Special Olympics City of Hull athlete Angus Leckonby is setting his sights on new Guinness World Records at two of the nation’s premier endurance events, all whilst raising vital funds for people with intellectual disabilities.
The 22-year-old from Octon, near Driffield, will attempt to become the youngest and fastest male with an intellectual disability to complete a marathon when he participates in the TCS London Marathon on 27 April. Later in the year, Angus aims to break similar records during the two-mile swim at London’s Swim Serpentine event on 20 September.
Sponsor Angus
Angus, who is autistic and lives with verbal dyspraxia and an intellectual disability, is dedicating his efforts to raise £10,000 for Special Olympics Great Britain (GB); the national charity that transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sport.
“Sport has played such a big part in Angus’ life for the last 10 years,” said his Dad Matthew Leckonby. “His PE teacher at Kings Mill Special School in Driffield spotted his talents in swimming as a 12-year-old and things escalated from there.
“It’s changed his life and proved to him that, despite his intellectual disability, he can compete alongside anyone at mainstream national competitions.”
Angus’ journey in swimming took him to last year’s Speedo Aquatics GB National Swimming Championships, at the London Aquatics Centre, where he competed in the 400m Freestyle Mixed Class race. Since then, he has joined Wolds Triathlon Club and Yorkshire Wolds Runners and honed his skills in running and cycling.
He’s done so much swimming over the years and competed regularly in Special Olympics GB and mainstream competitions across the country. However, he had previously done very little running, but he’s been working hard and is very dedicated, training four times a week, in addition to at least four hours of swimming.
“He completed his first 5K Park Run at North Yorkshire Water Park last April and completed the Dalby Forest Half Marathon last month in under two hours.”
“If RideLondon weren’t on hiatus this year, Angus would be attempting the 100-mile cycle event as well, aiming to become the first person with an intellectual disability to complete all three London Classics in a single year. That’s a goal for next year!”
Angus is a dedicated member of the Special Olympics GB community, having started his swimming career in York before transferring to the Special Olympics City of Hull club. Every Saturday, he trains at Woodford Leisure Centre.
Outside of sport, he works in the family businesses, Angilou Genuine French Furniture and Angilou Upholstery Ltd, and is pursuing an apprenticeship at North Yorkshire Water Park, where he also does open-water swimming during the summer.
“Angus is a visual learner who excels through repetition, which has been key to his success in both sports and work,” Matthew added. “To think he could end the year with Guinness World Records titles is beyond inspiring.”
Funds raised by Angus will help Special Olympics GB continue providing life-changing opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across England, Scotland, and Wales. The charity supports over 6,600 individuals through 98 accredited grassroots clubs, offering access to 27 sports.