Three participants fundraising for Special Olympics GB, the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities in the UK, will be amongst the thousands on the start line at this Sunday’s London Marathon. 

Niamh Mourton from Derby, Doug Keith from Massachusetts, Tom Woodard from London all have their own stories to tell on the journey that has brought them to London, but a desire to help people with learning difficulties through the power of sport is their collective goal.

Niamh, who is also Special Olympics GB’s Motor Activity Training Programme (MATP) National Manager, is at last taking on the London Marathon having had it cancelled initially due to the pandemic. 

Doug Keith, who is travelling from the USA to take part, is running his eighth marathon for Special Olympics. His entire family has supported Special Olympics in the US for many years, and Keith himself, who will generously be donating 50% of his funds to Special Olympics GB, has the ambitious goal of running all the major marathons, to further champion the message of inclusion in sport. 

Tom Woodard, whose affiliation with Special Olympics GB stems from his work with the charity’s corporate partner Fuller’s Pubs, has already conquered several half marathons, duathlons and triathlons, and has his sights set on Barcelona next year for his first Iron Man. Like many others around the world, the Covid-19 lockdowns inspired Tom to find new ways to keep active, and he has not looked back since. 

Polly Hale, head of fundraising at Special Olympics GB, commented: “We are incredibly proud of these three amazing participants for running this year’s London Marathon and raising money for Special Olympics GB.  We can’t wait to cheer them across the finish line. All funds raised will go towards helping us to raise awareness of our organisation and the work we do transforming the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport.

“The London Marathon is a proud advocate for sport being accessible to all, which aligns with our own value of inclusion in action. Within our organisation, we also strive to be leaders in driving societal change and inclusion through the power of sport.”

The trio will be embarking on the same world famous marathon route which has been in place since it was established in 1981, taking in many of the city's greatest landmarks.

Donations can be made via each athlete’s fundraising page:

Niamh: https://tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/niamh-elizabeth-mourton
Doug: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/keithscrusaders
Tom: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tom-woodard1 

ENDS