Derek Rae from Fife AC has successfully reached another milestone in his preparations for his next full marathon with a personal best of 70.06 at the 2017 Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Half Marathon in Glasgow.
The Kirkcaldy man is coached by Ron Morrison from St Andrews. The GB number one in the T46 class for athletes with an upper arm impairment finished in 15th position overall and lowered his half marathon time by an amazing 1 minute and 53 seconds. Last year in the same event Derek finished 27th overall.
Derek ran a personal best at the Virgin London Marathon in April this year of 2:33.24 and followed up with a PB of 32.32 at the City of Stirling 10K in September. To date coach and athlete are pleased with the continued progress as Derek builds up to his next full marathon and an attack on his 2017 London best performance.
Derek is a very committed full time athlete and if industry and commitment make champions then he is destined for the podium. Away from training Derek has become a peer mentor with Disability Sport Fife and last week he attended his first Coach UK workshop. Derek hopes one day to become a Scottish Athletics coach and inspire the next generation of young distance runners. Fife AC and Disability Sport Fife are already convinced he is inspiring many up and coming athletes of all ages and abilities.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife