at the Sydney Paralympics – a ten times winner of OZ Day 10k Wheelchair race
Louise Sauvage racing at the Sydney Paralympics - a ten times winner of OZ Day 10k Wheelchair race 231000 - Athletics wheelchair racing 800m T54 final Louise Sauvage concentrates - 3b - 2000 Sydney race photo.jpg
Louise Sauvage racing at the Sydney Paralympics – a ten times winner of OZ Day 10k Wheelchair race

Prominent international and Australian athletes have competed in the event and prize money is awarded. At the completion of the 2025 event, Kurt Fearnley and Madison de Rosario had won the race eleven times and Louise Sauvage ten times. [3] [4]

Senior Events

YearMen's Open EventWomen's EventMen's T52 EventWomen's T52 EventMen's T51 Event
1990 Craig Blanchette Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Ingrid Lauridsen Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Jan Owe-Mattson Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Not held Heinrich Koberle Flag of Germany.svg  Germany [3]
1991 Craig Blanchette Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Jennette Jansen Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Jeff Worthington Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Not held Heinrich Koberle Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
1992 Franz Nietlispach Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Barbara Maier Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Rick Reelie Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia [5]
1993 Jim Knaub Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Heinrich Koberle Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
1994 Paul Wiggins Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Heinrich Koberle Flag of Germany.svg  Germany [6]
1995 Paul Wiggins Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Rick Reelie Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1996 Paul Wiggins Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1997 Jeff Adams Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1998 Claude Issorat Flag of France.svg  France Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Rick Reelie Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1999 Heinz Frei Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Rick Reelie Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2000 Ernst van Dyk Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Wakako Tsuchida Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2001 Ernst van Dyk Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2002 Saúl Mendoza Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Rick Reelie Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Fabian Blattman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2003 Ernst van Dyk Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Louise Sauvage Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Not held Heinrich Koberle Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
2004 Saúl Mendoza Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Eliza Stankovic Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Lisa Franks Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Heinrich Koberle Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
2005 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Eliza Stankovic Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Santiago Sanz Flag of Spain.svg  Spain No competitor Heinrich Koberle Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
2006 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Eliza Stankovic Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Santiago Sanz Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Sybilla Austin Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Glenn Bennett Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2007 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Chantal Petitclerc Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Santiago Sanz Flag of Spain.svg  Spain No competitor Glenn Bennett Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2008 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Edith Hunkeler Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Peter Angel Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada No competitor
2009 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Christie Dawes Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Clayton Gerein Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada No competitor
2010 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Edith Hunkeler Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Santiago Sanz Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Richard Cordukes Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2011 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sandra Rush Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Peter Angel Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia No competitorNo competitor
2012 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Santiago Sanz Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Stephen Osborne Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
2013 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Naoyuki Matsumoto Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada No competitor
2014 David Weir Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Manuela Schar Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Naoyuki Matsumoto Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Stephen Osborne Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
2015 Kota Hokinoue Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Manuela Schar Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Jono Tang Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada No competitor [7]
2016 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Manuela Schar Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Jono Tang Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Michelle Stilwell Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada No competitor [8]
2017 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Naoyuki Matsumoto Flag of Japan.svg  Japan -
2018 Tomoki Suzuki Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Naoyuki Matsumoto Flag of Japan.svg  Japan -
2019 Tomoki Suzuki Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Naoyuki Matsumoto Flag of Japan.svg  Japan -
2020 Tomoki Suzuki Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia ---
2021 Jake Lappin Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Jono Tang Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia --
2022 Jake Lappin Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Jono Tang Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia --
2023 Sam Rizzo Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Jono Tang Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sarah Clifton-Bligh Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia -
2024 Sho Watanabe Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Jono Tang Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sarah Clifton-Bligh Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia -
2025 Sam Rizzo Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Jono Tang Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sarah Clifton-Bligh Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia -

Junior and Masters Events

YearJunior Male U18/9Junior Female U18/99Masters
1990 Paul Nunnari Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Not held Mike Nugent Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1991 Eric Neitzel Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Not held Mike Nugent Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1992 Eric Neitzel Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Not heldPaul Bowes Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1993 Eric Neitzel Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Not heldPaul Bowes Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1994Shannon Bates Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Not held Mike Nugent Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1995Shannon Bates Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kerstin Rossek Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Jeff Wiseman Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
1996Todd Burmester Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Christie Skelton Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Steve Ellefson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
1997Todd Burmester Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Christie Skelton Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Steve Ellefson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
1998Todd Burmester Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Christie Skelton Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Steve Ellefson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
1999 Kurt Fearnley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Holly Ladmore Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Steve Ellefson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
2000Adam Sheppard Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kylie Gauci Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Scott Parson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
2001Grant Buckley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Angie Ballard Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Scott Parson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
2002Grant Buckley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Jessica Matassa Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Scott Parson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
2003 Marcel Hug Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Jessica Matassa Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Henri Frei Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland
2004 Marcel Hug Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Jessica Matassa Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Henri Frei Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland
2005Patrick Baker Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kelly Darragh Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kenny Herriot Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
2006Patrick Baker Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kelly Darragh Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kenny Herriot Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
2007Xaxier Elsworthy Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Laura South Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Brett McArthur Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2008Matthew Lack Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Denis Lemeunier Flag of France.svg  France
2009Matthew Lack Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Brett McArthur Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2010Matthew Lack Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Madison de Rozario Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Scott Parson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
2011 Nathan Arkley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia No competitor Heinz Frei Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland
2012 Nathan Arkley Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kristy Pond Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Scott Parson Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
2013 Rheed McCracken Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sara Tait Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Pierre Fairbank Flag of France.svg  France
2014 Rheed McCracken Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sara Tait Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Pierre Fairbank Flag of France.svg  France
2015Luke Bailey Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Julie Charlton Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Ernest van Dyck Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
2016Brad Pemberton Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Julie Charlton Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Pierre Fairbank Flag of France.svg  France
2017Sam Rizzo Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Julie Charlton Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kota Hokinoue Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
2018Sam Rizzo Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia No competitor Kota Hokinoue Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
2019Nathan Donaldson Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Victoria Simpson Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Kota Hokinoue Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
2020Cory Crombie Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Victoria Simpson Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Pierre Fairbank Flag of France.svg  France
2021Cormac Ryan Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Sarah Clifton Bligh Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Paul Nunnari Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2022Cormac Ryan Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia No competitor Paul Nunnari Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2023Cormac Ryan Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia No competitor Jun Hiromichi Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
2024Cormac Ryan Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Coco Espie Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Paul Nunnari Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2025Lachlan Reid Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Coco Espie Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Paul Nunnari Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Celebrating 25 Years of the Oz Day 10K". Vimeo. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Hamley, Margaret (March 1990). "The Qantas Oz Day 10K". Pusher's Post.
  3. 1 2 "Iconic wheelchair road race celebrates '25 years on the road'". Sydney Olympic Park website. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  4. "Kurt Fearnley Is Sensational In Historic OZ Day 10K Race Win". Huffington Post. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  5. Wiseman, Carol (March 1992). "The Qantas Oz Day 10K". Pusher's Post: 4–6.
  6. "1994 Qantas Oz Day 10K". Pusher's Post: 25–27. March 1994.
  7. "Hokinouestuns OZ Day 10k field". Australian Paralympic Committee News, 26 January 2015. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. "Summer Down Under Series 2016 Official Results – GIO Oz Day 10K – Sydney, 26 January 2016" (PDF). Wheelchair Sports NSW website. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  9. "GIO OZ Day 10k (2021) / 10K Wheelchair Race / Overall". Oz Day 10k website. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.