Nissan, Co-Host of 2009 National Wheelchair Marathon

Japanese carmaker announced that it will co-host the National Wheelchair Marathon "NISSAN Cup Oppama Championship 2009". The marathon will take place at its Oppama Plant and Yokosuka City, Japan, for three days, between December 4-6, 2009.

The event is currently in its tenth year and it has helped strengthen the relationship between the corporate sector and local communities over the years. Over 500 Nissan employees and local volunteers worked as route-marshals and water-station staff along the marathon’s track.

About 200 wheelchair marathoners, including accomplished paralympic athletes from all over Japan, participate every year.

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.

“Nissan has been addressing a wide range of actions under "Blue Citizenship" which represents the company's desire to protect the blue planet and to be a corporate citizen that can live symbiotically with people and society. These efforts range from such global issues as the environmental protection to contribution to communities, promoting diversity and making personal mobility available to as many people as possible,” a company statement reads.

"NISSAN Cup Oppama Championship" is one of such activities based on "Blue Citizenship".

The event schedule is detailed below:

• Day 1 - December 4 (Friday) - Community Get Together" (for primary schools in Yokosuka City); no athletic event will be held on this day
  
• Day 2 - December 5 (Saturday) - Middle-distance races (2.5km, 5km, 10km)
  
• (Day 3 - December 6 (Sunday) - A half-marathon (21.095km) and "challenge race" (7.0325km) using public roads (10:30 – 12:15)