12 July, 2022
In this podcast we talk to Claire Danson about her journey from winning able-bodied age group in triathlon to becoming a parathlete.
Winning her age group triathlon in 2019, Claire suffered a horrific accident, colliding with a tractor whilst on her bike. Airlifted to hospital and on initial assessment, they weren’t really sure what was next for Claire.
Paralysed from T5, so no sensation or movement from nearly half-way down her back and below a lot of people may have wondered how she could bounce back from this.
Claire had a goal that helped her through all the appointments, surgeries, consultations and sometimes even just getting up and getting dressed in the morning. She wanted to compete again. When talking to Claire you could see it in her eyes, the fire is there to race and we’re excited to watch Claire’s journey.
We talk to Claire about her journey from the accident through to rehab and how that progressed into more training and then racing again. We also talk about parathlete racing in triathlon and what that experience is like if you’re considering getting into parathletics.
We hope our conversation with Claire inspires you.
To follow Claire's journey, head over to Instagram and follow @cdanson10
Enhance your outdoor experience with dryrobe®
Designed to let you get changed anywhere, the dryrobe® Advance is an essential piece of kit for outdoor adventurers who need to stay protected from the elements.
The dryrobe® Advance is like having your own portable changing room, where the oversized design gives you plenty of space to get changed in and out of your sports gear. Versatile enough to be worn as a jacket on those chilly race mornings, or sitting by the campfire in the evening.
Made from 100% recycled fabrics, the waterproof and windproof outer protects you from the elements, whilst the super warm lining will keep you toasty pre or post run.
From surfing, wild swimming to triathlon, paddleboarding or even walking your dog in torrential rain, the dryrobe® Advanced is for everyone.
Claire became European Champion in her age group for Triathlon in 2019. That same year she was aiming to gain her Professional Racing Licence but unfortunately a collision with a tractor during a training ride resulted in her sustaining a spinal cord injury.
The injury left her paralysed from the waist down and ended her Triathlon career. Three years later, Claire is training hard and now an aspiring Para-Athlete, already competing and winning medals again.
To follow Claire's journey, head over to Instagram and follow @cdanson10
Outside & Active is the home for those who love the outdoors. Our mission is to inspire, inform and educate people about being active outdoors in a fun, safe and sustainable way. We provide inspiration, kit, tech and advice on adventure, camping, climbing, cycling, hiking, running water and winter.
Most recent articles by Outside & Active
The team from Revive Active tell us all about CoQ10, something you may never have heard of, and how it could benefit your running fitness.
Britain’s walking charity the Ramblers is calling on the UK government to remove all unnecessary barriers within the next five years. Shining a spotlight on the path barriers faced by those with disabilities or limited mobility, the walking charity’s goal is to see improvements to the path network to make access to nature more inclusive for all.
Did you miss out on attending this year's National Outdoor Expo? Or simply feeling the blues from the show and want even more EXCLUSIVE content? The National Outdoor PodShow is the one-stop-shop for those who love the outdoors.
Most recent articles in RUNNING
The team from Revive Active tell us all about CoQ10, something you may never have heard of, and how it could benefit your running fitness.
Shokz and the UTMB® World Series collaborate to allow runners to connect to the outdoors and enjoy an open-ear listening experience when exploring the trails.
An eco-adventurer who has previously rowed across the Atlantic Ocean and cycled from the Orkney Islands to the Isle of Scilly is aiming to set another world record.