World Record attempt at Exeter track demonstrates no barriers in sport

A wheelchair athlete who had her leg amputated below the knee three years ago will attempt a new World Record in Exeter today.

Lexi Chambers, who lives in Exeter, is also an army veteran (Royal Signals) and a former NHS registered nurse. She suffers from two chronic pain conditions – Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS) and Fibromyalgia.

Three years ago she was forced to have her leg amputated below the knee because of the CPRS.

She will be wheeling herself around the Exeter Arena athletics track for 12 hours to raise £5,000 for The Aaron Lewis Foundation, a charity which assists military veterans and civilians in getting back into sports.

Lexi will also be using an everyday non-sports wheelchair, to demonstrate that sport and life holds no barriers.

Despite having the leg removed, the condition returned two weeks later, making her wheelchair dependent. Lexi said:

“When this happened, I did not want it to be the end of sport for me, so I adapted my expectations and found a way to participate in sport again, using what equipment I had.

“Last year I entered my first triathlon using my handbike and everyday non-sport wheelchair, which then led to a series of events, during which I managed to set two new world records, for the fastest female full and half marathons using a non-sport wheelchair.”

Since then she has completed seven events - two triathlons, four half marathons and a marathon, all using the same wheelchair.

Now Lexi is looking to break a World Record by wheeling around the Exeter Arena track for 12 hours continuously on Monday 21 August.

She’s in training for the big day and Exeter Leisure, the sporting arm of Exeter City Council, has allowed her to use the track for pre-event training.

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services and Physical Activity, said: “Lexi’s story is inspiring for everyone and we are delighted to be backing her in an attempt to gain a new World Record. She has shown remarkable character to battle back from major setbacks in her life and demonstrated how to overcome barriers and challenges in her sport and beyond.”

Lexi has a support crew of 13 people backing her on the day and in preparation. Currently there is is no World Record for a female, but Guinness have set a record for her to beat based upon the male record. She has to achieve 60km. “That’s not too bad on concrete, but very demanding on a tartan track, which feels like you’re wading through treacle!” said Lexi.

People can join Lexi on the track during the World Record attempt. “It will be more of a slow jog, than a run,” she stressed, “Twelve hours is a long time!” However she asks that people don’t go in lanes 1 or 2, as she will be using these and it’s really important that people don’t touch or shake hands with her, as this could invalidate the World Record.

Lexi added: “I am just one person who is trying to make a difference with what I have. I wish to motivate people to engage in sport, with what equipment they have. Especially with the current economic climate, where for the majority, expensive sports equipment is unobtainable. I am hoping to show that you do not need it to achieve your goals, whether you are disabled or not. It's about getting out there and having a go.”

You can donate to the cause on Lexi's Just Giving page. You can watch a livestream of Lexi's challenge here.