Fife’s 25th Paralympian, Derek Rae from Kirkcaldy and Fife Athletic Club, finished second in the Haddington Half Marathon in a time of 1:13.36 in challenging conditions and over a course that Derek described as tough. Coach Ron Morrison was satisfied with the performance of his athlete.
Derek will compete for GB in the marathon in Rio in the T46 class where he is ranked UK number one. Derek will be GB’s only ambulant marathon runner in Rio. The Haddington event is one of several races lined up by coach Ron for Derek before he heads off to his first Paralympic Games. At the Alloa half marathon in March this year Derek ran 1:14.32 and in July he ran a personal best for 5000 metres of 16:05.31.
The opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games in Rio is scheduled for Wednesday 7th September and the Closing Ceremony Sunday 18th September. The athletics programme starts on September 8th and runs through until the final day of the Games. Derek will run his marathon on the morning of the closing ceremony.
Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife