Derek Rae from Fife AC has rounded off his most successful season to date with an excellent run on his first visit to Amsterdam for the Mizuno Half Marathon.
Derek represented Team GB at the Paralympic Games in Rio in the T46 class and in the Netherlands clocked 71.59 and 7th position overall, running from within the pack. An amazing end to a brilliant season where Derek has set personal best performances for 3K (9:19.98), 5K (15:46.04), 10K (32:32), 5 miles (26:09) and 10 miles (53.38), half marathon (70.06) and marathon (2:33.34).
Most athletes would be looking forward to a relaxing time after such a tough race but not the highly committed Fife marathon runner who has his short term sights on the 2018 London Marathon and longer term on gaining GB selection for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
The run in Amsterdam was yet another experience of competing overseas in a completely new environment. Coach and athlete now turn their attention to a winter of heavy weights, high mileage and cross country races all across the nation. In the words of the very talented Fife AC athlete “exciting times ahead.”
Derek’s wife Susan was in Amsterdam providing her usual exceptional support and even captured a brilliant image of Derek at the start of the Amsterdam race. Brilliant season Derek and best wishes over the winter from all your fans in Fife and beyond.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife