By Deanna Harris
After two years of training former equestrian international and tetraplegic, Catriona Williams is about tackle her biggest challenge yet – the New York Marathon.
Ms Williams and her group of 25 supporters are leaving Masterton today on route to New York for the iconic marathon.
“It is my first and last marathon,” says Ms Williams, who has been training for about 12 hours every week.
“I still can’t believe this is actually about to happen, it’s definitely the most physical thing I’ve ever attempted.”
“The marathon is the ultimate sporting test and there’s going to be something magic about doing my first one in New York.”
The idea to take part in the 42km marathon was born two years ago.
“I was at a dinner party with friends and after too much wine we all thought it was a good idea to do the marathon,” says Ms Williams.
She was the only one keen on the idea the next day but two from that party have since joined and are part of her 25 strong support team.
Eight-years-ago Ms Williams was in a riding accident which left her a tetraplegic.
In 2005 she started a charity The Catwalk Trust which has raised over $1.5 million for scientific research into a cure to help everyone with spinal cord injuries.
In New Zealand alone, we have 1 new Spinal Cord Injury every 5 days.
Through the efforts of Ms Williams and her support team, more than $200,000 has already been raised through this event for the trust.
“It is a tremendous, tremendous, tremendous effort,” says Ms Williams.
Ms Williams has faced more challenges than most to get to the starting line.
“Being a little physically challenged, getting in and out of the bike takes two people.”
So she has had to time her training rides up Wairarapa Roads with two strong people.
On most of her ride has been her training companion, a chocolate lab called Billie.
“He loves coming on the ride. He is waiting for me every morning.”
Ms Williams is not the only New Zealand sporting personality attempting New York 2010. Double equestrian gold medallist Mark Todd went into training for the event, only to be forced out with a leg injury but he will still attend to support Williams.
“In equestrian terminology, I suppose you could say I’ve been ‘vetted out’ but after seeing how hard Catriona has trained, I couldn’t not be there,” says Mr Todd.
Former league international Tawera Nikau will also start alongside Ms Williams, seven years after losing his leg in a motorcycle accident.
The New York Marathon is on Sunday, November 7.
3 News