Yokohama (Nov. 21, 2011) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will co-host the 12th National Wheelchair Marathon "NISSAN Cup Oppama Championship 2011" for three days from December 2 to December 4, 2011. The special marathon will take place at its Oppama Plant (Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa-Prefecture) and Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Marking its twelfth year, the national wheelchair marathon has greatly contributed to the development of sports for the disabled. The event has helped strengthened bonds between the corporate sector and local communities with over 500 Nissan employees and local volunteers working together as route-marshals and water-station staff along the route every year since the first event in 2000.
Attracting about 200 wheelchair marathoners every year, including accomplished paralympic athletes from all over Japan, the event celebrates the greatness of these outstanding athletics. On the third day, those who will compete in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Masayuki Higuchi and Wakako Tsuchida will participate in the race.
Nissan's employees contribute to its "Taiyo Fund" which goes to various athletic organizations for the disabled. The marathon route will pass through Nissan's Grandrive proving ground next to its Oppama plant and the adjacent public roads.
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