The Hand Crank Racing Association (HCRA) was founded in 1995 to promote the inclusion of mobility impaired athletes who use crank driven equipment (handcycles, ratchet cranked chairs, rowcycles, etc.) into running road race competitions.

Up until that time, disabled athletes who chose to participate and compete in a running road race with the assistance of wheels were required by existing wheelchair organization rules to use a pushrim racing wheelchair.

Many disabled athletes are not able to use such equipment due to the type of disability they have and the seating position of a pushrim racing wheelchair. Others choose not to use them because of the pain, injury, and/or discomfort they experience when using this equipment. Repetitive stress injuries to hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders are common. The upright, heads up, legs outstretched, firm hand position of crank equipment avoids these problems.

We here at HCRA also believe that the running road race is the best venue for these athletes using this equipment to compete in a publicly held sports event. The distances range from five kilometers to a 26.2-mile marathon and beyond. The terrain varies from flat to rolling to mountainous. The roadways are closed to traffic, supported by water stations throughout, and often lined with spectators, live bands, and the media. According to the U.S.A. Track and Field Road Racing Information Center there are more than 12,000 such races each year in the U.S. and another 10,000 "fun runs". This gives ample opportunity for all to participate.

This sport combines the best equipment, that in which the user is sitting upright and turning a crank, with the best venue, the completely controlled roadways of a running road race, to create the best competitive sport for the mobility impaired.

We do not oppose the sport of pushrim wheelchair racing or the sport of handcycling in bicycle races. We support as many opportunities for the disabled to participate and compete as possible. Our sport in no way undermines any other but does fill a niche that is perfect for many and is now the most rapidly growing competitive sport in the world for the disabled.