“FOR ME, IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT SHOWING WHAT’S POSSIBLE - DEMONSTRATING THAT DISABILITY ISN’T A BARRIER”

Richard Whitehead is a Paralympic legend. With two Paralympic gold medals and a host of international honours, he's now on a mission to complete 20 marathons in 2025. Rob Kemp caught up with the great man to find out his motivations

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Two-time Paralympic Gold medallist and world record-holding marathon runner Richard Whitehead MBE is on a mission to complete 20 marathons in 2025, finishing with his 100th in New York. Born with a double through-knee congenital amputation, Richard, 48, runs with prosthetics and has redefined endurance limits for disabled athletes. Through the new audio running guide: In Bioglan Balance Running Series, Richard shares insights on training, recovery, mindset, and motivation - encouraging a more rounded approach to wellbeing. Speaking to Men’s Fitness, on the eve of the London Marathon he reflected upon his marathon journey, his evolving strategies, and the power of running to unite and inspire.

Men’s Fitness: You've got a packed calendar this year. How are you staying on top of your health while running so many marathons around the world?

Richard Whitehead: The big thing for me is immunity. I’m constantly on planes and trains - this year alone, I've already been to America multiple times, to Dubai, and all over Europe. That amount of stress on the body, combined with running 26 miles at a time, can really hammer your system. Supplementation has become key for me. I work with Bioglan on products that support both performance and general wellness. These keep me feeling robust even when the schedule is full-on.

MF: What’s your approach to supplementation as an athlete with a demanding schedule?