Jed Renilson 10k Road Race
Randolph Hill Sponsorship of Jed Renilson 10k Road Race
The world’s fastest male and female wheelchair racers and hand-cyclists wheeled into the Borders at the end of October to stage the Jed Renilson Wheelchair and Hand Cycle Race.
The leading UK event, sponsored by Randolph Hill Nursing Homes in memory of the Borders’ well-known disability sport coach, attracted some of the top names in wheelchair and handcycle racing over the past decade. It started with legendary GB star Tanni Grey Thompson, and her husband Ian, along with a new generation of talent who have become household names with the growth in TV coverage of Paralympics since London 2012.
The event in Jedburgh was making its return after a three-year pandemic-enforced absence and, within minutes of crossing the line to claim her fourth title, leading Scottish wheelchair athlete, Sammi Kinghorn, confirmed that she would be working with event organiser Graham Cook and the Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group to raise the profile of an event she hailed as the fastest in Britain.
“It’s probably the fastest 10K race in Britain and doesn’t get the publicity it deserves, so it’s my aim for the next few years to get more and more people of all ages and levels to come to the Borders and take part.
“There are so many places in Scotland where we have not yet broken down barriers to allow people with disabilities to take part in sport, but nobody needs to be an elite sports person. Sport is incredibly important for the mind and body, and just getting out and meeting people.
“That’s why I started. When I had my accident I felt very alone and didn’t know anyone in my situation. I started wheelchair racing because I wanted to get fit and meet people who understood what I was going through. Those are the real life benefits of events like this and I want to help others to have the opportunities I’ve had.”
The 25-year-old was supported by an extraordinary field of world-leading racers, including GB teammates and Paralympics and Commonwealth Games stars including overall winner; Sean Frame, Hannah Cockroft, Nathan Maguire and Ben Rowlings.
