Athletics for disabled people

Wheelchair racing at Perivale

People with physical, visual, hearing* or intellectual impairments can all take part in athletics and running!

To be eligible to compete in Para Athletics, a person must have an eligible impairment and meet the minimum impairment criteria set out in the World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations. 

The England Athletics National Para-Athletics Manager is Matt Kendrick. email Matt on mkendrick@englandathletics.org or call 07823 812035

Track and Field classes

Numbers are preceded by a T for Track and horizontal jumps, or an F for Field events. Generally the lower the number within a specific impairment type indicates a more severe impairment.

Ambulant racing, ambulant throws and jumps

  • T/F11-T/F13 (Vision impairment)
  • T/F20 (Intellectual impairment)
  • T/F35-T/F38 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))
  • T/F40-41 (Short stature)
  • T/F42-44 (Lower limb competing without prosthesis affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)
  • T/F45-47 (Upper limb/s affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)
  • T/F61-64 (Lower limb/s competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference)
Para athletes throwing a javellin, jumping and running

Seated throws

  • F31-34 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))
  • F51-57 (Limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement)

Wheelchair racing

  • T32-34 (Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis))
  • T51-54 (Limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement)

RaceRunning

  • RR1, RR2, RR3 (athletes with severe co-ordination impairment (hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis)
Para athletes including shot putt and racing

* Hearing impairments are not currently included in World Para Athletics or UKA classifications.

More information

National Disability Sports Organisations

You can find out more about getting involved with athletics and athletics competition opportunities for disabled people by approaching specialist organisations.

The seven NDSOs are:

They are not athletics specific but can signpoint you in the right direction.

Find a Club or RunTogether group