Veteran sets Manx wheelchair London Marathon record

An army veteran who took part in the London Marathon in his wheelchair said crossing the line was "all the more special" because he knew he was the first person from the island to complete the feat.

Mike Ryan finished Sunday's 26.2-mile (42km) endurance race in just under six hours and four minutes despite struggling with a shoulder injury which prevented him from training for the event.

The 52-year-old said he loved taking part "for different reasons all at the same time".

"It's knowing that you can still do something and stick it out, and also it's being in something that's so iconic as the London Marathon, being part of that, that's really special as well."

Injured while serving in the Royal Engineers in the 1990s, Mike has taken on challenges to show people what those with disabilities can achieve.

The marathon follows on from his completion of the equivalent distance of the Isle of Man's Parish Walk on a hand crank machine in June last year.

He said that although he had not been sure if his body would "be able to actually get me around" during Sunday's marathon, it had "held up enough".

"I mean my shoulders were sore, my hands were sore, my legs were rubbing against the side of my chair, but you know what the atmosphere helps take away some of that pain."

"The stamina felt on point," he said. "I was really surprised with my energy levels."

Mike said finishing the race was "just a big swell of happiness and achievement and it's just a really good feel good time".

He said while it was great to have been the first from the island to do it, he would "love somebody to go out next year and beat the record".

"I just want to see guys and girls going out there and proving to themselves and others that this is what they can do," he said.

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