No race medal for London Marathon fund-raiser Claire Lomas
Paralysed Leicestershire fund-raiser Claire Lomas who is the first to walk the London Marathon course in a bionic suit will not receive a medal when she finishes the challenge.
Claire, who has already hit her fundraising target of £50,000, passed Canary Wharf today on day 12 of her bid to walk the course in aid of the Spinal Research charity. She is expected to cross the finish line next Tuesday.
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Claire in her bionic suit
But under London Marathon rules, competitors have to finish the 26.2-mile course on the same day to qualify for a medal.
The mother of one, from Eye Kettleby, near Melton, will not appear in the official results or receive a medal, the organisers of the London Marathon confirmed today.
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The 32-year-old, who was left paralysed from the chest down following a horse riding accident in 2007, set off with thousands of other competitors on April 22 in her ReWalk suit.
So far she has raised more than £60,000 for Spinal Research, a charity which funds medical research around the world to develop reliable treatments for paralysis caused by a broken back or neck.
A number of celebrities have lent their support by walking a mile alongside her, including TV presenter Gabby Logan and her husband, former international rugby star Kenny. The latest was TV presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle, who joined her this afternoon at Canary Wharf.
A London Marathon spokeswoman said today: “As organisers of the London Marathon, we met with Spinal Research charity and informed them of our policy before Claire’s entry was formally accepted.
“I can confirm that any participant taking part in the Virgin London Marathon that does not finish on the day of the event, ie April 22, 2012, will not appear in the official results, nor be in receipt of a finisher medal. Finisher medals will be given only to finishers who cross the finish line in The Mall up until 6pm on race day, that is 8 hours, 15 minutes after the mass start at 9.45am.
“This policy is in line with most races around the world and is for very practical reasons.”
“After the final cut-off time we do not have water stations or medical cover on the course, the timing system has been dismantled, and we have no way of confirming that a runner has, in fact, completed the full marathon course.”
“In addition, we are only able to take responsibility for the health and welfare of people who complete the event on the day."
See tomorrow's Leicester Mercury for more on the medal decision, have your say below and add your vote to our poll on this page.
To sponsor Claire online visit http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Lomas
Comments
by SAMcPherson
Saturday, May 05 2012, 6:19PM
“robbc commented the other day about Eddie Kidd, another champion. He suffered brain damage as well as spinal cord injuries in his motorcycle accident.
I don't see from his website, http://tinyurl.com/c49tkfd that he entered the marathon this year, but it seems that he has not been well, besides not being able to walk. Not much going on in the way of events; however, he has been selected to carry the Olympic flame through his home county of Sussex on July 17th.
His emphasis on fundraising is going in a different direction, towards stunt performers and extreme sports men and women.
I see that Claire will get a trophy, offered by Virgin. A lot of the problem iriginally with this was that the rules were changed regarding the marathon, becoming more strict to prevent these kinds of situations from happening.
Let's hope her fundraising can help Eddie Kidd and people like him. I understand he used a kind of nerve stimulator too, during his walk last year. Otherwise he would have been in a wheelchair.”
by bodder1
Friday, May 04 2012, 3:10PM
“am campaighning on Facebook to get Claire her own Medal . I do not know Claire but her achievements already deserves a medal. I have contacted the Virgin London Marathon and I have offered to pay for a medal for Claire but virgin refused because she did not finish at 6pm on the actual day..by the way this is the first time a medal has not been issued last year the man who had the diving suit received his medal ......Virgin said that Claire would have known she would not get a medal but eh it would have been nice for someone from the Marathon's media to be there to congratulate her instead of being negative .....these are the only people who are negative and de-motivational ....this would have been better publicity for Virgin compared to what they are getting now ......Well done Claire on your fund raising we are all proud of you ....will be looking out for you on the news on Tuesday GO GIRL !!!!!
follow my page Give Claire Lomas a Virgin London Marathon Medal on facebook”
by redcat
Friday, May 04 2012, 12:19AM
“If she paid an entry fee and she completed the course then she should get her medal. As should anyone who does the same. It's the 'Virgin London Marathon', I wonder how Richard Branson feels about this policy seeing as how his company has it's name across the marathon? Maybe the Mercury should as him for HIS opinion...!”
by Oh_come_on
Thursday, May 03 2012, 9:04PM
“I agree, everyone has been upfront about this from the beginning so really there's not much of an issue here.
Perhaps for the future a 'charity fundraisers medal' should be arranged for instances such as this which doesn't have to have the same rules.
Either way if Claire isn't that bothered about having one what is there to complain about, other than we all seem to enjoy a good whinge.
But as it has now been featured on the news someone will no doubt go to the trouble of making one for her even though she may have prefered the money in her charity box instead”
by graydjames
Thursday, May 03 2012, 8:16PM
“Actually upthecity I don't think it has always been there. And robbc7's post would seem to bear this out. According to a news item on the BBC this lunch time this is a new rule.
But also, in the same piece, Ms Lomas made it clear she was not concerned about the lack of a medal. Also it seems that many many people who have run the marathon have offered her their medal, which is rather touching I think.”
by Roddymick
Thursday, May 03 2012, 6:50PM
“Come on Richard "Keep up"”
by upthecity
Thursday, May 03 2012, 5:44PM
“but on the other hand she must have known this rule don't just blame the organisers it's a rule that's always been there
I suspect a medal is not her concern .”
by LikeItaLot
Thursday, May 03 2012, 4:52PM
“A medal and then some if you ask me”
by petemayor
Thursday, May 03 2012, 4:48PM
“All credit to Claire.Shame on the organisers.”
by CGLee
Thursday, May 03 2012, 4:41PM
“The organisers must have known Claire's situation when they admitted her as a contestant, so why allow her to take part if it was known at the outset that she would be unable to complete the course in the allotted time?
The London Marathon is made up of elite runners, other serious contenders, fun runners and people like Claire, who all have a part to play in making this a unique event.
It seems a bit mean spirited to me for the organisers to take this stance.”