Ottawa, Ontario (September 15, 2009) -- Rick Ball, who has already set two world records for single-leg amputees this year -- one for the marathon (at Boston Marathon) and the other for the 10K (at Ottawa Race Weekend) -- has set his sights on a new world record: this time for the half-marathon.
At 2009 Canada Army Run, scheduled September 20 in the nation's capital, Ball hopes to break the single-leg amputee half-marathon record of 1:21:46.
"It would make me very proud to set a new record in our country's capital among those Canadians who serve Canada and many of whom also share similar challenges," said Ball. "If conditions are right, I will be inspired to go for it."
"Rick isn't a soldier, but he demonstrates the essence of the 'Soldiering On' spirit," said Run Director Major Chris Horeczy. "Through sheer determination, he has not only overcome the physical challenge of losing his leg, but in just over two years has catapulted onto the world's running stage. I am confident he will break the record and am thrilled he has chosen Canada Army Run -- which salutes civilians and those in the military who ‘soldier on' despite life's challenges -- as the venue for his record breaking."
Forty-three-year-old Ball, from Orillia, Ontario, is scheduled to run at 9:00 a.m.
About Canada Army Run
Canada Army Run is a unique running event in which civilians run, walk, or wheel side-by-side with members of the Canadian Forces (Air Force, Army, and Navy) in half-marathon and 5K events.
Launched in 2008 with 7,000 runners (a Canadian record for the largest number of entrants for an inaugural run), this event is expected to grow to become a North American destination run. Fundraising efforts benefit Soldier On and the Military Families Fund. The 2009 Canada Army Run is scheduled for September 20.
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