Richard Whitehead Completes Epic 40 Marathons in 40 Days Challenge
Today (23 rd September) British Paralympic Gold medallist and double leg amputee, Richard Whitehead completed his epic 40 marathons in 40 days challenge. He is the first Paralympian to achieve this.
Starting on the 13 th August, he ran a staggering 977 miles (1572km) across the UK right down to Land’s
End. Richard is raising money for Sarcoma UK and Scope and is sponsored by Virgin Media.
Richard Whitehead commented 'Despite the constant aches, pains and endless hills there was one thought that kept me going. 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.'
Throughout his sporting career, Richard has competed at the highest level for Great Britain. He is currently the World Record holder in both full and half marathons, but he’s also one of the world’s best sprinters – and the current Paralympic and World Champion in the T42 200m winning Gold at the
London 2012 Paralympic Games.
To donate please visit: www.richardwhiteheadrunsbritain.com
-ENDS-
For more information please contact:
Ali Minto: 0203 047 2258 / ali_minto@jcpr.com
Notes to Editors:
· Richard's Run Britain website is www.richardwhiteheadrunsbritain.com
. It details how he intends to run 40 marathons in just under 40 days from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
· Richard was born in Lowdham, Nottinghamshire and attended Colonel Frank Seely School and
Lowdham C of E. He is a double amputee above the knee and won Paralympic gold at the 2012 games in the 200m with a world-record time of 24.38 - a stunning achievement as he is better

known as a marathon runner and he holds the world record for athletes with a double amputation, in both the full and half marathon. In 2010 at the Chicago Marathon, he broke his previous world record for athletes with lower-limb amputations, with a time of 2:42:52.
· Richard was awarded his MBE in January 2013 for his services to athletics.