Student to start city's charity 10k race

Tristan Boedts (centre) will start the race on Sunday

A student who last year took part in a charity race through Oxford will start it for the thousands of people competing in it on Sunday.

Tristan Boedts, 28, has limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), which causes muscles to weaken over time, but has taken on intrepid adventures, including hiking to Mount Everest's Base Camp.

The PhD student, who is studying behavioural science at Warwick University, will start the Bidwells Oxford 10k.

The race is held in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK, which seeks to help the 110,000 people in the UK living with one of more than 60 muscle-wasting and weakening conditions.

The first was held in 1982, inspired by a local boy, Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy.

"I like to push myself, academically, personally and physically," Mr Boedts said.

The student said he want to show that people with LGMD and other types of muscle-wasting conditions "just want to live normal lives".

"Normality is often robbed from us, not because of our condition but because society isn't built to accommodate us," he said.

"Imagine trying to travel by train without using stairs or doing food shopping in a wheelchair. That's why supporting charities like Muscular Dystrophy UK is so important.

"Not only are they helping to fund research into new treatments but they also advocate for the community when it comes to issues like accessibility."

He said living with his LGMD was difficult and that his condition would deteriorate over time.

"I feel lucky to be able to walk in events like this. Lots of people with LGMD, or other types of muscle wasting condition, are not able to do so," Mr Boedts said.

"I have friends who have the same condition but are not able to walk anymore. I know they would love to do something like this but they can't.

"However, they still show such resilience and strength. I will be thinking of them on Sunday."