Josh Cassidy, Boston Marathon, 2016. Cassidy photo

Hub Staff

After a disappointing week in racing, Josh Cassidy truly believes that his 11th place finish in the Boston Marathon and his underwhelming performance in the Virgin Money London Marathon are just bumps in the road, and he’ll continue to pursue his goal of winning upcoming races to qualify for the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro later this year.

See also: A Marathon week for athlete, Josh Cassidy

Cassidy competed in the Virgin Money London Marathon, April 24, where 20 kilometers into his race his “tire punctured which forced him to drop out of the race,” said Elite Wheelchair & IPC Coordinator Virgin Money London Marathon, Michelle Weltman.

For Cassidy the results from Boston and London don't reflect the work and preparation he has put in. “I thought I was ready for the cold, wet day. I had new glove material for the rain which didn't work and I was slipping, and then I had major cramping. I did the correct prepritory things that have worked in the past but they didn't work this time,” said Cassidy, April 25.

Cassidy’s racing chair is over two years old, he is currently looking for sponsorship for a new racing chair, that will give him peace of mind during upcoming races. “When I have a new racing chair, it will be much easier to just focus on the training and preparation,” Cassidy said.
At the end of May he will be back on the streets of London for the London Mile event, a race along the Royal Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, as well as a 10k Road Race in London. The first weekend of June he will race in Indianapolis to achieve more qualifiers toward securing a spot on Team Canada in Rio, as well as head to Edmonton in July for the Canadian Track & Field Championships / Olympic and Paralympic Trials 2016.

“From there, complete focus on Rio,” said Cassidy. “I just need to believe that these things have happened in order to push me harder, and make further amendments to be ready for Rio. I just need to bounce back strong for the next one.”