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Top three tips to get started in frame running from new world champion Strong
Newly-crowned Australian women’s 100m T72 world champion wants to inspire more athletes to take up frame running 10 Jul 2023
For Maria Strong, frame running is like flying. The newly-crowned world champion in the women's 100m T72 took up running on a frame in their 40s and it was a revelation for them.
“Most frame runners can’t stand and walk that well, let alone run without a frame,” the 52-year-old athlete said. “I had never been able to run more than a few steps. I tried a race chair, I suck at it.
“I got on a frame and I was suddenly not at the risk of face planting. I could move reasonably fast. It’s like I’m flying.”
Athletes use a frame runner, an equipment with three wheels that supports them when they advance. At the Paris 23 Para Athletics World Championships, they competed in the newly created T72 category.
Strong, who is also a bronze medallist in the women’s shot put F33 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, crossed the finish line in 17.07 seconds in front of a vocal crowd in the Charlety Stadium on Sunday.
The Paralympian finished ahead of Poland’s Magdalena Andruszkiewicz and Spain’s Judith Tortosa Vila.
Asked about competing in both frame running and shot put, Strong joked, “I’m not sure (if) I’m a good thrower for a runner or a good runner for a thrower. I enjoy frame running more not because I just won the World Championships but because throw events involve waiting for three hours.”
Strong explained that frame running has been around for many years, but it is still considered a new sport in many countries. The athlete wants to see more people from around the world take up frame running.
So, interested in taking up frame running? Here are the top three tips from the newly-crowned world champion.
1. Get access to equipment
It’s a very equipment-dependent sport so find out where you can get access to a frame in your country.
2. Don’t expect to be fast instantly
I’m still getting faster and I’ve had my frame since 2019. It might be difficult if you just see the best in the world soon after you start so don’t expect to be fast instantly.
3. Make friends
One of the best things about frame running is about getting to know people.
