She paid tribute to a legend
Gabby Logan halted coverage of the Great North Run in order to make a tragic announcement live on air.
The presenter was in Tyneside on Sunday covering the famous running race that is regarded as the biggest half marathon in the world.
After the programme was underway, a montage was played showing some of the most iconic highlights from the race since it was established in 1981, including shots of Mo Farah and Claire Lomas who completed the race wearing a bionic suit in 2016.
Claire was paralysed 17 years ago after falling from a horse, suffering a broken neck, back and ribs and punctured a lung.
Regardless of her paralysis, she raised £1 million for charity, and took part in the London Marathon in 2012 which took her 17 days to complete as she raised £220,000 in the process.
Sadly it was the news of Lomas’ death that Logan interrupted coverage for to announce.
After the montage Logan went on to say: “You may have recognised Claire Lomas in her bionic suit, which she wore to complete the Great North Run, having been paralysed in her sport, eventing.
“Well, it is very sad news I bring you that Claire died in an accident in Jordan a few days ago,” she added.
Logan went on to describe Lomas as an “incredible inspiration” while also promising a proper tribute would be paid to her later, alongside the Great North Run founder, Sir Brendan Foster.
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Lomas’ family announced her death last week in a statement: “We are absolutely devastated to lose Claire. We would ask people to respect our privacy in the coming days to allow us to grieve in peace.”
On X the Great Run said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the inspirational fundraiser, Claire Lomas MBE.
“Claire made history as the first person in the UK to walk with a bionic ReWalk suit, inspiring runners across the UK and beyond.
“Over the past decade, Claire completed many Great Run Series events alongside her dedicated support team, as part of an incredible fundraising drive, raising almost £1 million for charities.”
Chief executive of Great Run, Paul Foster described Lomas as a “true inspiration”.
He said: “Her achievement in completing the 2016 Great North Run was one of the most powerful moments in the long history of the event.
“Everyone at Great Run was devastated to hear of her passing, and we will pay tribute at next week’s Great North Run.
“Our thoughts and love are with her parents Martin & Joyce, husband Dan, and their two young daughters, Maisie and Chloe.”
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