Kirkcaldy-born runner Derek Rae finished ninth in the T46 marathon on Sunday, just months after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back. The Fife AC athlete crossed the line in a season’s best time of 2.47.04.

Rae, who only began to train more seriously as a marathoner as part of his recovery from a motorcycle accident in 2010, told Paralympics GB, “I’m proud of myself for getting to the start line.” 

“There was a doubt in my mind as to whether I’d compete but it was an honour to get here and represent ParalympicsGB.

“I ran pretty much the whole race on my own and I wouldn’t have got through it were it not for the crowds. They’ve given us such a warm welcome here.”

Sunday’s run was Rae’s second time on the start line of the Paralympic marathon, after logging his first and last ever DNF at Rio 2016. Rae, not adequately acclimatised to the punishing heat and humidity of Brazil, dropped out after 18.5 miles.

The 35-year-old  added: ‘Rio has motivated me since it happened, it never left my mind. It was a demon but the final nail is now in that coffin.’

Since the disappointment of Rio, Rae has worked hard on his fitness, winning silver in his category at the 2019 World Marathon Championships with a sub-2.30 personal best performance (2.27.08). 

Rae made his GB debut in 2014, and was named scottishathletics Para athlete of the year in 2018.  

Image: Paralympics GB