Teen with rare form of cerebral palsy takes on tough Spartan 5k Sprint challenge and wins – Belfast Live

A teenager with a rare form of cerebral palsy has proved there is 'no such thing as cant' after finishing a gruelling Spartan 5k Sprint.

Jake Crossley, 17, has had difficulties with his energy levels, mobility, balance, posture and hands because of Hemiplegia since birth.

But the young warrior battled through the limited movement he has on his right side after being inspired to take part after his dad, Kevin, qualified for the World Championship in Greece in 2019.

Jake said: My dad has taken part in a few Spartan events and they always looked really fun.

It was when he came home from the event in Ashton Down with his medal that made me decide that I wanted to take in one myself.

He told me that if I wanted my own medal then I needed to earn it!

Jake, his dad and mum Claire Crossley all signed up to take part in the 5km Sprint event in Dublin with Jakes 12-year-old sister Caitlin earning her medal on the Spartan Kids event.

But there was a lot of work to do before the event, which includes challenging and exciting obstacles like spear throws and barbed wire crawls.

So the Portadown , Co Armagh lad built up his strength and stamina with conditioning training alongside his mum and a personal training coach.

In no time at all, he was doing 35kg sumo dead lifts.

This particular exercise was of great benefit when it came to some of the weight lifting obstacles, explained a proud Claire.

Jake crossed the finish line at the Spartan event earlier this year with around 2,400 others, proving anything is possible if you put your mind to it. And he did his way.

He said: I absolutely loved taking part. My favourite part of the course was definitely the mud and water obstacles.

The course was really challenging, and it feels amazing to have completed it.

Parts he found particularly difficult were the balance beam and any hand grips but he said, my mum and I worked as a team to achieve these.

It was good that everyone in my family was able to take part, he added.

Jakes dad Kevin said he and his son are now planning to take on more Spartan events.

Next up for him personally is the Stadion event that is taking place at Twickenham Stadium.

But he added: Spartan has a race for everyone. Make sure you train, have fun and remember anything is possible - just do it your way!

If Jake has inspired you to give it a whirl, CLICK HERE for information.

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Teen with rare form of cerebral palsy takes on tough Spartan 5k Sprint challenge and wins - Belfast Live