South Australian-born parathlete Michael Roeger smashes record, becomes marathon royalty in London

He came, he saw, he conquered — and had a brush with Prince Harry while doing it. In just his second marathon, South Australian-born parathlete Michael Roeger smashed the T46 world record in a memorable day in London.

He came, he saw, he conquered — and had a brush with royalty while doing it.

South Australian-born parathlete Michael Roeger has won gold at the London Marathon in the T46 classification by beating his own world record in a time of 2:22:51.

Roeger’s previous marathon world record was set at the Melbourne Marathon in October last year, when he ran it in a time of 2:23:31.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, made a surprise appearance at the London Marathon — which incorporated the World Para Championships — to hand out medals to the winners. In the T46 class, medals were handed out to Derek Rae of Great Britain (second), Michael Roger of Australia (first), and Abdehadi El Harti of Morocco (third). Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images.

Roeger holds three running world records: the marathon, the 1500m and the 5000m in the T46 class, for single above elbow/single below elbow amputation or similar disability.

The 42.1km London Marathon incorporated the World Para Championships and Roeger went into the race keen to win an athletics gold medal — an accolade missing from his extensive trophy cabinet.

His gold medal was handed to him by dad-in-waiting, the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry, who made a surprise appearance at the event adding to speculation as to when his pregnant wife, Meghan Markle, would give birth to their first child.

The 30-year-old Roeger, who was born in SA’s Langhorne Creek, thanked his supporters on social media.

“World champion. World record. 2.22. A lot happened out there today … will fill you all in soon. Thanks for all the love and support. #grateful”

World champion, World record. 2.22.
A lot happened out there today.. will fill you all in soon. Thanks for all the love and support. #grateful https://t.co/yCGaipCkPP

— Michael Roeger (@michaelroeger) April 28, 2019

One of the most special moments 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/48pxEz21X2

— Michael Roeger (@michaelroeger) April 28, 2019

Roeger headed to London well prepared for the mental — as well as physical — challenge that awaited.

“Everyone can do the training, but to fight the demons in your head when you’re at the 35km-mark and you’re hurting and your body is screaming telling you to stop, you’ve got to find something to give you the will to finish,” he told The Advertiser before he flew to London.

“I’ve been doing a bit of work with a sports psychologist at the Australian Institute of Sport and she’s given me a few techniques and ways to overcome that, which hopefully I can rely on in the marathon.

South Australian-born Michael Roeger on his way to winning the men’s para race during the Virgin Money London Marathon on April 28, 2019 in London, England. Picture: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Winner of the World Para marathon T 45/46 category Michael Roger of Australia, shares a special moment with Britain's Prince Harry during the presentation ceremony at the 39th London Marathon in London. Picture: AP Photo/Alastair Grant

“But I know that when I’m hurting everyone else is going to be hurting too and I think I can overcome that and find that little bit extra.

“I’m going into the race as the fastest on paper, but it’s a marathon, it’s a long way and anything can happen.”

The Canberra-based athlete overcame tibia stress in his shin bone in January to spend February and March putting in some of his biggest kilometres training-wise.

Roeger now sets his sights firmly on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Originally published as South Australian-born parathlete Michael Roeger smashes record, becomes marathon royalty in London