A paralysed pregnant woman wearing a “bionic” suit has completed the Great North Run, five days after she started it and received congratulations from overall race victor Mo Farah.
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But for Lomas, who was paralyzed from the chest down after a horseback riding accident in 2007, just being able to walk again is enough.
She started the 13.1-mile course on Wednesday morning, crossing the finish line at 10am on Sunday.
Yes. Ms Lomas, 36, is also 16 weeks pregnant and morning sickness frequently got in the way of her training routine.
The former event rider was offered a place in the Great North Run after being refused an official place in the London Vitality 10k.
“It’s incredible, now I can watch everyone else and see if Mo Farah can win it”. The accident, which occurred as she took part in the Osberton Horse Trials in Nottinghamshire, left her with a broken neck, back and ribs and a punctured lung. She told the BBC that she was “over the moon” about finishing the half marathon, known as the Great North Run.
“It’s taken some learning”.
“I just want to congratulate her. I have to use the parts that aren’t paralysed to make it walk”.
She walked three miles a day, step by laborious step, with the help of her husband Dan and cheered on at the finish line by five-year-old daughter Maisie.
She added: “I had quite a lot of morning sickness”.
She battled the heat, the hilly course and sores caused by straps from her suit rubbing, which needed a trip to A&E for a dressing.
“I was very exhausted and I just haven’t felt quite like myself”.
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“We just need to encourage other people to do it, and I just want to congratulate everyone who’s behind her and herself”.
