Donegal woman to break 5k race record on crutches

A Donegal woman is attempting to become the fastest woman on crutches on the planet.

Nikki Bradley is already known for her tremendous bravery and appetite for life.

Despite having an extremely rare form of bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma, the 29-year-old recently abseiled down the iconic Fanad lighthouse.

Now she wants to become the fastest woman in the world on crutches to run 5k.

Nikki said: “I am excited to get stuck in.

“I have been on crutches for many years so, in a way, I have been training for this for a long time without even knowing it.”

Nikki received news from the Guinness World Book of Records in July that her application had been accepted.

She is now against the clock as she is due to have serious surgery on her hip on September 22.

The operation means that Nikki will be in recovery and out of action for months.

Nikki unofficially smashed the record on May 9, beating the current time by 15 minutes and 11 seconds, but wants to repeat it and break her own record.

Her previous attempt was 44:19 but she hopes to do it again in 40-41 minutes.

“I would love to shave a few minutes off my original time but it will be hard to keep the pace going as my shoulders and hands will likely become tired and stiff.

“I hope to zone out and power on through despite any discomfort. The rewards will outweigh the pain. I can’t wait, bring it on.

“People ask me why I push myself so much but I just love the challenge and pushing myself as far as I can,” she said.

Nikki said she gets a second glance from people “at last 20 times a day” because of her disability. “I am used to it and it doesn’t bother me now,” she said.