A WORLD champion athlete is calling on race organisers to make marathons more accessible for people with disabilities.

As a visually impaired sportswoman, former World and European Paratriathlon Champion Charlotte Ellis has overcome many obstacles to achieve success in her field.

After being denied the opportunity to partake in some sports at school, she went on to develop a love for running at university and quickly became a celebrated paratriathlete before deciding to focus her efforts on marathon running.

Since taking up the sport, Ms Ellis has been shocked by the amount of hurdles set in her way by race organisers who she believes are failing in their legal duty to ensure access and equality for athletes with disabilities.

She says it is becoming harder, rather than easier, for her to compete in major races due to “growing problems” with accessibility.

Along with other competitors, Ms Ellis has encountered a number of difficulties when applying to take part in marathons and runs across the UK.

She is now calling on race organisers to consider the variety of disabilities within athleticism and provide appropriate access as required under the 2010 Equality Act and the England Athletics Rules.

The Redcar woman has had to repeatedly quote legislation to organisers who breached it by refusing her a place as a visually impaired athlete and has struggled to gain places in races for guides she requires to accompany her.

Ms Ellis said visually impaired people are sometimes made to start races with the masses, or at the back, meaning they are then forced to run into a large crowd, on routes already littered with water bottles and debris. Reopening roads before all runners are finished can also cause a hazard to those with sight loss.

Criticising widespread inconsistencies in the organisation of major races and marathons, she said there should be more awareness of the difficulties and obstacles faced by visually impaired athletes.

Ms Ellis said the application process was often rendered needlessly onerous, adding: “I’m having to jump through hoops just to get to the same point as everybody else.

“We shouldn’t have to tell someone they’re breaking the rules before they’ll even start to consult them.

“A marathon is already a big undertaking for someone with a disability, who has to consider all kinds of practicalities.

“I’d like to see more accessibility so that this process becomes more supportive and encouraging, I’m a big believer in working together to make society better for everyone.”