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Kurt Fearnley, 2009 NSW Young Australian of the Year
Kurt Fearnley is a world champion wheelchair athlete with a can do attitude that makes the impossible possible. His infectious energy and passion for life inspires and motivates audiences across age groups and industries.
In 2009, Kurt Fearnley claimed his fourth New York Marathon title in a row, finishing the 42.2-kilometre course in a time of one hour, 35 minutes and 58 seconds. Just two weeks before he claimed his third consecutive win in the Chicago Marathon. The wins capped off an amazing year for Kurt Fearnley with other victories in Seoul, Paris, London, and Sydney. As if that were not enough, with relentless enthusiasm and incredible drive, Kurt moved on from the marathon circuit to take up his next and most grueling challenge for the year – crawling the Kakoda Trail. He took on this last challenge for 2009 to raise awareness of mens’ health issues.
About Kurt Fearnley:
Kurt Fearnley was born without the lower portion of his spine, yet despite this, he’s always been willing to have a go at everything.
The youngest of five children from the small western NSW town of Carcoar, sport was always a big part of his family’s life. Ignoring his disability, he happily played in everything against his able-bodied brothers and mates.
With an indomitable spirit, Kurt took up wheelchair racing when he was 14. From pushing his everyday wheelchair as fast as he could down the grass track at school athletics carnivals to pushing his chair the last five kilometres on a flat tyre at the Athens Paralympics, he went on to win gold in the toughest marathon in Paralympic history. His determination and never-say-die attitude have rewarded him with the highest accolades in disability sport.
In 2006, Kurt was nominated for the prestigious Laureus Sports Award. In 2007, Kurt won ten out of eleven international marathons he competed in, breaking six course records along the way. Kurt is currently World Champion in all distance above 800m (800m, 1500m, 5K, 10K and Marathon). Beijing 2008 Kurt made Australian sporting history when he defended his Paralympic Marathon title.
The facts about Kurt Fearnley:
2009 NSW Young Australian of the Year
2008 Commonwealth Male Disabled athlete of the Year
2007 NSWIS “Athlete of the Year”
Currently champion of 10 different Marathon titles from 5 different continents: Paralympic Marathon Champion; World Marathon Champion; NY Marathon Champion; London Marathon Champion; Chicago Marathon Champion; Seoul Marathon Champion; Paris Marathon Champion
Placed on the Podium of every marathon contested since 2000
Undefeated over 10km since July 2006
5km Paralympic Champion, World Champion and 5Km “Road” World Record Holder
Australian Record Holder in the 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m and Marathon
Finalist in the 2006 Laureus World Sports Awards
Multiple winner of NSW and Australian Athlete of the Year with Disability
9 time Paralympic medalist including gold in the (2004 & 2008) Marathon, (2004) 5000m
Current 5 time World Champion
Client comments about Kurt Fearnley:
He was simply inspirational. He is also a very personal young man who spent some time talking with the Red Bend Catholic College students who were present and shared his experiences with them by letting them handle three of his medals - his Silver Medal from the Sydney Olympics, his Gold Medal from the Athens Olympics and his solid Gold Medal for winning the New York Marathon last year.
Red Bend Catholic College
"Kurt is warm, engaging , funny and inspirational. Without a doubt, he is one of Australia's most focussed and exceptional athletes - his list of achievements speaks for itself. Despite this, he is supremely modest and unassuming. From the moment he "rolled" up onto the stage we were captivated, inspired and amused. Kurt left us all in a better place and motivated to achieve. We could not have found a better speaker for our conference."
Don Nicol -Avenue Capital Management
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