Teenager undeterred by her disability after marathon effort

Jess Green, who is 18-years-old and lives on Barbrook Lane in Tiptree, has learning difficulties and a unique genetic mutation which affects her balance.

She had previously had to travel as far as Stoke Mandeville to go handcycling, before Northern Gateway Sports Park opened in April earlier this year.

But, as chance would have it, the very first time Jess Green and her mother turned up to the sports park, they bumped into someone else with special needs using the facility.

That’s when they were told about the Superhero Challenge – the only disability sports series in the UK – and very soon they decided to sign up.

The Superhero Challenge involved Miss Green completing a marathon on her handcycle over a four-week period from July 17 to August 14 – quite the challenge given the furthest distance she had previously completed in a similar time period was seven miles.

Jess Green’s mother, Rebecca Green, explained how they set about achieving the 26-mile target.

She explained: “Superhero Series gave Jess four weeks to complete the marathon.

“We had to go to the cycling track two times a week, whereas normally Jess would go a couple of times a month.”

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Miss Green’s physio had described her as having “a Paralympic mentality” such was her commitment to reaching the 26-mile mark – and it’s a mentality she exemplified perfectly on the days when she slogged through the rain at the sports park.

Her mother said: “One time when Jess was doing laps of the track, the weather was dreadful and we were soaked through, but she was just utterly determined to do it.”

Jess battled through the elements at Colchester Northern Gateway's cycle track

And her efforts culminated on Sunday afternoon, when she completed her 26th mile with dozens of spectators watching on and waving chequered flags.

Mrs Green said: “We were so lucky, because we were just expecting grandparents to see her finish, but we had 35 people there and every time another person turned up with a finishing flag, Jess burst into tears with emotion.

“She needs help doing a lot of stuff, but she asked everyone to get off the track for the last lap so she could do it independently.”

“And as soon as she finished, she said “sign us up for the next one!” which is in November.”

The challenge in three months’ time will be quite different, however – and a lot more difficult.

Rather than travelling a marathon distance using a handcycle, Miss Green will instead be doing a triathlon in different stages over a prolonged time period.

The challenge will entail a 400m of swimming, 10km using the hand-bike, and 2.5km in a self-propelling wheelchair.

“Each event will take two attempts,” her mother explained.

“We signed her up for the triathlon the other day, and even this morning she couldn’t believe she had signed up for it.”

Mrs Green filmed plenty of footage of her daughter’s exploits at the cycling track, and sent it through to Channel 4, which runs a television series called Superhero Tri.

The programme, presented by Clare Balding, features participants with disabilities – referred to as Superheroes – take on unique disability sporting challenges with celebrities.Jess received a medal, as well as the congratulations of numerous well-wishers as she completed her marathon on Sunday

With the Paralympics on, the source of inspiration won’t stop there.

“We went to the 2012 Paralympics in London,” Mrs Green said.

“Jess was so inspired by the GB wheelchair hub caps that we hat to get matching ones.

“But apart from anything else the Superhero Challenge has given her purpose and independence.”

And according to the superhero herself, the most rewarding part was “seeing people and getting a medal.”