Candace Cable
1997
Candace Cable was the premier female track and road racing athlete of her era — a trailblazer whose speed, determination, and courage helped redefine what was possible in adaptive sport. Beginning her competitive wheelchair racing career in 1980, Candace quickly emerged as a dominant force, setting the standard for excellence in both national and international competition.
Her extraordinary career includes six victories at the Boston Marathon, and more than 75 marathon wins across national and international road racing events — a record that solidified her place among the most successful wheelchair racers in history.
Candace’s athleticism transcended seasons and disciplines. She became one of the first athletes, male or female, to compete — and medal — in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. In her illustrious career, she won nine gold medals in five Summer Paralympic track events, and added three more medals in Winter Paralympic skiing events, showcasing unmatched versatility and commitment to her craft.
Candace also helped pave the way for the integration of wheelchair racing into the Olympic Games, participating in three Olympic Exhibition track events and earning two medals — helping bring global visibility and respect to the sport.
Her achievements reached a historic pinnacle when she captured the Long Beach National Half Marathon Championship, completing the rare and coveted “Triple Crown” of wheelchair racing — a distinction reserved for the sport’s most elite competitors. That same year, her exceptional accomplishments and leadership were recognized when she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the National Wheelchair Athletic Association (NWAA).
Through her strength, perseverance, and barrier-breaking achievements, Candace Cable not only dominated her sport but also advanced equality, visibility, and opportunity for all adaptive athletes. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of competitors who follow in her tire tracks.