The 34-year-old double leg amputee "blade runner" is widely renowned as a marathon specialist where he holds the world record for double leg amputees with a time of 2 hours 42min 52sec set in Chicago last October.

Whitehead will somewhat surprisingly be competing in the men's T44 200m event as well in Christchurch, but revealed there is some method to his apparent madness.

"It's hard because I have to develop an explosiveness for the 200m but maintain the stamina I need to run a marathon," he said.

"I do a lot of speed work as part of my marathon training anyway so it's just about fine tuning my muscles so I have greater acceleration.

"My muscles are used to being efficient over marathon distance, rather than a short sprint.

"It helps that I have such a good coach in Liz Yelling who has competed in two Olympics.

"She has put together a programme that will ensure I'm at my best for the worlds.

"It's gone well and I'm really looking forward to competing in New Zealand now.

"I haven't had a drink since I celebrated my world record in Chicago.

"I have to be disciplined when I'm in training and make sacrifices.

"It will all be worth it if I'm successful at the worlds and qualify for the Paralympics in 2012.

"I'm confident of doing well and I hope 2011 will be a special year, with success at the World Championships, and qualifying for the Paralympics."

As there is no marathon event for leg amputees at the London 2012 Paralympics, Whitehead must qualify in the T46 disability category against arm amputees.


He is fast closing in on the magical time of 2:35:00, which is expected to be the A-standard qualifying time for the event, but it is actually in the 200m where he has caused the biggest surprise.

The first time Whitehead ran in a 200m race, he clocked 27.53sec and it appears increasingly likely that he could be a force in the shorter event as well as his beloved marathon.

"It is a brilliant starting point," he said.

"The 200m is one of the only events I can compete against runners with similar impairments to me, so I thought I'd give it a go and I'm glad I did now.

"There is only a one second difference between me and the fastest time.

"I'm confident in my ability and to win a medal in either or both events."

Whitehead will soon become a full-time athlete and believes it will enable him to achieve even faster times.

When he looks back at his stunningly successful six years he admits he has surprised himself.

"I have done so much in what feels like a short time," he said.

"I used to struggle running a marathon when I first started, and now I've run 21 marathons in six years and two ultra-marathons.

"It's been unbelievable but I'm not looking back - I am looking forward."

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