FALMOUTH, Mass. – In a landmark year for the wheelchair division at the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, two legends of the sport will attempt to capture their sixth victories in the event. Five-time Falmouth winners Tatyana McFadden and Daniel Romanchuk will headline the professional field for the 50th running of the ASICS Falmouth Road Race wheelchair division on Aug. 17. For McFadden, it marks a return to Cape Cod for the first time since 2022. Both McFadden and Romanchuk did not compete last year as both were in Paris competing in the Paralympic Games.
Now based in Florida, McFadden is one of the most decorated wheelchair racers in history. Along with her five Falmouth titles, she is a 22-time Paralympic medalist with more than 20 Abbott World Marathon Major victories. She has twice completed what is known as the “Grand Slam of Marathons,” breaking the tape in the B.A.A. Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon in the same year. McFadden was the runner-up the last time she raced in Falmouth in 2022. Her last victory came in 2019. McFadden, winner of the Boston 10K in June, has personal ties to Falmouth. It’s where her grandparents first met, and she still has family living in the area.
“I am so excited to be celebrating the 50th running of the wheelchair division at the ASICS Falmouth Road Race. We have Bob Hall to thank for starting the division in 1975,” said McFadden, referring to the race’s first men’s wheelchair winner. “What a historic and beautiful way to celebrate as we race this course together.”
McFadden will face 2024 ASICS Falmouth Road Race champion Hoda Eishorbagy. Last year, Eishorbagy became the first Egyptian athlete to win any division in Falmouth with her dominant victory. Nigerian Paralympian Hannah Babalola comes to Falmouth for a sixth time. She has placed third here for the past two years and was runner-up in 2017. Also in the field is young Falmouth veteran and Auburn, Mass. native Maddie Wilson. She’s finished fourth here three times, including last year.
Romanchuk will not only attempt to claim his sixth Falmouth title, but also look to better his course record of 21:23 set here in 2023. Romanchuk, 27, has been coming to Falmouth since 2013, then just 15 years old. Since then, he’s become one of the most dominant road racers on the circuit. He’s a three-time winner of the TCS New York City Marathon and also has wins in Bank of America Chicago Marathon, TCS London Marathon and B.A.A. Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America. Romanchuk has racked up victories across the country this summer, winning the Bolder Boulder 10K in Colorado, the Boston 10K and the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.
“The course is the perfect way to end the summer season,” said Romanchuk, whose first victory here came in 2017. “It was the first major road race I did, and I have learned so much from older racers along the way. I’m excited to be there to celebrate the 50th anniversary!”
Last year’s winner Miguel Jimenez-Vergara will look to spoil the celebration for Romanchuk. The Californian looked dominant at the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, N.Y. last month. He was runner-up to Romanchuk in 2023. Also returning is 2021 Falmouth champion Hermin Garic. In his 10 Falmouth appearances, Garic has finished on the podium six times. Jenya Senbeta, the 2015 and 2022 runner-up returns as well.
The race will also showcase the long-time legends and the future of the sport. Tony Noguiera, 57, and Krige Schabort, 61, both five-time Falmouth champions, will make their 19th and 12th Falmouth starts, respectively. Harry Houng-Lee, an Australian training in New York City will make his Falmouth debut at the age of 12. Houng-Lee is part of the New York Road Runners Rising Wheelchair Training Program. He won eight gold medals at the Move United Junior Nationals last year.
16-year-old Colton Robinson, a high school standout from West Springfield, Mass. will be competing in his first-ever road race in Falmouth while 19-year-old Delmace Mayo of Jamaica Plain, Mass. will look to improve upon his seventh-place finish here last year.
Canadian Paralympic legend Josh Cassidy will return to Falmouth for the first time since finishing third here in 2017. Valera Jacob-Allen comes back after debuting with a fourth-place finish here last year.
“As we look back on 50 years of wheelchair racing from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights, we are excited by the opportunity to look to the next 50 years,” said Scott Ghelfi, president of Falmouth Road Race, Inc. “Falmouth has historically been the race where legends grow and stars are born. We expect to see that happen among the field of athletes who line up here in a few weeks.”
Founded in 1975, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race wheelchair division is the oldest competitive wheelchair race in the country. To celebrate 50 years, the race will welcome back key competitors from its history. Candace Cable will be in Falmouth to mark the occasion. She won Falmouth six times throughout her incredible career that spanned nine Paralympic games. Eight-time winner Craig Blanchette will also be on hand for the event. A private program and reception will be held to mark the 50th anniversary on the eve of the race, hosting race leadership, athletes and other VIPs.
The Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year, the race draws an international field of Olympians, Paralympians, elite athletes and recreational runners to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. Race weekend also features a variety of other events. The invitational Falmouth Track Festival, presented by ASICS, will welcome elite milers on Friday, Aug. 15, and features the 14th annual Tommy Cochary High School Mile for local high school athletes. The following day, the SBLI Family Fun Run will host kids ages 2-12 to compete in their own races, while also providing an abundance of booths and activities for all to enjoy. Throughout the weekend, the Health & Fitness Expo will be taking place, welcoming over 20,000 visitors to browse the various booths featuring the latest in running, fitness and uniquely Cape Cod items.
For more information about the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, visit www.falmouthroadrace.com and follow the event on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT FALMOUTH ROAD RACE, INC.
The Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite athletes and recreational runners to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The nonprofit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving.