Becky Coleman sets sights on becoming first wheelchair athlete to row Oxford–Cambridge course
Four miles of tidal river can feel long even to seasoned rowers. Now consider doing it without using your legs. That is the task Becky Coleman has set for herself. Next month, the 35-year-old plans to row the full Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race course on the River Thames using only her arms. No wheelchair user has completed the 6.8-kilometer stretch in this way before. For Coleman, the challenge carries weight far beyond distance or time. Just two years ago, she was fighting for her life. Sepsis left her unable to speak clearly, read, or manage simple daily tasks after she left the hospital. Recovery was slow and uneven. Crossing a road or writing an email became obstacles. The idea of competing in any sport, let alone attempting a record-setting row, felt distant. Becky Coleman plans to row the full Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race course on the River Thames using only her arms. (CREDIT: Richard Pohle) “It was exhausting, physically and cognitively,” she said. “It took a long time to build myself back up.” A different kind of …
