Mountain biker Tory Thomas (MT Beauty, Vic) defied all odds to win the first National Marathon Championships in Toowoomba last week. In early 2005, the 28 year old was hit by a car, suffered serious back and pelvis injuries and told by specialists she would never ride again.
Thomas won in 4.55.35 a full 3 minutes ahead of Commonwealth Games rider Emma Colson, 37 from Melbourne. The pair had ridden side by side for three-quarters of the race until Thomas took off on one of the final climbs. “In March I had a screw taken out of my back by my lovely surgeon," she said immediately following the race. "I had no power in my left leg. I was constantly cramping. The cramps today paled in comparison to what I used to get.
