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Solent University alum and cerebral palsy sufferer Gus McKechnie will be completing 26.2 miles in the ABP Southampton Marathon on Sunday 22 April.

18th April 2018

Solent alum and cerebral palsy sufferer Gus McKechnie will be completing 26.2 miles in the ABP Southampton Marathon on Sunday 22 April.

Gus, who studied HND Business and Personnel and BA (Hons) Business Management at Solent, still trains with our wheelchair rugby team, the Solent Sharks.

Of his challenge, he says: “It can be easy to listen to the negative part of your brain that makes you think ‘I couldn’t possibly do that’. I want to show people that they can achieve so much more than they give themselves credit for, and I’d love to inspire people to do a marathon themselves.”

In addition to running around 5k every day, Gus has been using St Mary’s gym to assist with his training, working on his upper body strength. He hopes to complete the marathon in five and a half hours.

Gus, front, playing wheelchair rugby with Solent Sharks

While Gus can go without crutches or a wheelchair most of the time, his condition – which includes hemiparesis – means he has less function in the left hand side of his body. When pushing himself too hard, he can need some assistance; as such he will be using hiking sticks to assist him throughout the marathon.

Nikki Rees, Managing Director of event organisers Rees Leisure, says: “We can’t wait to see Gus on 22 April. He optimises the spirit of the ABP Southampton Marathon – showing that sport is for everyone.”

Gus aims to raise £550 for Weldmar Hospice in Dorset by completing the marathon; you can sponsor him on JustGiving.

Solent University is proud to be the official education partner of the ABP Southampton Marathon - follow us @solentofficial to track the progress of #TeamSolent over the weekend.