A woman who survived a 150-foot fall from a cliff while fleeing an attacker in Thailand has completed the London Marathon. Hannah Gavios, a 33-year-old psychotherapist from Queens, New York, suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury in the incident nearly ten years ago. She took up marathon running to prove that her disability would not stop her from achieving her goals, and London marked her first marathon outside New York.
Gavios said: 'There's always a way. Anything you set your mind to, you can accomplish.' She was among several inspirational final finishers who received a hero's welcome at the event on Sunday.
Taiwo Fabusiwa, a 26-year-old business administration apprentice from Croydon, south London, also completed her first London Marathon. Living with cerebral palsy, she was pushed in a wheelchair by four participants. Fabusiwa said: 'If I can do it, you can. Get support around you and just do it, it is a wonderful thing to be part of.'
Luke Escreet, 37, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, ran his first full marathon in memory of his grandmother, Lynne, while raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. He said: 'As long as you get over the finish line, that's the goal. It's just amazing to see what everyone has achieved.'
The trio were among the last to finish, supported by CLIF Bar's 'Team Finish Together' group. Bianca Harvey, marketing director at CLIF Bar, said: 'Our purpose isn't just to fuel a race, but to fuel that incredible human spirit of triumph and personal accomplishment.'
