Euphoria after finishing 6km

Diana McGillivray is ‘‘still on a high’’ after completing this year’s Round the Bridges on walking sticks.

The 29-year-old Hamilton woman has cerebral palsy and uses the sticks to get around.

Prior to the event, the farthest distance she had walked was 2km.

Hamilton’s 73rd Lugton’s Round the Bridges took place on Sunday, November 19.

Runners could compete in the 6km and 12km disciplines, with McGillivray tackling the former.

‘‘I’ve achieved something I never thought I’d be able to achieve,’’ she said.

‘‘I was basically told that I’d be in a wheelchair permanently by the age of 25 and I wouldn’t be able to walk.’’

But McGillivray defied her doctor’s warnings and crossed the finish line, but she faced more challenges than most along the way.

‘‘I had to take breaks in between. I had to sit down but I did it and in the end there were tears of joy.

‘‘I’m a toe-walker, which means I don’t put my heel on the ground... Because of the way I walk, I use up more energy and my steps are smaller than most people. I’m still feeling the soreness in my legs today,’’ she said.

McGillivray trains at Fit Futures, a charitable trust that was established to help people with physical disabilities reach their full potential through fitness.

She’s been enlisting the help of mentor and coach David Robson since early 2013.

‘‘It’s benefited all aspects of my life,’’ McGillivray said.

‘‘I’m walking more, I’m not falling as often. I used to fall a lot and have a lot of ankle injuries. I got the support network I didn’t know I needed.’’

McGillivray has felt a sense of euphoria since completing the course and encourages others in her situation to give it a go next year.

‘‘Not only do I like what I’m doing, but it gives me a high to see other people achieving things that weren’t on their cards.

‘‘You only live once so lead the life you want to live,’’ she said.

Round the Bridges event manager Michele Connell said record numbers lined up for the run, with around 6500 participants giving it a go.

‘‘We had ever got down to the wire like that so it was fantastic.’’