Richard Whitehead MBE
Double Amputee Paralympian
Richard Whitehead MBE is a congenital double amputee, Paralympian, who now applies his determination and natural athleticism to long-distance running.
Richard is the current world record holder for leg amputees in both the half and Olympic marathon distances. He is also the first ever leg amputee to complete the marathon in under 3 hours
As a double leg amputee, life is full of challenges, but that's never got in Richard's way. He always dreamt of being able to run a marathon and in January 2004, he set himself the mother of all challenges.
Since that first marathon in 2004 Richard Whitehead has run more than a dozen marathons, not to mention competing at the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games in sledge hockey.
In 2009, he became the first leg amputee (single or double) to break the three hour mark for a marathon, a world record he has now lowered to 2 hours, 42.54 minutes. By becoming World Champion in the 200m, setting a championship record, in January 2011 at the IPC Athletic World Championships, Richard has cemented his stature as one of the most versatile and outstanding Paralympic athletes in the world, he later went on to break both the 200m and 400m world records in 2011.
Achievements include:
· 400m World Record at Paralympic World Cup 2011, 57:06s
· 200m World Record Holder, Olympic Stadium 2012, 25:50s
· Gold - 200m IPC World Championships 2011, 25:88s
· Marathon World Record holder Chicago Marathon 2:42:52s
At the London 2012 Paralympic Games Richard won Gold in the T42 200m.
Richard’s aim is to use London 2012 as platform to inspire people from all walks of life. This includes not only disabled athletes, but able-bodied ones too – anyone who may want to get out there and run. Richard is living proof, that with enough desire and determination, any obstacle can be overcome.