SOUL OF SPORT: Everyday superheroes and their sidekicks take part in unique sporting event to encourage people with disabilities to be more active – with ANDY HOOPER on the ground in Windsor to capture the action from ‘Winter Wonderwheels’
- Every Monday on Monday, our Soul of Sport series takes readers behind the scenes of top sporting events
- ANDY HOOPER traveled to Dorney Lake, Windsor, for the Super Schools Initiative 'Winter wonderwheels'
- The event encouraged more people with disabilities to be active while spreading some festive magic and fun
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Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER traveled to Dorney Lake, Windsor, for the Super Schools Initiative 'Winter Wonderwheels'.
'Winter Wonderwheels' was created as part of the Superhero Series – Britain's only mass participation sports series specifically for people with disabilities – and encouraged 1,000 participants of all ages to get active while spreading some festive cheer.
The superheroes who took part in the event on December 3 could cycle, walk, run, push or be pushed around the course – which had different finish lines designed to give each individual the choice of completing 1km, 5km and 10km. complete.
Several famous faces were in attendance, including Paralympic equestrian champion Sophie Christiansen, Paralympic wheelchair basketballer Amy Conroy, Paralympic canoeist Anne Usher and GB Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic champion Kylie Grimes were seen cheering on the competitors.
Our cameraman, ANDY HOOPER, was on site to capture the best moments of the day using Nikon Z9 and Z8 cameras with 24mm-70mm, 70-200mm and 400mm lenses.
Winter Wonderwheels brought together people with any disability to complete a super mission (1 km, 5 km or 10 km)
The aim of the event was to encourage more people with disabilities to be active whilst spreading some festive magic and fun
As with all Superhero Series events, restrictive rules were dropped, encouraging people to use whatever 'gadgets and gismos' they wanted
Participants choose between flying solo or teaming up with 'Sidekicks' (family and friends) to tackle the unique challenges
With a big emphasis on fun, Winter Wonderwheels encouraged participants to dress up as their favorite superhero
Participants used a variety of equipment from high chairs and bicycles to walkers and trikes to get around
The participants were seen chatting and laughing with each other before embarking on their various missions
After completing their chosen distance, each participant received a colorful medal to commemorate the occasion
There were more than 1,500 spectators cheering on the participants on Sunday as they made their way around the course
Those who took on the unique challenge were given as much or as little time and support as they needed to complete it
There was nothing but smiles, hugs and celebration as the participants crossed the line after completing their missions
There was an overwhelming sense of pride in the air as these everyday superheroes completed their missions in Windsor
Sam (pictured above) couldn't contain his excitement as he crossed the finish line in Dorney Lake, Windsor, on Sunday
