Duo ready to go for New York Marathon
Winton husband and wife John and Rachel Langford have a special bond and it’s going to be seen on the world stage on November 4.
John, who is a tetraplegic, and Rachel are training hard to compete in the worldfamous 42 kilometre New York Marathon.
A car crash 20 years ago left John paralysed from the neck down.
John’s been interested in competing in the marathon since watching Catriona Williams, also a tetraplegic, take part eight years ago. She rode a hand cycle and John will do the same.
Williams founded the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Trust in 2005.
John’s application to compete in the 2017 marathon was unsuccessful but this year he and Rachel have gained places in the Achilles New Zealand team.
‘‘I need Rachel beside me in case I crash, puncture, have a medical issue and to do the gear changes,’’ John said.
Training started five months ago soon after being told they were in the race. John’s hand cycle has been loaned to him by Parafed Southland.
‘‘We train in Queens Park and on central Southland roads ... we’re averaging 50 or 60 kilometres a week.,’’ John said.
On wet days he uses an exercise machine at home. ‘‘[Training] is going according to plan ... it’s difficult but doable.’’
In the marathon John knows there will be stages that will require strength and determination. ‘‘I’ll be good on the flat, better on the down hills but I will struggle in the wind and up hills.’’
A netball player, Rachel is finding the training not too bad.
‘‘It’s easier than I thought it would be ... my body is holding up all right,’’ she said.
Last year hand cyclist Jack LovettHurst and his stepfather Greg Houkamau, of Invercargill, completed the marathon’s 42 kilometres in 5hr 51 min 03sec. Another Southlander and former paralympian Dan Buckingham was also in the 2017 marathon.
Blind athlete Hannah Pascoe, of Invercargill, is also among the many other Southlanders to have taken part in the event. Accompanied by a guide, Pascoe ran twice in 2013-14.