Inspiration Claire in gear for latest marathon effort
FUNDRAISER ALL REVVED UP ABOUT HER CHALLENGE IN BIKE LEATHERS
PARAPLEGIC fundraiser Claire Lomas will be taking on the London Marathon in motorcycling gear to support disabled children across the UK.
Claire famously completed the epic race wearing a pioneering bionic suit in 2012.
Originally, she planned to swap the suit for a wheelchair and motorcycling gear last year, but the event was delayed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 41-year-old mum of two, from Eye Kettleby, is donning her motorcycle gear for the race because of her love of motorbike racing, and headed to Snetterton race track, in Norfolk, on Monday for a track day.
Claire, who was paralysed after falling from her horse during an eventing competition, never believed she would one day be racing around the track on her own.
She said: “After being paralysed from the chest down I never believed I’d be able to do this, but I love nothing more than getting on the bike and having a blast.
“It was something I’d never tried before, but the guys at Snetterton have been great and I’m excited to have a track day there.”
Her passion for motorcycling means it was an easy decision to make it part of her London Marathon bid this year, with the race taking place on Sunday, October 3.
Claire will be facing one of her biggest challenges yet, attempting to complete the course in one day wearing motorcycle leathers, a helmet, gloves, and boots, as well as pushing herself in her wheelchair.
The outfit is so restrictive that Claire likens it to pushing through mud.
When Claire originally walked the course in 2012, it took her 17 days to complete the route – meaning she didn’t qualify for a medal.
But after raising more than £200,000 for charity, and 18 competitors coming forward to offer their medals in place of hers, she was awarded one.
She has since been awarded a number of honours, including an MBE in 2017, and numerous other awards such as the Sunday Times’ Sportswoman of the Year in 2012 and the BBC Sports
Personality of the Year Helen Rollason award.
Claire will be tackling this year’s London Marathon for Whizz-Kidz, a charity which transforms the lives of disabled children across the UK.
They provide young wheelchair users with vital mobility equipment, opportunities to meet up and have fun, and offer training to help them develop vital skills.
Since 1990, they have raised £22 million to transform the lives of young people with disabilities.
Claire said: “I hadn’t planned on doing it again but the London Marathon awarded me a Spirit of London award guaranteeing me entry into the 2020 race.
“I know hard it is to get in, so I couldn’t turn down that privilege.
“I am hoping to complete it in one day, but with the added weight of the motorcycle gear, helmet and boots, it isn’t going to be easy.
“Before it got cancelled last year I had got up to 13 miles.
“I think it will depend on a lot of things, temperature especially. It is 50/50 I will be able to do it all.
“I’d love to finish when the crowds are still there and get some of the atmosphere I missed last time.”
Claire had reached the highest level in eventing when she hit a tree at Osberton Horse Trials in 2007, later saying her life shattered into a million pieces because of her fall.
She was worried about finding love and having a family, but met husband Dan Spincer a year later and they now have two girls, aged 10 and four.
She now works as a motivational speaker and has raised £800,000 for charities.
She said: “After the accident I had to start again and one of the things that has really helped me to feel free again has been going out on the bike – my husband lifts me on and away I go around the track.
“It has given me so much that I wanted to give myself a major challenge and incorporate it into my marathon bid.”
Whizz-Kidz still has a few places left for this year’s London Marathon. If you would like to join their team visit, by August 20, their website at: