A big shout-out to all the adaptive runners at the London Marathon!

As the world watched, thousands of runners participated in the iconic London Marathon, showcasing a powerful narrative of resilience, determination, and strength. Among the athletes were many individuals with disabilities who redefined expectations, shattered stereotypes, and demonstrated that the power of the mind can surpass physical limitations.

It feels impossible not to be inspired. Watching friends, fellow amputees, and para-athletes cross the finish line—and imagining the mental inner strength it took to conquer this challenge—was emotional. This moment represents a movement much larger than just a race: the rising wave of adaptive pathways in sporting events is growing and opening up many more opportunities, giving people with physical impairments the chance to participate and achieve personal goals.

I want to give a HUGE shout-out to Tyler Saunders, who I interviewed on Movao recently (check it out here). Tyler is an adaptive fitness instructor, a wheelchair basketball player, and a public speaker born with a limb difference. He chooses not to wear a prosthesis, is the person behind the Adaptive Throwdown fitness event with Gymshark, and is dedicated to educating the fitness industry about being more inclusive in their venues and spaces. Congratulations, Tyler, who completed the marathon in his wheelchair in just over four hours.

As someone who understands the challenges of competing in sports on crutches, I am genuinely amazed by former Paralympic table tennis player David Wetherill. Not only did he complete the marathon on crutches, but he also set a world record in the process. He is a wonderful soul in person, and I am so pleased for him and his achievement. The effort is remarkable, and his success sends a powerful message that limits only exist where we choose to believe in them.

This video was taken just days before his participation: 

Milly Pickles, a below-knee amputee, has now completed her second London Marathon—an impressive achievement in itself. She shares her journey on social media, highlighting how she has adapted to life with limb loss. Milly demonstrates that with perseverance, we can all overcome challenges and accomplish incredible things, regardless of our physical impairments.

Paralympian Stef Reid not only competed; she excelled while raising crucial awareness about access to running blades. Stef’s advocacy is essential because prosthetics are not a luxury for athletes but a necessity. Her performance represented more than personal achievement—it was about advocating for a future where adaptive athletes don’t face barriers in partaking in their chosen sports.

To name a few more: Ross Bradley, Chris Linnit, Ed Jackson, A.W.O.L Motivation, and the king of marathons—HUGE congratulations to MBE Richard Whitehead, who celebrated his 10th year competing in the London Marathon—all remind us that disability shouldn’t prevent anyone from engaging in sports. We can adapt and discover our unique ways to participate. While physical abilities may vary, the mind’s capacity to endure, adapt, and overcome is limitless. That is our inner superpower.

For many of us watching, especially within the disability community, these stories hit deep. They reflect our own battles—not always against others, but often against ourselves: doubts, setbacks, frustrations, and the long, slow rebuilding of identity after life-changing events. Every mile completed by all the wonderful people who participated feels like a collective victory for anyone who’s ever had to fight through recovery and rehabilitation or to be seen, heard, and included.

But this moment also carries a responsibility: to highlight that there are still many areas needing improvement—better access, funding, and clear pathways—to ensure adaptive sports are available to everyone. Visibility matters, but so does action. We must keep championing more adaptive opportunities so that many more people can discover what they’re capable of—and, most importantly, be able to live the life they choose.

Interested in taking part in the London Marathon for 2026 - apply here! https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/run-charity