Teenager with Down’s Syndrome Makes History in London Marathon

A teenage runner with Down’s syndrome, Lloyd Martin, at 19, has made history by becoming the youngest person in his learning disability category to complete the London Marathon. Guided by his mother Ceri Hooper, who hails from Cardiff, Lloyd’s achievement was recognized by Guinness World Records with a special certificate at the finish line.

Ceri, a former cross country and track athlete who has also run the Boston and Chicago Marathons, mentioned that Lloyd’s accomplishment was a representation of his dream and highlighted the importance of breaking barriers for individuals with Down’s syndrome.

With support from Special Olympics GB, Lloyd, a gymnast and footballer with the organization, completed the marathon after training rigorously for just five months, surpassing his previous longest run of 22.5km in the event. His feat marks a significant milestone for people in the intellectual impairment category.

In the elite races of the London Marathon, Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir set a new world record of 2:16:16 in the women’s only category, with other notable runners such as Tigst Assefa, Megertu Alemu, Joyciline Jepkosgei also achieving impressive times. Alexander Mutiso Munyao claimed victory in the men’s event, beating the legendary Kenenisa Bekele among others.

The marathon witnessed outstanding performances from athletes like Emile Cairess, Mahamed Mahamed, Marcel Hug, Catherine Debrunner, and others, setting the stage for an enthralling competition.

While celebrating the success of the athletes, a moment of remembrance was also observed for the late winner of the 2023 London Marathon, Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away in a road accident. The spirits remained high as the event showcased resilience and excellence in the world of long-distance running.