LATEST NEWS:

10 July 2008 - ROME MARATHON 2009

Richard Whitehead is delighted to confirm his attendance at the 2009 Rome Marathon.

14 APRIL 2008 - LONDON MARATHON

Richard Whitehead recorded a personal best time of 3:28:59 at the 2008 London Marathon.  The personal best was a landmark for Richard officially breaking the 3 hours 30 minute barrier.  Richard is now focused on continuing to improve his time with the ultimate goal of breaking the 3 hour barrier for the marathon.

16 MARCH 2008 - MARATHON CHAMP TAKES ITALY BY STORM

Double amputee marathon runner Richard Whitehead recorded a personal best time of 3:38.59 at the 2008 Rome Marathon.

Personally invited to race by marathon organisers, Whitehead took the 26.2 mile challenge in his stride, following a spectacular historic route through the streets of Rome

Whitehead said: “It was an absolute honour to be invited to Rome to run in the marathon. The Italian people have been amazing; I’ve been stopped in the street by strangers wanting to shake my hand.”

Following intense national media coverage, the Italian people embraced the Paralympic athlete’s presence.

“It’s been mad,” Whitehead continues. “I was interviewed by both broadcast and print press before the race and the coverage is continuing. It’s brilliant for disabled sport that a whole nation has taken an interest. School kids have even done a project on me.

“It’s vital that disability sport is promoted as much as able bodied sport. Its such a powerful tool to engage people, disabled, able bodied, black, white, male or female. By my reception in Rome, the Italian people have proved how much they embrace people with disabilities – my personal best in the race just topped off my time there.”

Elite Runner Division Manager, Massimiliano Monteforte said: “Richard is a great athlete and we were delighted that he was able to take part in this year’s marathon.

“He has been a fantastic ambassador for disabled athletes and disability sport in Rome. We were delighted for him running a personal best in our race.”

Whitehead, a multi-skills coach and Sport England sporting champion for the East Midlands, has his sights firmly set on London. He said: “I am running in London for the second time and I am really looking forward to it. My running technique is getting better every time I run and I am aiming to better my time in Rome.”

Preparations for Whitehead include taking part in the Georgia Marathon in Atlanta, USA at the end of March.

12 MARCH 2008 - RICHARD TO WEAR LEGENDARY No.11 BIB AT THE ROME MARATHON

Richard Whitehead will wear the No.11 bib in the 2008 Rome Marathon on the 16 March.  The number was made famous by Abebe Bikila who Gold in the 1960 Olympic Games Marathon.  Bikila's Gold Medal was all the more remarkable as he won the race running barefooted.

2 March 2008 - RACE RESULT - KILIMANJARO MARATHON, TANZANIA

Richard finished the Kilimanjaro Marathon, Tanzania in a time of 3 hours 58 minutes.  The marathon was Richard's first in a Third World country.  More here

1 MARCH 2008 - DIARY UPDATE - MARCH APPEARANCES

March 2 - Kilimanjaro Marathon, Tanzania
March 9 - London/Silverstone Half Marathon
March 16 - Rome Marathon
March 30 - Georgia Marathon

1 FEBRUARY 2008 - OSSUR LAUNCH RICHARD WHITEHEAD WEB BLOG

Richard Whitehead Prothesis sponsor Ossur UK launch a dedicated web blog keeping customers up-to date with Richard's running career.  Read more by visiting Ossur UK

20 July 2007 - ROME MARATHON 16 MARCH 2008

Richard Whitehead is delighted to accept the invitation to take part in the 2008 Rome Marathon.  During the marathon Richard will be attempting to break his personal best time of 3 hours 52 minutes and 58 seconds.  more here

24 June 2007 - Richard Whitehead finished the Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban's Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Sunday. His finishing time was 9hrs 54min 27secs and was placed 4148 in a field of 11500 plus runners on the day.  more here

7 June 2007 - THE INVINCIBLE SPIRIT OF THE HUMAN RACE  Whitehead on his way to Comrades Ultra-Marathon, 17 June 2007     more here

1 June 2007 - NED BANK, RUNNERS WORLD - COMRADES PASTA PARTY.  Richard Whitehead will be speaking at the Night of Heroes event prior to the Comrades Ultra-Marathon on, 17 June 2007     more here

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