Shelly storms to Olympic silver

The St Annes-based wheelchair racer could not keep pace with Shirley Reilly up The Mall, as the American won in 1hr,46.33, but Woods showed admirable determination to hold off Swiss Amanda McGrory and finish in second place, a second behind Reilly.

It is a third Paralympics medal for the 26-year-old Woods, following the track silver and bronze she won at Beijing four years ago.

The Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC racer said: “I can’t describe how great it feels to have won silver at the end of such a tough week. It’s the toughest marathon I’ve ever raced.

“It hurts so much but I wanted the medal so badly after training four years for this.”

Woods, who missed out on medals in the 800m, 1500m and 5000m, can now look forward to a long-dealyed honeymoon in Mauritius with husband Chris.