25 years ago, Rick Hansen set himself the goal of touring the world in his wheelchair. Over two years, he wheeled himself across four continents, through 34 countries; wheeling the gruelling equivalent of two marathons a day. His Man In Motion World Tour inspired people around the world and raised awareness of the potential of people with disabilities (it also inspired the Grammy nominated song St. Elmo's Fire - listen to the lyrics - that's the core of so many uplifting workout playlists).

rick hansen & the rick hansen foundation

When he was 15, a spinal cord injury left Rick Hansen paralysed from the waist down. Coming to terms with his disability, Rick set new goals for his life and went on to win 19 international wheelchair marathons and six medals as a Paralympian.

Rick set off on the Man In Motion Tour to raise awareness of the many obstacles he'd overcome that were ubiquitous for people with disabilities. The Tour raised 26 million dollars and gave birth to the Rick Hansen Foundation which seeks a cure for spinal cord injuries and to improve the lives of those affected by them.

25^th anniversary relay

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the world tour, the Rick Hansen Foundation is recreating the Canadian-portion, a 12,000 kilometre westward trek across Canada. Beginning on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador (and finishing on May 22, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia), the 25th Anniversary Relay will shift the focus from ‘man in motion’ to ‘many in motion’. 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others (by fostering inclusion, inspiring others to live healthily or improving the community through courage and determination) will walk, wheel or run in the Rick Hansen Relay.

join the 25^th anniversary rick hansen relay

The Rick Hansen Foundation has launched an online public contest, inviting Canadians to enter to win a spot to participate in the 25th Anniversary Relay as a medal-bearer.

All Canadian citizens and permanent residents over 13 years of age are eligible to enter.
If you want to keep up to date on the 25th Anniversary Relay goings-on, join the Rick Hansen Foundation on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Head to RickHansenRelay.com and show what a difference we can make when the whole community comes together.