Chichester resident breaks both arms on extreme obstacle race

One Chichester resident faced a devastating end to an obstacle race when she fell onto concrete '“ breaking both her arms.
Hayley McCarthy before the Spartans race.Hayley McCarthy before the Spartans race.
Hayley McCarthy before the Spartans race.

Hayley McCarthy, 24, from Whyke Road, had signed up for the Spartan Race in London’s Olympic Park after four months of training.

However, disaster struck on April 9 when Hayley reached the second obstacle of the 5k course.

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She said: “Everything was going fine until I got to the monkey bars which where about 8ft high.

Hayley McCarthy broke both her arms on the second obstacleHayley McCarthy broke both her arms on the second obstacle
Hayley McCarthy broke both her arms on the second obstacle

“When swinging across I slipped off and hit both of my arms on solid concrete.

“There was no protection on the ground, even though other obstacles had softer landings underneath.”

Hayley had broken both her elbows and has since been told she won’t be able to fully extend both her arms again.

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“The pain wasn’t the biggest thing for me – it was more disappointing I didn’t get to finish the race.

She added: “I wanted to prove to myself that I could complete it.”

But despite the huge setback, Hayley has already started to think of her next challenge.

She said: “Once I have recovered I’ll be back at the gym training again, whether that is for another obstacle course or marathon I am not sure yet.”

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