Guy In Motorized Wheelchair Wins Wheelchair Marathon Again

BOSTON, MA--The 29th annual Boston Wheelchair Marathon was won, once again, by a guy in a motorized wheelchair. Thomas Ripp, a 33-year-old investment banker from Schaumberg, Illinois, won his third straight marathon, outlasting his competition in what has become a yearly tradition. As was the case the previous two years, Ripp used his motorized chair wisely, gaining a decided edge in stamina and fatigue. While his fellow racers lurched towards the finish line, Ripp cruised effortlessly at a steady 10 miles an hour, until he reached the finish line on Boylston Street.

“I’d just like to thank God for giving me the talent to compete in this race,” said an emotional Ripp after he crossed the finish line. “It was a tough one, that’s for sure. These other guys don’t give up easily, and it took all I had to win this thing. I’d also like to thank E & J Wheelchairs, who provide me with my motorized chair. I think that really gave me an edge at the end.”Ripp also thanked his personal trainer, Ed, for recharging his battery every five miles along the 26-mile race.

“Ed is a lifesaver. We went through some rigorous training to get through this race,” said Ripp. “You know, these batteries don’t stay charged forever. They do start to run out after a few miles. Plus, I get carpal tunnel syndrome in my thumb and forefinger from pushing that little lever forward. It’ll take some time to recover from this one, but it’s worth it.”

Ripp said the most difficult part of the race was the beginning, when he was forced to watch the other racers whizz by as he rolled along at a leisurely pace. But his patience and professionalism kept him going until the halfway point, when other racers were slowing down.

“Eventually a fatigue factor sets in for the other guys,” he said. “It’s always a little scary at the beginning when everyone is flying by, but my trainer has taught me how to be patient and stay focused. Right around mile 13, a lot of guys start dropping off. But not me. I’m holding steady at 10 miles an hour.”

When he finally crossed the finish line, Ripp threw his hands in the air and wept, thanking God for seeing him through once again.

The other competitors are all too familiar with Ripp and his motorized wheelchair. Several of them have complained that he has an unfair advantage, and should be forced to wheel himself manually like everyone else.

Charles Keaton, who has finished second to Ripp the past three years, voiced his opposition to Ripp’s technique after the race.

“I don’t mean to be a complainer, but it just doesn’t seem fair,” said Keaton. “The rest of us have to practically kill ourselves to get to the finish line, and all this guy has to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. I’m tired of it. Today I was really struggling towards the end, really huffing and puffing, and there’s Ripp buzzing down the street like it was a Sunday drive.”

Another wheelchair marathon veteran, Sanjay Mehta of Bhopal, India, has been complaining about the chair ever since Ripp unveiled it in 2000. Ripp calls the complaints “sour grapes”, but Mehta insists that he has a valid point.

“I cannot believe he is allowed to ride around on that thing,” said Mehta. “How can this be? It has a motor on it that allows him to travel at speeds up to 10 miles an hour. A human being cannot maintain that speed consistently for 26 miles without mechanical assistance. So how is it fair to the rest of us, who work and slave all year to build up the strength and stamina to pull ourselves through this race? Ripp doesn’t even work out. He just sits around all year waiting for the race, and he always wins. Perhaps I should get one of those motorized wheelchairs.”

But Ripp insists that he worked extremely hard to win the race, and his equipment should never be called into question.

“Hey, that’s a cop out, if you ask me,” said Ripp. “Complaining about someone’s equipment is pretty easy to do, but what’s difficult is looking in the mirror and admitting that you failed. I understand Charles is upset about the loss, but that’s just a low blow. And besides, I busted my butt today. It got really grueling around the twentieth mile, with the sun beating down, and me having to go to the bathroom really bad. I almost peed myself, but luckily I had the strength and fortitude to stick it out till the end. I think next year I’m gonna have to put a bedpan on this thing.”

Ripp vowed to continue racing in his motorized wheelchair until he is told otherwise. So far, race officials have not protested the chair. But if fellow racers continue complaining, the issue will have to be addressed.

Wayne Guaret, the wheelchair marathon’s organizer, said the Marathon committee is looking into the problem, but sees no reason yet to punish Ripp.

“Technically, he’s really not doing anything wrong. There is no rule that says the chair cannot be motorized,” said Guaret. “I think that calling so much attention to Mr. Ripp’s mode of transportation undermines how much hard work he puts into winning this race. Everyone knows that equipment doesn’t win races. Winning comes from the heart, and Mr. Ripp truly has the heart of a champion—and the wheelchair of a champion.”