Electric powered wheelchairs

Besides the standard marathon for able bodied people. There are also marathons for the physically disabled. The participants are usually wheelchair users. The distance covered in wheelchair marathon is the same as any other competitions, that is 42km. The participants are not allowed to compete in electric powered wheelchairs as the spirit of marathon is to push your body to the limit and beyond. Therefore, only manual wheelchairs are allowed. Athletes are advised to buy wheelchairs that are lower than usual as it keeps the system stable at high speeds. There are a few well known international wheelchair marathons such as the Oita International Wheelchair marathon.
There are few important rules that are different from the usual marathons. A helmet is important. Only race officials can assist the athlete if he were to fall during the race. This is the same if the athlete wishes to repair his wheelchair.
Participants are subjected to classifications based on the degrees of disability. The system classifies them into T51, T52, T53 and T54. They are created using the strength athletes have in their elbows and arms. This will determine what type of wheelchairs should they use for the race to maximum efficiency.