News
Amputee Rick Ball sets 10,000m PB at Nationals
July 29, 2010One-legged runner Rick Ball set a PB of 37:53 in the 10,000m at the Canadian Track and Field Championships at Varsity Stadium in Toronto on Wednesday. Athletics Canada invited the Orillia, Ont. native to compete in the open men’s 10,000m event, which was won by Regina’s Simon Bairu in 28:49.
“It was a really tough race and I had to grind out the last part to reach my goal,” said Ball, who finished first in the para class. “The reward for that hard work was to receive a gold medal from legendary Canadian distance runner Bruce Kidd - a real bonus.”
The race was run on what would have been the 52nd birthday of Ball’s inspiration, Terry Fox.
Ball holds the fastest time in the world for single-leg amputees for the 10K, half-marathon and the marathon. He’ll be competing in the Army Run in Ottawa in September and hopes to eventually gain a spot on the Canadian team for the 2012 Paralympic Games.
