The unbreaking of a record-breaker

Long-distance record-setter Christina Mackenzie tells us about her biggest challenge yet - returning to racing following a devastating hit-and-run crash

- Trevor Ward

As Christina Mackenzie crossed the finishing line of the UCI World Championship Gran Fondo road race in Scotland earlier this month, her mind flashed back to a fateful day from last September. “It was broad daylight and I was wearing hi-vis,” says the 46-year-old. “They must have seen me, yet they had no regard for my life.” Mackenzie is referring to the SUV driver who collided with her and left her lying in the middle of a dual carriageway near Kippen in Stirlingshire, her pelvis broken in two places. The driver did not stop and has never been traced.

At the time of that ill-fated training ride, Mackenzie’s season was winding down after an eventful 14 months during which she had broken two major records: Land’s End to John o’ Groats, setting a time of 51 hours and five minutes, and the North Coast 500, with a time of 36 hours and 39 minutes. “I had my last race of the season coming up that weekend and was looking forward to a holiday the following month,” she says.