Claire Lomas to receive trophy for completing London Marathon

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has bowed to public pressure and announced that Claire Lomas will receive a special trophy for completing the London Marathon.

Claire, 32, is due to complete her “crazy challenge” – completing the London Marathon in a special robotic suit – on Tuesday, 8 May.

She is walking in aid of Spinal Research, and passed her target of raising £50,000 earlier this week. Her Just Giving page currently stands at just over £74,000.

But because Claire will have missed the 24-hour cut-off for finishing the marathon, she will not receive an official medal.

Supporters – including Olympic rower, Sir Matthew Pinsent – have called for an exception to be made.

Sir Matthew, who walked with Claire last week tweeted: “I would really like to think that someone who ran this year’s VLM would feel happy to give their medal to Claire Lomas.”

Dozens of runners plan to meet Claire at the finish line next week, to give her their medals.

Earlier today, Sir Richard Branson announced that he would present Claire with the Virgin Trophy for 2012.

He said: “We treasure amazing acts of bravery, especially ones that raise money for charity – and Claire’s marathon is certainly that.

“We launched the trophy to recognise men and women who go that extra mile, who challenge themselves beyond normal human limitations.

“We would be honoured to present Claire with the Virgin Trophy for 2012,” he added.

The past two recipients of the trophy are John Isner, the player who won the longest tennis match in the history of Wimbledon, and The Seagulls, an all-women crew who rowed unaided around Britain.

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