HAVING overcome a "logistical nightmare" to simply reach the start line at her seventh Paralympics, wheelchair athlete Christie Dawes said it's "all been worth it" after recording a top-10 finish in the women's T54 marathon in Tokyo on Sunday.
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Dawes ended up eighth, the second-best result of her Games career, with a time of one hour, 46 minutes and 44 seconds in wet conditions around the streets of the Japanese capital.
Coach and husband Andrew opted to stay at home in Merewether, looking after their two children - Charlie and Sophie.
"I think this one [Tokyo] of all of them," Dawes told the Seven Network in a post-race interview.
"Corona and homeschooling and lockdown. I mean compared to homeschooling and lockdown this is a bloody cakewalk, a marathon in the rain was quite nice.
"It's been a logistical nightmare to get here, to leave my kids and to do the whole quarantine. It's been a big effort.
"Dawsey made a really big sacrifice in choosing to stay at home and not coming over to coach his athletes, some of who were at their first Games. I'm really grateful for that."
Dawes, 41, reckons she could "never" imagine giving up the sport with next year's Commonwealth Games on the agenda as well as a potential tilt at the Paris Paralympics in 2024.
"It's been 18 months since I've raced these girls. They're not just great racers, but they're great women," she said.
Dawes said it was "awesome" to see teammate Madison de Rozario (1:38.11) claim a historic gold for Australia in that event.
Novocastrian Kurt Fearnley, who won the men's T54 marathon at the Beijing Paralympics 13 years ago, posted a message of support for de Rozario on social media.
"That was simply amazing. @madiderozario you are brilliant. Gold in the marathon for Australia. So great. Most exciting marathon I've ever watched!!! Loved the marathon finishing in the stadium. So good," Fearnley said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Charlestown resident Rheed McCracken came sixth in the men's T34 800m final on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Charlestown resident stopped the clock in a time of one minute, 47.68 seconds, having qualified from Friday's heats.
Last week McCracken collected the fifth Paralympic medal of his career in Tokyo, sealing silver for a third straight Games in the men's T34 100m.