Claire Lomas First To Finish Great North Run 2016
THE inspirational Claire Lomas was the first over the finish line in the 36th staging of the Great North Run half marathon on Sunday.
Claire crossed the line at 10am before the elite men, women or wheelchairs, completing the final section of a Great North Run journey which started on Wednesday morning.
The 36-year-old was paralysed from the chest down in a riding accident in 2007, but walked the 13.1-mile course using a revolutionary bionic exoskeleton ReWalk suit along with husband Dan and her support team, raising more than £10,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Fund on the way.
And the Leicestershire mum of one, who announced on the course that she was 16 weeks pregnant with her second child, took in the final mile of the famous course with thousands of supporters cheering her on.
The story captured the hearts and minds of the nation, with Farah calling Claire ‘amazing’ after her Great North Run finish.
Farah said: “It’s pretty amazing for someone to have gone through everything she’s gone through, and yet still manage to finish the Great North Run. I just want to congratulate her and her team. This is what the Great North Run is about.
“Anyone can come out and have the motivation, and for someone like her to do that is pretty amazing.
“We just need to encourage other people to do it, and I just want to congratulate everyone who’s behind her and herself. For her to have the courage to complete is pretty amazing.”
Claire said: “I’m so relieved to have finished. It was incredible. I had so much support from everyone on the course.
“There were times when I thought I was going to quit, and I questioned whether I was going to be here today, but I’m so glad I made it.”
Related Articles
1/11
What to Expect at this year’s AJ Bell Great South Run
The AJ Bell Great South Run weekend is back for another spectacular celebration of running.
Top British Athletes to Battle it Out at the AJ Bell Great South Run
The stage is set for another thrilling race at the AJ Bell Great South Run with a high calibre British field assembled once again for the iconic 10-mile event.
Power of Running: Phil Pollard
At 82 years and six months, Phil Pollard, from Alverstoke, Hampshire, is still passionate about running.
Power of Running: Stephen Hore
Stephen Hore, 41, from Southbourne/Emsworth, is gearing up to run the Great South Run for the first time this year,
Power of Running: Michelle Stone
Michelle Stone, soon to be 47, will be celebrating her birthday in a special way this year – by taking part in the Great South Run.
Power of Running: Gerard Beauvoisin
At 64 years old, Gerard Beauvoisin, from North End, Portsmouth, has been running for nearly four decades.
Team Kerr Takes on AJ Bell Great South Run
Team Kerr, from County Down, Northern Ireland, is taking on the AJ Bell Great South Run on Sunday 20 October.
Hoyle Family Takes on Junior & Mini Challenge
The Hoyle family is excited to participate in this year’s AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great South Run.
Runners, Ready? Gladiators to Host Junior & Mini Great Scottish Run
Runners, ready? It’s official, stars of the BBC’s Gladiators, Sabre & Apollo, will be joining the fun this Saturday 5 October.
Official Starters Confirmed for AJ Bell Great Scottish Run
Scotland Internationalists and Glasgow Warriors teammates Duncan Weir & Kyle Steyn will ring the official start bell at the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run.
NF1 Super Warriors Conall and Kayden’s Race to Race Awareness
It’s a full weekend of running at this year’s AJ Bell Great Scottish Run for Mum Kirsty and sons Conall 8 and Kayden 4.
