Claire is finally a marathon medallist
COMPLETES LONDON COURSE IN AID OF A CHILDREN’S CHARITY
MARATHON fund-raiser Claire Lomas has finally got her own medal after completing the London course in six hours and 40 minutes.
It marked an emotional weekend for Claire, a former eventer, as she also returned to the scene of her accident at the Osberton Horse Trials for the first time on Friday.
Claire visited the tree she hit in 2007 that led to her being paralysed from the chest down.
In 2012, when Claire, now 41, walked the London Marathon in a robotic suit, it took her 17 days and so she was unable to get a medal of her own.
On Sunday as she pushed her way round in her wheelchair dressed in motorbike leathers, boots, gloves and helmet.
She was determined to make it to the end in under eight hours in aid of the charity Whizz-Kidz, which transforms the life of disabled youngsters across the UK.
She had chosen biking leathers as she has taken up the sport of motorcycle racing on an adapted bike and wanted to raise awareness of that and also wanted a real challenge. She said: “It was incredible to reach the finish in time for a medal this time and to experience the crowd support and atmosphere.
“The volunteers were amazing and all the spectators. It was knowing it changes the lives of children that also helped me make it to the finish line.
“Every disabled child should be able to have the mobility equipment that improves their life.
“I just hope my next challenge involves an engine.”
“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
It was incredible to reach the finish in time for a medal this time and to experience the crowd support Claire Lomas
in so I couldn’t turn down that privilege.”
Claire 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.”
People can still sponsor Claire – text CLAIRELM £5 to 70085