The annual London Marathon always has countless inspirational tales hidden within the 40,000-strong field. This year, one of those to line-up at Greenwich Park was Claire Nicholson, who was about to embark on her third London Marathon despite having to run with pins in her back.
The 24-year-old businesswoman developed a curved spine, which was shaped like an S, in 2011. She had surgery to straighten it at just 13-years-old, and is now complete with two metal rods and a bunch of screws on either side of her spine.
As such, she was forced to wear a back brace throughout her early school years. That didn’t stop the Minnac marketing consultant doing what her peers could do, discovering and prospering in running after years of training.
Sunday’s edition of the 26.2-mile (42.2km) race through the capital was her third attempt at running the renowned event. She ran for NHS Charities Together.
Claire, from Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, said: "My back is completely inflexible but I've suffered no side effects or pain from my condition. My spine makes me unique and I feel so happy that I've run my third marathon - against all the odds."
Her first London Marathon took place in 2019, which she completed in a time of 7hr 12min 49sec. Having become a member of a local running club, her aim was to keep shaving off as much time as possible, achieving an improvement on Sunday to 6hr 46min 37sec.
After winning the company's Rise Up competition, she earned a place as one of the ‘Buxton Water's 8’, which was created to champion eight participants who have shown resilience in the face of daily obstacles and challenges. Claire also has long Covid and asthma, and told Buxton Water: “I don't let anything stand in my way”.
