From scoliosis surgery to the London Marathon: a Hertfordshire runner's incredible journey
The 26-year-old is taking on her fourth marathon, overcoming adversity in sport
A 26-year-old runner from Hertfordshire is today taking on her fourth marathon - just over a decade on from a major spinal surgery.
When she was 13, Claire underwent a life-changing medical procedure to correct a severe curvature in her back.
The condition, and subsequent operation, left her with rods either side of her spine and minimal ability to bend her back—making conventional athletic pursuits particularly challenging.
At the time, Claire believed sport might not be possible for her.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she said: "I thought I just never would see myself as part of sport.
"But the competitive side of me and the person that wanted to prove everyone wrong wanted to give it a go."
Claire ran her first marathon in over seven hours—an experience she said was as a struggle.
That experience led her to reassess traditional training plans and develop an approach better suited to her body and mindset.
Unable to rely on typical core exercises due to her spinal fusion, Claire found alternative ways to prepare.
But Claire also points to the psychological challenge of marathon running.
She said: "It can take quite a lot of confidence to actively say that everyone else around me is doing 'this' pace and to have the confidence to actually just run your own race."
This year, Claire is running in support of Sense, a charity that promotes physical activity among people with complex disabilities.
"They work with disabled people and slightly less disabled people, and with promoting physical activity, getting out, not necessarily running, but getting outside and active," she said.
In just a few hours, like tens of thousands of other runners, Claire will set off for 26.2 miles in the capital, championing resilience, adaptation and perseverance.
"When you cross that line on Sunday, it doesn’t have to be the end. ’Cause if I thought that first marathon was the end, then I wouldn’t be here—and that’s the bottom line of it," she added.
You can find Claire's fundraising page here.