By Nick Butler

Richard Whitehead has completed his 40 marathons in 40 days challengeSeptember 23 - London 2012 Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead has proved his remarkable versatility across the athletics spectrum by completing an "epic journey" covering 40 marathons in 40 days in the most grueling of 1,000 mile runs spanning the length of Britain.


He began the challenge on August 13 at John O'Groats on the northernmost tip of Scotland and has since covered 977 miles (1,572 kilometre) on the route to Lands End in Cornwall.

After receiving good luck messages from figures as contrasting as British Prime Minister David Cameron and singer Pixie Lott, Whitehead was joined by fiancée Valerie and daughter Zarah for the final stages.

He admitted unsurprisingly that he was "really tired" but also described the challenge as "an epic journey."

"Despite the constant aches, pains and endless hills there was one thought that kept me going," he said.

"That thought was a determination to prove that anyone and everyone can live a life without limits.

"Once you have accepted this, you can push the barriers as far as they can go.

"I hope I have been able to leave that message with the people across Britain.

Richard Whitehead had plenty of support as he completed his 977 mile journey across Britain from John OGroats to Lands EndRichard Whitehead had plenty of support from spectators and fellow runners as he completed his 977 mile journey across Britain.
The 37-year-old, a double above-knee congenital amputee, was first an ice sledge hockey player who competed for Britain at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin.

After switching sports he began his athletics career as a marathon runner and in 2010 completed the Chicago Marathon in 2 hours 42min 52sec, a world record for athletes with lower limb amputations.

Yet because there was no marathon on the Paralympic programme for his category he made a remarkable switch to the sprinting events to win the T42 200 metres in London in another world record time of 24.38sec.

He also claimed 200m titles at both the 2011 and the 2013 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships as well as back in London's Olympic Park at the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games earlier this year.

But he demonstrated that he had not lost his appetite for endurance by switching back to the longer distance barely two months later for this challenge.

Richard Whitehead pictured after winning his second IPC World Championship T42 200m title at Lyon in July has once again demonstrated his versatilty over much longer distancesRichard Whitehead pictured after winning his second IPC World Championship T42 200m title in Lyon in July has once again demonstrated his versatility over much longer distances





Although aiming to illustrate the capabilities of human achievement Whitehead is competing in memory of his friend Simon Mellows, who died in 2005 after contracting a secondary cancer.

He has also been inspired by amputee and sarcoma cancer sufferer Terry Fox, who attempted to run across Canada in 1980 before succumbing to the illness the following year.

"Richard Runs Britain" has raised £105,000 ($168,200/€125,000) for charities Sarcoma UK and Scope although this has so far fallen short of his original target on £1 million ($1.60m/€1.19m)

He has introduced a number of innovative concepts into the fundraising, including a mobile cinema and a particular appeal to all fellow Richard's as a result of his role as "accessibility ambassador" for Virgin Media and its founder Richard Branson.

He has also been supported by members of the public and celebrities who have joined him for sections of his mammoth quest

These include fellow Paralympic champions in Discus thrower Dan Greaves and four time cycling champion Dame Sarah Storey as well as the four-time Olympic swimming medallist Rebecca Adlington.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2013: Paralympic champion Whitehead calling on support of all Richards
September 2013: Paralympic champion Whitehead gets mobile cinema to help complete marathon spree
May 2013: Whitehead targets 200m Paralympic title defence at Rio 2016 despite marathon commitment
October 2012: Paralympic star Whitehead set for marathon across UK