About Me

Young boy proudly holds up multiple medals he has won.

My Journey

Born and raised in Nottingham in the UK with a double through-knee congenital amputation, I developed a passion for sport at an early age. My parents encouraged me to participate in sports and taught me to live a life without limits.

In 2004, I dreamt of marathon running and signed up for the New York Marathon, having never run a mile. Spurred on by the death of my best friend Simon, who we lost to an aggressive form of bone cancer, and inspired by amputee Terry Fox, who died while attempting his own running challenge across Canada, I knew I wanted to run to challenge myself and to raise awareness and funds for Sarcoma. At that time, I had no prosthetic running legs and was running on my knees using sports cups, which was extremely grueling and painful. Fortunately, at the 11th hour, only 13 days before the New York Marathon, Ossur learned about my story and fitted me with my first running blades, enabling me to successfully complete my first marathon.

Driven by a desire to compete in sport as a professional athlete on the world stage and push boundaries, I was selected for the ParalympicsGB team as a sledge hockey player at the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games in Turin.

Paralympic athlete celebrating with British flag after race.

Paralympic Success

Having experienced the pride of representing my country in the winter games, when news of London 2012 broke, I was eager to compete in marathon running on home soil. To my great disappointment, I was informed by the IPC that my disability was not eligible for competition, and despite writing to address this lack of equality, they refused to allow me to race.

Undeterred, I focused on re-training and aimed to compete in the T42 200 metre category as part of the ParalympicsGB team. Crossing the finish line victorious, I dedicated my gold win to my friend Simon, who had always supported and believed in me.

After London 2012, I retained my gold medal at Rio 2016, and also earned silver in the T42 100m. Additionally, I have achieved four World Championship titles in the 200m.

In 2019, I had the honour of captaining the team at the Dubai Para-Athletic World Championships, and I secured silver in the postponed 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo in the T61 200m. Today, as a motivational speaker, I continue to share my journey and inspire others in the realm of athletics.

Fastest Amputee Runner In The World!

Since that very first marathon in 2004, I've gone on to complete over 100 marathons all over the world, and in October 2026 finished the Chicago Marathon in 2:38:49, setting a new World Marathon Record for athletes with bilateral knee amputations, breaking my own previous record. This achievement came after I shattered my own world record at the Milano Marathon and then just two weeks later surpassed this at the TCS London Marathon.

Chicago now stands as the fastest marathon of my career - and the fastest ever recorded by a bilateral amputee athlete. The record also marks a symbolic return to the city where I first set a world-leading time in 2024.

My achievement in Chicago follows an extraordinary 2025, during which I completed 20 marathons across the world, concluding in New York, the city where my marathon journey began in 2004. But for me, that milestone was never a finish line, it was a foundation for what came next.

Children playing outdoors, high-fiving an adult.

Believe Achieve!

Breaking a world record in Chicago means so much to me. This city has been part of my journey for years, and to run 2:38:49 here feels like the result of every lesson, every setback, and every ounce of belief I’ve carried.

Records are special, but what matters most is showing others what’s possible. If my performance helps even one person rethink their own limits, then that’s the real victory.

My mission has never been solely about times or titles, every race is an act of representation - a statement about possibility, inclusion, and the belief that everyone has untapped potential.

Across my athletic career and advocacy work, I champion the belief that sport is a powerful catalyst, one that breaks down barriers, promotes wellbeing, builds community, and drives meaningful social change.

Charities & Community

In 2021, I launched The Richard Whitehead Foundation, where I serve as the president, focusing on empowering disabled people's ambitions through sport and physical activities across the UK. As an inclusion consultant, I strive to create a more accessible environment for all.

Additionally, I am honoured to be the patron of various charities, including Footprints Conductive Education Centre and Ann Craft Trust in Nottingham, as well as Sarcoma UK. I actively support numerous charity and community projects through fundraising initiatives, public appearances, and social content, harnessing my experiences as a motivational speaker to inspire others.

In April 2026, I was announced as Mental Health UK's newest Ambassador, a role I embraced to help break down stigma and encourage more individuals to reach out for support when needed. My passion for marathon running also plays a role in my advocacy, showcasing that determination and resilience can lead to transformative change.