Top eventer Ros Canter trades four legs for two to tackle the London Marathon

Ros Canter, Olympic Gold Medalist eventer, running the London Marathon for Spinal Research (credit: Charles Owen)

World number one eventer, Ros Canter, is set to take on the iconic London Marathon this April in a bid to raise crucial funds for Spinal Research, with a special focus on supporting her friend and fellow international rider, Saffron Cresswell, who was paralysed from the chest down after a devastating fall last year.

Ros, who has achieved immense success in the equestrian world, including winning Olympic gold and the Burghley title in 2024, is swapping her riding boots for running shoes to help raise awareness of spinal cord injuries. She is taking on the marathon in support of Saffron, who was severely injured during the cross-country phase of the under-25s National Eventing Championships at Bramham Horse Trials in June.

The 23-year-old from Malvern, Worcestershire, broke her back in two places and sustained significant spinal cord damage during the fall. Reflecting on the moment she realised the severity of her injury, Saffron said: “When I instantly couldn’t feel my legs, I understood straight away what was happening and potentially how bad it was.”

Despite the life-changing injury, Saffron remains determined to adapt and forge a new path forward. “I feel I’ve always known Ros. Last winter, I went for a two-week training stay with her and mentioned that I’d love to run the London Marathon and we decided to enter the 2025 ballot together. I got the news I hadn’t got in the day I arrived at Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre to begin my rehab. Ros has been incredibly supportive throughout and it’s brilliant that she’s entered to raise funds for Spinal Research. It’s been really hard, going from being so fit, focused on my career and doing what I love to facing a very different future, but I’m positive and determined to find new goals and purpose.”

Ros, a keen runner in her youth, is making the most of her training opportunities, squeezing in runs around her busy schedule.  The London Marathon will be a special milestone for Ros, who has long dreamt of completing the race. She said: “Saffron and I both entered the ballot and wanted to run it together. Neither of us got a ballot place but, after her accident, I really wanted to do something to support her and to raise money and awareness around spinal cord injuries. Saffron is absolutely incredible. I have nothing but admiration and respect for how she has been able to pick herself and look forward to new challenges. She’s exceptional and a real inspiration.”

Spinal cord injuries can happen to anyone and, every two hours, someone in the UK is paralysed through this kind of injury. Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding research to find effective treatments for paralysis, is at the forefront of life-changing developments. With functional restorative treatments now entering human trials, there is hope that a cure for paralysis could be within reach.

Chief Executive of Spinal Research Louisa McGinn said: “Saffron is genuinely an inspiration and we are delighted that Ros is taking on the London Marathon in support of her and as part of Team Spinal Research. Today, for the first time, we are in touching distance of function-restoring treatments for people paralysed after a spinal cord injury and so every single donation brings our vision of curing paralysis a step closer.”

To support Ros in her London Marathon challenge and help raise vital funds for Spinal Research, visit her fundraising page: Ros Canter JustGiving.