Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Running with a buggy - in a race
Badgerdaddy
✭✭✭
Hiya,
We have a four-year-old daughter with Cerebral Palsy and as she can't walk by herself, absolutely loves anything kinetic - especially running with her mum or dad in a running buggy. Mum has been training and tried to do the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon with Annie Rose in buggy, but was told it was not possible; we've also been told it's not possible to do the Birmingham Great Run whatsit with the buggy. My Far Better Half was inspired by Dick and Rick Hoyt and their IronMan exploits.
So we were wondering, are there any UK races where it's possible to run with a disabled child (or even adult) in a running buggy? Or is it all down to 'health and safety'? Anybody got any experience of this - for example, is it possible to get personal insurance to get race organisers to allow it? We're all pretty safe... Honest guv.
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
Have you spoken to Scope, they are heavily involved with all the running events? Surely they could sort out an entry?
Reg, I do not know why we didn't think of that ourselves! Wonderful idea.
Mick n Phil used to do loads, so it definitely is possible: http://www.micknphil-marathonlads.com/about.php
Thanks to you both for that tip, that's a beauty too.
I must have passed them several times without really knowing they were well known!
I will next time and I'll keep an eye out for Badgerdaddy and your daughter, good luck.
The lady from Brum did come back to me and say their issue was because of Annie's age though. I wonder if that's the key factor?
Well, there was also that lady who broke the world record for running a marathon with a buggy at Abingdon, if you fancy a longer race... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-34551782
Cheers Reg!
I was going to mention Abingdon but literatin beat me to it.
This year at the Silverstone 10k in May there was a man pushing someone in a wheelchair around, and it states wheelchair entries accepted - may be worth asking whether a buggy could be accepted there?
Cheers Nader, I will ask!
have a look at this one too - in Olympic park earlier this year, looks to have been a brilliant day with a promise to be back for 2017
http://parallellondon.com/
MAZIN thanks StanleyB123!
Millsy, appreciated, thanks.
Many of our local races (Warwickshire) will have a buggy runner or two in. The Two Castles definitely do for example. I would just say be prepared to start near the back to not get in the way and I'm sure a lot of race directors would allow it. Worth emailing a few.
And Parkrun is always a good option too for something more low key.
I was going to mention parkrun. It can, of course, depend on the terrain, but they actively encourage people with buggies to join in. It's a little annoying, naturally, when some speed merchant goes past you with one of these contraptions (and I'm a sub-20 minute runner, so not a total slouch), but it takes all sorts.
I did the Great Run at Newham that finishes in the Olympic stadium a couple of years ago and there was someone who did the whole thing pushing an old lady (presumably his grandmother) in a wheelchair. It was mostly in the Olympoc park so not on grass which might be an issue for some
BTW, wheelchair guy beat me!