News
27/02/2008
Leader plans London Marathon record – on stilts
A fun-loving Bedfordshire Leader plans to make the record books when she competes in April’s London Flora Marathon. For the 22 year old will be running the 26 miles 385 yards on four-foot high stilts and into the Guinness Book of Records.
Beaver Scout Leader Michelle Frost first started stilt walking as a stunt at a Scout Jamboree when she was 12. She confessed: ‘I regularly fell over during ballet and tap dancing lessons so it was quite a thrill to find that I had this hidden talent for walking on stilts.’ She soon progressed to six foot stilts, regularly appearing at local summer fetes.
Last year, at the 21st World Scout Jamboree, she was made a member of the elite stilt walking unit and spent two weeks displaying her eye-catching talents. She said: ‘That was when I realised I could take on the London Marathon.’
Back at home in Bedford her elder sister, Samantha, gave her an added reason to compete. Sam was born with no right hand and has spent a lifetime coming to terms with the disability, with dedicated support from the Cornwall-based charity REACH. Michelle was determined to show her gratitude by sponsoring the charity during her marathon. She hopes to raise over £1000 during her record breaking attempt.
Her gruelling training schedule includes early morning stilt walks around nearby Stewartby Lake. With a grin she admits: ‘It leaves me with a few bruises and blisters but they soon heal.’ Next month her training reaches a climax with a 13-mile run at Silverstone on 9 March and a Sports Relief Mile event in Manchester the following weekend.
Her Beaver Scouts at the 101st Kempston Scout Group take great delight in marching through her legs when she wears her stilts. They will be encouraging her all the way on marathon day, Sunday 13 April.
But before then her sights are set on more marathons. She has already been invited as a special guest to compete in the Luxembourg ING Marathon on 3 May. Her family thinks she’s mad but they are also secretly admire her dogged determination to succeed.
If you would like to sponsor Michelle visit: www.justgiving.com/rainbowdave
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