I was delighted to officially start this year’s annual Tyne Tunnel 2K International Wheelchair Race.

I was pleased to start the event at the South End of the Tyne Tunnel – dubbed the fastest wheelchair race on the planet – and saw Britain’s Beijing double gold medallist David Weir and Beijing silver medallist Shelly Woods triumph in the men and women’s competition respectively. 

Tunnel 2K International attracts an internationally renowned field of elite and record holding athletes, but this year the field is the strongest ever with 9 Paralympians from Beijing 2008 lining up to take part. These included Mickey Bushell (silver medallist at Beijing 2008) and Brian Alldis (coached by Dame Tanni Grey Thompson).  Internationals include last year’s winners, Diane Roy (silver medallist at Beijing) and Josh Cassidy from Canada, and new to the race - USA’s 5000m gold medallist Amanda McGrory. 

I was delighted to officially start this year’s Tyne Tunnel 2K International in its eighth year. I am proud that our area has once again successfully hosted this wonderful, high profile event and look forward to the race continuing become a major event in the Borough for years to come.