McCoy facing up to gruelling London Marathon challenge

Sir Anthony McCoy is no stranger to pushing his body to the limit, but this time he will be doing so without a saddle, as he tackles the London Marathon in aid of the Matt Hampson Foundation.

The 20-times champion jockey was well known for his feats of endurance and steadfast resilience during two decades dominating the weighing-room standings, but it is the fate of one of his great friends from that time that is inspiring the daunting 26.2 mile challenge.

A self-confessed non-runner and past the half-century mark in age, McCoy has often found himself questioning the decision to undertake this mission while pounding the pavements of Lambourn in preparation for his April 26 jaunt among the masses around the capital.

However, any moment of self-pity is soon washed away when reminded of the life-changing spinal injury fellow Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee suffered in a fall at Newcastle in November 2023.

Always viewed as racing’s ‘Mr Indestructible’ during a career like no other, McCoy said: “When I ran 10 miles for the first time I did think ‘what am I thinking’, but in lots of ways when you think you are having a tough time and have issues and problems, you look at Graham Lee and Matt Hampson, they can’t scratch their own face.

“It’s to raise money for the Matt Hampson Foundation and they are so good to Graham Lee and they help so many people like we have in racing that need care.

“Matt Hampson is so good to Graham Lee and has been in the same situation for 20 years and I know he has helped Graham a lot.

“I’m not a runner, I ran a half-marathon about a year and a half ago for the IJF (Injured Jockeys Fund) which wasn’t too bad, but I’m not sure I’m in love with the idea of a full marathon. There’s a bunch of us pushing Matt in the wheelchair so there is not a target, but it’s still a lot of running.”

The Matt Hampson Foundation inspires and supports young people seriously injured through sport and as McCoy alluded to, has played a key role in assisting Lee since his career-ending injury, with the 50-year-old a regular visit to the state-of-the-art Get Busy Living Centre in Leicestershire.

It was while visiting Lee at the centre that McCoy was first persuaded to take part in the marathon as part of the team accompanying Hampson, who will complete the course in a bespoke racing chair adapted to carry the former rugby player’s ventilator.

Now one of racing’s most decorated names hopes his marathon endeavours can highlight the essential support the Matt Hampson Foundation provides to those in need.

The William Hill ambassador explained: “I’ve been up to Matt Hampson’s a lot and when Matt and a few of the lads there said they were doing the marathon I joked and said ‘of course you are, in your chair’ and then decided I would do it with them.

“When I have been running there have been times I’ve thought ‘I’m nearly 52 surely, I’ve better things to do’, but then you just remember why you are doing it and hopefully it will raise good awareness for them.

“When you think you have tough things in your life, you really don’t compared to these lads. Graham goes every five or six weeks to the centre and when he’s there I will normally go and see him.

“It’s not the most convenient place to ever get to, but when driving there I think to myself, (at least) I can drive.”