Fife runner Derek Rae determined to ‘right the wrongs’ from Rio games

ATHLETICS: Kirkcaldy athlete is confident of a good performance when he heads to London

Fife athlete Derek Rae competed at his first Paralympic Games in 2016, six years after an accident that changed his life.

A collision between his motorbike and an articulated refrigerator truck left the Fife AC member with extensive injuries which caused severe nerve damage in his right arm.

An enthusiastic club runner prior to the accident, Derek has now lowered his marathon personal bests year after year to a time of 2:37.28.

The Kirkcaldy athlete will represent GB and NI again in London on April 23 in the World Para Athletics Marathon Cup, having warmed up with a personal best of 53.38 in the Scottish 10-Mile Championships at Strathclyde Park last weekend.

He said: “Training has been going exceptionally well recently.

“I feel like I am running harder, but not having to push as hard as I have in recent years.

“I think the altitude training has really helped this year. I had a really good four weeks in Kenya which gave me a good foundation, and I have built on that since I came back to Scotland, not that I can say the weather has been the same.

“I would like to thank British Athletics for their support in getting me prepared for one of the biggest marathons in the world, and giving me the opportunity to don the British vest once again.

“I have competed at the event over the last few years and I think I have done myself justice, but I think I can go out there this year and go one step further and make the move to the next level.

“I want to right the wrongs from Rio – I was disappointed not to finish the race but it has given me the determination to work even harder for London.”

Derek admitted Kenya was ‘very special’ and was thankful he was surrounded by such a “good group”.

He continued: “I was lucky to be training alongside so many talented athletes and I learned so much – it has made me a stronger and better person.

“When I was out there, I thought about London a lot. I came back with a level of excitement that I have never experienced before heading into a race like this.

“I’ve got a lot of endurance in my legs ever since London last year – I had Rio to train for so there hasn’t been much let off. I’m just listening to my coach (Ron Morrison) and not over doing it.

“If I can maintain the condition I am in now then I think I have the prospect of running really well.”

Derek Rae has been training well ahead of participating in the World Para Athletics Marathon Cup.