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France gearing for New York Marathon in November
By Zaheer Mohamed
Fifty seven year old Guyanese amputee William France MS will commence preparation for the New York Marathon which is set for November 3. France told Kaieteur Sport on Thursday last that he and other members of the club will start training on Monday from Mocha to Thirst Park on the East Bank of Demerara.
France who received the Walter Rodney award is the president of the Differently Able Athletic Club which was formed in 1998 and other members namely Burns, John Antoo and Andre Richardson are currently raising funds to take part in the Marathon from which the proceeds will go towards charity. The quartet will journey to Bartica next Friday for a walk there the following day.
France took part in the 10th Terry Fox Run on September 15 in Canada to help raise funds for cancer research and informed that he got his inspiration from the late Fox who lost his foot through cancer. Fox died on August 12 1981 in Ontario. “The late Fox raised US$18.4billlion during his career; he walked 26 miles per day for 192 days consecutively which motivated me and when I came out of prison where I served for 3 years as a librarian I decided to get involved in sports. I was the only sportsman that contributed G$8.3M to charity locally from 1994-2013”, he said.
William France (left) with John Antoo.
The amputee is concerned about the crime rate in Guyana and said that it is affecting their preparation and feels that citizens should support the police to combat crimes.
Among the feats France and other members of the club would have accomplished in 2013 are a fitness walk from Two Brothers Service Station to Mocha Road on the East Bank of Demerara which was held for the thirteen time, Awareness Walk in Bartica on February 12, Walkathons from Dartmouth to Anna Regina on July 16, from Spring land to Port Mourant on August 12.
France who was born on the 18th of March 1957 at Suddie, Essequibo Coast and grew up in William Street Campbellville and attended the Guyana Progressive College from 1971-1974 indicated that he wants to become the World’s oldest amputee to participate in a marathon before he retires in 2014. “My goal is to achieve this feat in the Boston Marathon in 2014”, added France.
He pointed out that he hopes to inspire other athletes. He said that he lost one of his feet through crime and survived eleven bullets before going to prison in 1985. Despite facing a number of challenges France was determined to show that one can make a difference through sports and education. “I had to overcome being discriminated against and this is how I decided to get involved in sports and I wanted to put my country on the map”, he said.
France achievements to date include 100 miles walk from Number 43 village Berbice to Stabroek Market on the 12th of November 1994, from Linden to Georgetown on the 12th of August 1994 of which the late president Dr. Cheddi Jagan and amputee Dennis Burns of the Guyana DefenCe Force took part, walkathon from Charity to Supenaam (38.5 miles) on the 13th of August 1995, from Spring Land to Camp Ayanganna on 1st August 1996 which was sponsored by retired brigadier Joe Singh and from Timehri to Georgetown in 1996. He has so far taken part in 21 marathons mainly in Trinidad and Tobago, USA and Jamaica.
France is married to Marlyn France who is a nurse and has five children.
Another amputee John Antoo who took part in the New York Marathon in 2010 and 2011 and other local events said he got his inspiration from France and will continue his legacy hoping to achieve similar heights. Persons willing to assist the athletes in offsetting expenses for the upcoming New York Marathon can contact France on 680-3892 or Antoo on 680-2032.
France pointed out that they do not get paid from these charitable works and credited the Almighty God for the strength. He would like to thank Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, President Donald Ramoutar, Minister Jennifer Westford, Mayor Hamilton Green, Nigel’s Supermarket, Courtney Benn Construction, Stanley Ming of Mings Production, Humphrey’s Bakery, FIFI Fabulous Invocation, Ramchand Auto Sale, Ray’s Auto Sale, Car Care, Kendrick Auto Sale, Two Brothers Service Station, DDL, Banks DIH, West Indian Sports Complex, the Guyana Police Force, coach Leslie Black, Neil Kumar and Kaieteur Sports Department.
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