THE record books will show that officially she came last in the 2019 London Marathon.
But no matter how you look at it, Mwangala Lethbridge is a winner in every way.
The mum of three from Crowthorne completed the 26.2 miles in ten hours and forty-five minutes.
But Mwangala, who lost a leg in an horrific motorbike accident, walked round the entire course using a pair of walking sticks.
When she finally crossed the finish line as the very last competitor, she collected her medal, knowing she had raised over £3,500 for the charity which helped give her a new life.
“I originally hoped to do just half the course, but when I did, I decided to train to make twenty miles,” smiled the 48-year-old former architect.
“After making twenty miles, I decided to try for one more and then I knew I could complete it, no matter how long it took.
“My wonderful sister, Notulu who runs marathons in really fast times, stayed with me all the way and was so encouraging. I couldn’t have done it without her.”
The cut off point for runners was 7pm after which they are classified as unofficial competitors who don’t receive a medal.
However, Mwangala was also encouraged by race officials who joined her on the last few miles of her mammoth journey.
“A car pulled up beside me with race officials asking me if I needed water and if I thought I could finish,” she added.
“I told them I would finish if it killed me. They were very supportive and cheered me on, encouraging me to keep going. I didn’t expect to receive a medal at the end because by that time, everyone has gone home.
“But when I reached the finish line, the officials were waiting for me and they gave me my medal. It was amazing.”
Mwangala was on a trip to Zambia to visit her family when she was involved in a motorbike accident.
The driver of the car who crashed into her was found to be drunk even though it was only seven o’clock in the morning.
She was medivac’d from Zambia to Kenya by Amref Health Africa’s flying doctor service, which she credits with saving her life.
Mwangala wears a prosthetic leg and was so grateful for the help she received from Amref Health, she decided to enter the London Marathon to raise funds to help other people needing the charity’s specialised care.
“I want to contribute to another person’s evacuation,” she added. “For two years after my accident I hid my leg, but it is not something I am ashamed of. I am alive because of charities like Amref Health Africa.
“They do amazing work which does not receive enough publicity.”
Mwangala is now resting at home with husband, Adam but has no plans to compete in any more marathons.
“I will never do a marathon again but I do want to raise more funds for Amref so I am thinking of other ideas.”
You can contribute to Mwangala’s fundraising efforts at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MwangalaMwendaLethbridge
