Broken hip won't stop Shaw councillor competing in half marathon (From Swindon Advertiser)

Coun Keith Williams to tackle half marathon with broken hip

12:51pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Matthew Edwards

DESPITE a freak accident which led to Coun Keith Williams fracturing his hip, he will still be hopping on his bike to compete in the Swindon Half Marathon this weekend.

The cabinet member for leisure and strategic transport, is still showing his support for the event as he prepares to take part in the two-mile fun run.

Keith, who is a keen athlete, was competing in the Highworth Triathlon on September 16 when the accident happened.

He was in the bike stage of the event and came off going around a corner near Hannington.

“I was doing about 20 or 25 miles an hour around a corner when I felt the back wheel go out,” he said. “I landed on my hip and heard a crunch which turned out to be a fracture.

“Passing cyclists asked if I was okay, and after about 45 minutes and ambulance turned up which took me to Great Western Hospital.

“Getting me on to the stretcher was when the pain kicked in, it was really teeth grinding and near unbearable.”

The accident left Coun Williams needing major surgery to repair the damage and his left hip is now held together by a hip screw and he has a plate and several screws at the top of his femur. But the accident has not deterred him from taking part in the race on Sunday.

He has taken part in the half marathon twice before and this year will compete in the fun run using a handbike supplied by Swindon Council’s Sports Development Team.

He said: “I have got a wheelchair at the moment so I have been putting a bit of practice in to see if I could do it.

“I think it would be difficult doing the half marathon in a wheelchair because of the long uphill drag from the start and the curbs.

“I am looking forward to the race but, even though I consider myself fit, you have to use completely different muscles to when you are running.

“The half marathon has become one of the highlights on the calender and I am delighted it has secured sponsorship to continue past this year.”

Today is the last day to register for anyone wishing to take part in this year’s event and you should call the registration line on 01793 465401 or log on to www.swindonhalfmarathon.co.uk.