From the Highlands to the world stage: Richie’s story

Wednesday 18th December 2024

Photo: John O’Neill

Richard (Richie) Collins is a Para athlete from Fort William.

In an athletics career that has spanned almost four decades and counting, he represented Great Britain at two Paralympic Games and two World Championships, winning five medals, and held the World Record in both the 800m and 1500m for his classification for several years.

From a local club in the Highlands to the world stage, Richie’s story shows what is possible when clubs can be open, inclusive and welcoming to all.

We’re delighted to share his journey in the sport . . .

Richie has cerebral palsy and as a child enjoyed running and playing football, but when his sister joined a local running club in Weymouth, he was disappointed that, due to his disability, the club weren’t interested in taking him on.

The family moved up to Fort William a few years later, and in 1986, impressed with his running ability and speed, a football coach asked a then 18-year-old Richie if he could run a mile in seven minutes – runners were being sought for the Queen’s Baton Relay for the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

Richie was nominated for this honour and in fact ended up running two miles when another runner dropped out. His two escorts for the Relay, Alan Ingram and Roger Boswell, were members of Lochaber AC and they suggested that Richie join the club, where he was immediately made to feel very welcome.

He started competing and really enjoyed it, regularly running with the senior men in the Grampian Athletics League.

In 1994, he ran the 800m and 1500m in the Scottish National Championships and, following this, was approached by the late Janice Eaglesham MBE (Para athletics coach and co-founder of Red Star AC), who suggested he should get involved in Para athletics.

Now training six days a week, Richie and his dad, Alan, would travel to Glasgow to train with Janice twice a week, staying over in their caravan.

Richie’s international career began when he was selected to compete at the Berlin World Para Championships in 1994, coming away with a silver medal in the 1500m.

With the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games on the horizon, Richie started training for sprints, as the 800m and 1500m weren’t an option for his classification at that time. He was selected for the Games and won two bronze medals in the T34-35 400m and the T34-37 4x100m Relay, as well as fourth place in the T35 100m and T34-35 200m. An amazing achievement for a middle-distance runner.

In 1998, Richie competed in the World Para Championships in Birmingham, winning bronze in the T36 400m and gold in the 4x400m Relay.

His next goal was the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, and Richie and Alan were still travelling each week from Fort William to Glasgow to Edinburgh, training with both Red Star AC and Edinburgh AC.

At Edinburgh, training with Bill Walker, he was the only athlete in his training group with a disability, but he was made to feel incredibly welcome and part of the team. The 800m for his classification had now been introduced at the Paralympics and Richie was selected for both the T36 400m and T36 800m, finishing sixth and seventh in those events.

Now aged 56, Richie still trains six days a week, weather permitting. He runs with Lochaber AC one evening a week, and can often be seen on the streets of Corpach with dad Alan as his pacemaker on the bike. He is a regular participant of the Fort William Parkrun and takes part in the winter series that the club organises.

Both his club and his community has been very supportive of Richie and his achievements. After Atlanta, Richie marched through the town with the local brass band to scores of people on the streets applauding him. He also takes his medals into the local schools to show pupils, highlighting that even if you have a disability, with the right support, you can still take part in sport.

He has also had incredible support from his family, with his dad selling the family B&B to allow Richie to become a full-time athlete. Alan also credits a lot of Richie’s success to the fantastic coaches and the support received from both Janice Eaglesham and Bill Walker, and later, John De Courcy.

Running has made a huge difference and impact to Richie’s life – he is physically stronger and fitter and mentally more confident. This year, Lochaber AC made Richie a life member for his services to Para athletics and his long-term achievements with the club.

Many thanks to Richie and Alan for taking the time to talk to us.

With thanks to Francesca Snitjer and Lindsay McMahon

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Tags: Features, Para athletics