Runner with Down's syndrome invited to New York race

Video caption, Lloyd Martin says anything is possible
  • Author, Eirian Jones
  • Role, 大象传媒 News

A teenage runner with Down's syndrome has been invited to take part in races across the globe.

Lloyd Martin, 19, made history as the youngest person with a learning disability to complete a marathon when he took part in the London event in April, setting a Guinness World Record.

Since then, he鈥檚 received invitations to run the New York Marathon, the Paris Marathon, and the Great North Run in Newcastle.

But Lloyd was disappointed to miss out on competing in his family鈥檚 hometown event, the Cardiff Half Marathon in October, due to a late application.

Everything changed on Thursday morning when Lloyd and his mother received a surprise invitation, live on 大象传媒 Radio Wales, to participate.

鈥淲ow, my hometown,鈥 said Lloyd.

Image source, Family Photo

Image caption, Ceri and Lloyd at the start of the London Half Marathon in April

His mother and running guide, Ceri Hooper, 54, added: 鈥淗ow amazing is that. Thank you so much.

"He鈥檚 speechless, grinning from ear to ear.鈥

Ceri, who represented Wales in cross-country running as a teenager and has completed the London Marathon four times, said: 鈥淲e got our applications in too late.

"Lloyd鈥檚 aunties and uncles are running it too, so it was gutting."

Video caption, Runner with Down's syndrome gets youngest record

The family, originally from Cardiff but now living in Surrey, said the response to Lloyd setting a record has been overwhelmingly positive.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just mad. We鈥檝e been recognised in airports, locally, or just walking down the road," said Ceri.

鈥淓veryone comes up to Lloyd to shake his hand and ask for selfies.

鈥淚鈥檝e become his full-time PA overnight, it makes him so happy."

Lloyd will take part in the Great North Run in August, followed by the Paris Marathon in November, and the New York Marathon in April 2025.

鈥淲e are very excited,鈥 said Ceri. 鈥淲e鈥檝e started planning our trips and booking flights. We can鈥檛 wait to go.鈥

Training is in full swing for Lloyd, who increased his running regimen to three times a week in July.

When asked for advice for aspiring marathon runners, Lloyd said: 鈥淎nything is possible. Look after people, your loved ones, and people with disabilities.鈥