Julie McElroy completes the TCS London Marathon 2024
Born in Glasow with cerebral palsy, Julie McElroy has faced and overcome many unique challenges throughout her life. In 2022, Julie was introduced to Frame Running. This is an adaptive sport that allows individuals with mobility challenges to be able to run, using specially designed frames. Julie subsequently completed several events with her Frame Runner, overcoming unique physical challenges and improving her mental health. She experienced increased independence and enhanced social inclusion in events that otherwise would have been impossible and out of reach. It also renewed Julie’s confidence to trust in others to support her to achieve her dreams, and to inspire other people to achieve their own dreams.
Her biggest challenge arrived when she got a place on the TCS London Marathon 2024. Julie was referred to the Richard Whitehead Foundation (RWF) to request support to complete the event. RWF trains volunteer support runners to run with disabled people in mass running events and enable them reach the finish line. They do this thanks to an online training tool created by Sport Structures. Gill Menzies, already a friend to Julie, completed the online training and all the checks necessary to become a RWF support runner. She supported Julie with her training and they travelled down to London together for the big day.
With Gill’s support Julie completed the marathon in five hours and 59 minutes, setting a world record by becoming the first female frame runner to complete the London Marathon. The 26.2-mile journey through London’s bustling streets, presented physical and mental challenges that tested Julie’s endurance and determination. She faced unique obstacles navigating through the crowded course but, with the support of Gill who made sure she had enough space, she expertly manoeuvred through the sea of runners. One of the toughest moments came around the 16-mile mark, where Julie relied on Gill’s encouragement and energy boosts to keep pushing forward. Using the Frame Runner for the marathon was both exhilarating and challenging and being on it for six hours tested Julie’s endurance and concentration. Yet, guided by Gill, she maintained her position and pushed through the adversity.
As well as achieving a personal dream and world record that day, Julie raised £3,000 for the Richard Whitehead Foundation to help them continue their work supporting disabled people to get active and into sport. Thanks to the training tool created by Sport Structures, RWF now has a database of 116 volunteer support runners and supported 44 disabled people to take part in mass running events during 2024. The training tool has allowed RWF to develop a sustainable service and the ability to support many more disabled people to participate in running events in the years ahead.
