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He mentioned that he never imagined he would participate because he considered himself ‘such a selfish person’.
However, legendary jockey AP McCoy, 51, has announced that he will compete in next year’s London Marathon to honor his close friend Graham Lee.
Jockey legend AP McCoy has changed his mind and committed to running the London Marathon – to help raise funds for a charity that has supported his close friend Graham Lee after a devastating fall.Credit: PA
Grand National champion Lee, shown here in the early stages of his recovery, expressed that he would trade every one of his nearly 2,000 victories just to hug his wife Becky, as well as their children Amy and Robbie again.
The pair were close friends during their riding careers, with McCoy winning the champion jockey title 20 times, while Lee reached the pinnacle of jump racing with his victory in 2004.
However, their lives have taken drastically different directions since then.
Currently, Lee is paralyzed from the neck down after being unseated from a horse at Newcastle in November 2023.
The exceptionally talented jumps and Flat jockey, who also won the Ascot Gold Cup, sustained severe spinal injuries and a broken neck, drastically altering his life in an instant.
Lee spoke courageously to the BBC and Racing TV recently about the profound impact the fall and injury had on him and his family.
He mentioned that he would give up every victory he ever achieved just to be able to embrace his wife Becky and their two children once more.
It is Lee’s situation that has compelled McCoy to break his previous promise and announce, for the first time, his participation in the London Marathon.
He will join tens of thousands of participants in England’s capital on Sunday, April 26 next year, with the goal of raising funds for charity.
One charity in particular, the Matt Hampson Foundation, founded by the former rugby star who was paralyzed after a scrum collapse in 2005, holds special significance for the former jockey.
After being discharged from the hospital, Lee went to Hampson’s rehabilitation center in Leicester, where he was greeted by both Hampson and McCoy on the day of his arrival.
Hampson will also participate in the marathon, and McCoy will run alongside him in his wheelchair.
When reflecting on the effects of Lee’s injuries, McCoy stated: “I never, ever had any desire to run a marathon.
“I always believed that as a jockey – being such a selfish competitor – I thought, what was the point if you’re not going to win?
“Honestly, I had no interest in doing a marathon or anything like that.
“But now that I see what Matt has accomplished, not only for Graham but for countless others over the past two decades, my perspective has changed.
“What’s a little discomfort, a bit of hardship for me, if it means Graham is sitting in his chair, either laughing or crying at us, feeling a bit of pain while I push Matt for 26 miles?
“What do I have to complain about?”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is AP McCoy running the London Marathon?
AP McCoy is running the London Marathon to raise funds for the Matt Hampson Foundation, in honor of his close friend Graham Lee, who suffered a life-changing injury.
What happened to Graham Lee?
Graham Lee was paralyzed from the neck down after being unseated from a horse during a race in November 2023, resulting in severe spinal injuries and a broken neck.
What is the Matt Hampson Foundation?
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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