International Women’s Day – Sophia Warner

Paralympian, Mother, Superhero Series founder, Legend.

Every International Women’s Day we love to celebrate all the women we admire in cycling, fitness and disability advocacy. This year, we’re spotlighting a friend and hero of ours Sophia Warner.

Sophia has cerebral palsy and was the first person with a disability to enter the London Triathlon back in 1998.

“Even as an elite athlete I found it hard to keep up and had to ask other participants for help with my wetsuit and to get my bike down from the bike rack. I’ve also taken part in fun runs where the roads have reopened and organisers have started clearing up before I’ve had a chance to finish. Not as much fun as it could be.”

Fast forward to the 2012 Paralympics and 16 years of hard work and dedication saw Sophia run a lifetime best in her 200m in front of 80,000 people and finish fourth in both her 100m and 200m.
Sophia retired from elite sport after the World Championships in 2013. She can now be found doing triathlons among other sporting challenges!

In 2017 Sophia founded and still runs Superhero Series, the only mass participation sports series dedicated to the 14.4 million people with disabilities across the UK. Now in its fourth year, the televised series holds four annual events and currently has Marvel as its headline sponsor.

“My own experiences combined with meeting so many sports lovers like my wonderful ambassadors who are crying out for opportunities are the inspiration for this series.
The idea is simple. To create fun, gutsy events where people with disabilities call the shots and don’t have to worry about cut-off times or equipment restrictions. If you need flippers or floats in the water, or want to use your powered wheelchair we make it possible. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, anything goes.
For my first event I’ve chosen triathlon challenges because swimming, cycling and running are the three most popular disability sports. But I don’t want people to be put off by the word ‘triathlon’. You can do a whole triathlon if you wish, but you can also choose to do just one or two stages as a relay with disabled and non-disabled family and friends”.

We at Get Cycling are super excited to be announced as the exclusive specialist cycling partner for the Superhero Series powered by Marvel in 2023.

Sophia says that she loves the idea of creating a series where people with all kinds of disabilities can come together and compete alongside like-minded individuals who face similar daily experiences and challenges.

“I know first-hand what a hugely positive impact sport can have on a person’s life and I believe everyone should have the chance to enjoy momentous and often life-changing events.

“If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll sign up and take the plunge!”

We love Sophia and her ultra-inspiring can-do attitude – a bonafide “Make Stuff Happener”

If you want to get involved in this year’s Superhero Series then sign up and save the day! And if you need a a cycle, please let us know.