Meet the man who completed the Queen City Marathon in a wheelchair
CTV
World-record holder Kyle Gieni completed the Queen City Marathon in a wheelchair on Sunday, with his sights set on a possible world record attempt next year.
World-record holder Kyle Gieni completed the Queen City Marathon in a wheelchair on Sunday, with his sights set on a possible world record attempt next year.
Gieni, who has Regina roots, said he took inspiration from cross-country skiing to complete the 42.2 kilometre trek through Regina using poles to propel his chair forward.
“I used to do some cross-country skiing back in Regina back when I was a kid, so coming back here it just seems natural to hop on some and start grinding away,” Gieni told CTV News after the race. "Just to show people that it's possible, just to show people that anybody can do it, even if you're in a wheelchair, it doesn't matter, just get out there.”
Gieni earned a Guinness World Record for the fastest half-marathon in a non-racing wheelchair with poles back in May, recording a time of 1:23:15 in Vancouver.
Gieni guessed his full marathon time at the Queen City Marathon was around two hours and 40 minutes, which he says would be an unofficial world record.
“Maybe I’ll call Guinness World Records next year, and they can come down and see me,” Gieni said.
More than 4,000 people took part in the various races on tap at the Queen City Marathon this year, ranging from family fun to the full marathon on Sunday.
