KCFSC Assists Fife Marathon Runner
Kirkcaldy paralympian Derek Rae has been putting the finishing touches to his preparation for Rio this week.
The 31-year-old is flying to Brazil where he will be joined by two other Fife members of Team GB – Alison Patrick (Paratriathlon) and Kieran Steer (Boccia).
Derek, who runs with his right arm in a sling after suffering nerve damage in a motorcyle crash in 2010, is looking forward to competing in the T46 marathon. “I really can’t believe this is happening,” he said. “I am completely overwhelmed by the support I have had from the local community through e-mails, text, and phone calls and I also appreciate the support from the Sports Council.”
Derek visited Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre last week where he met both the chairman and secretary of Kirkcaldy and Central Fife Sports Council, Alistair Cameron and Ken White. Alistair presented Derek with a cheque for £250 in recognition of his achievement and so that he can purchase personal equipment to help him continue his development in marathon running.
Derek said: “Once Rio is over I will definitely be continuing and hopefully retain my place in Team GB. “I enjoy training, I am not afraid of hard work, I want to succeed and hopefully that will allow me to keep on improving.”
Derek will have 10 days in Rio to acclimatise prior to his race, which proceeds the closing ceremony on Sunday, September 18, and will do some light training in the village during that time. He will be joined in Rio by his wife, Susan, three days prior to the race, which is the final event of the Games. It will then be on to the closing ceremony and both will fly home the following day.
Alistair said: “The Sports Council is very pleased to be supporting Derek. “He has certainly worked hard and is an excellent role model for any youngsters involved in sport. “We are happy to support all our affiliated clubs and their members in any way we can.”
The Kirkcaldy and Central Fife Sports Council Annual General Meeting will be held in Fife College, Kirkcaldy on Thursday, September 29 at 7pm. Alistair added: “I would urge any club that is not affiliated to come along and find out what we can offer.”
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