Ben Rowlings
Paralympic Athlete
About Me
I am proud to be one of the leading British wheelchair racers and the fastest T34 athlete
ever in Britain over the 200, 400, 800, 1500 and 5000m distances
I grew up in Newport Shropshire with my parents, Pete and Claire and siblings Harry and Sophie (who made everything as competitive as possible). I then moved to Scotland in 2017 to go to university in Stirling. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, which is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain at birth. It meant that I would find tasks like walking extremely difficult and often use a wheelchair to get about. Growing up sport played a massive part in my life from competitive afternoons in the garden with my brother to a brief swimming career which was abruptly ended by a chlorine allergy.
Growing up in Shropshire, I was born with Cerebral Palsy
I found wheelchair racing in 2011 and then moved to Edinburgh in 2017
I currently hold the World record for the T34 5000m (12.02.00)
Discovering My sport
I found wheelchair racing in 2011. Through the help of my friends, family and the coaches that have helped me along the way, Ian Mirfin and Job King I have been able to become 2x European Silver medallist in Berlin 2018. I am also lucky enough to be T34 European record holder over 800m (1.39.12), 1500m (3.13.00) and currently hold the World record for the T34 5000m (12.02.00), after making my Paralympic debut in the Rio games in 2016.
Outside of sport I am currently at university studying to be a secondary school teacher, as well as enjoying public speaking in particular school talks and answering some of the very open questions you get!
Making my Paralympic debut in the Rio games 2016
Career Highlights
Below is a summary of some of the key achievements of Ben’s career to date
2014
European Bronze medal T34 400 & 800m
2015
4th IPC World Athletics championships 800m
4th IPC World Athletics championships 400m
2016
Competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games:
European Bronze medal T34 400m
European Bronze medal T34 800m
European Bronze medal T34 100m
2017
European Record T34 400m (51.83)
European record T34 800m (1.39.12)
European record T34 1500m (3.13.00)
World record T34 5000m (12.02.00)
6th IPC World Athletics Championships T34 800m
5th IPC World Athletics Championships T34 400m
2018
European Silver medal T34 800m
European Silver medal T34 400m
2019
European Silver medal T34 800m
European Silver medal T34 400m
British Record T34 200m (27.51)
British Record T34 400m (51.65)
8th T34 400m IPC World Athletics Championships
7th T34 800m IPC World Athletics Championships
Ben Rowlings Race Schedule
Swiss Invitational: 29th – 30th August 2020
British Championships: 5th – 6th September 2020
Team Ben
Without the massive support network around me, I wouldn’t be able to turn up on the start line in the best shape possible
Claire, Pete, Harry, Sophie
I wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of my family. They’ve supported me from the start (when I really wasn’t very good). Although I don’t see them as much as I would like to know living and training in Scotland, you’d often still be able to hear them shouting over the top of the commentary at big events.
Girlfriend
Alice
Alice is the person who makes sure I have the right food when I get home from training, support with the bad days and the good ones. Alice has been a massive part of my support network since I moved to Scotland in 2017.
Coach
Ian Mirfin
Ian has coached me 2017 and has been at every international competition since. He oversees the structure of all my athletics programmes and is often the calming voice before a big race.
Sports Therapist
Matt McKenna
Matt is my go-to therapist when I am competing for Stirling University, I would be incredibly sore without his help at competitions. If you’re needing a sports therapist for any injury check him out at McKenna Massage Therapy
Scottish Institute
of Sport
I am fortunate to get support from the Scottish Institute of Sport. The institute work with me and my coach to help plan strength and conditioning sessions, nutrition advice, physio, sports psychology. Without the support of the institute I wouldn’t be going into each competition in the best shape.
Public Speaking
Public speaking is something I really enjoy doing and over the last 8 years I have been lucky enough to talk to a wide range of audiences from schools, to sports groups and businesses.
Contact Ben to arrange in person events for your business or organisation
Sponsors
Wheelchair racing is an expensive sport due to the nature of the specialised equipment needed, specific training and travel to important competitions. I am massively grateful to all of my sponsors for all the support they have given me.
If you are interested in sponsoring me please get in touch by email to [email protected]
Any support would be greatly appreciated. In return for sponsorship I can offer: Athlete appearances, social media promotions etc.
Ben is one of the leading British wheelchair racers and the fastest ever T34 athlete in Britain
News
Read about latest news and press releases from Ben Rowlings and local publications.
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Ben Rowlings content to wait for Tokyo
“The Tokyo Paralympics may have been postponed by a year – but Shropshire athlete Ben Rowlings is determined to focus on the positives.” Read the full article from the Shropshire Star….
27 May, 2020
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Help Linlithgow wheelchair racer fulfil his Paralympic dream
“Linlithgow wheelchair racer Ben Rowlings is appealing for local businesses to help send him to the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, after starring at the World Championships.” Read the full article from the Linlithgow Gazette….
29 November, 2019
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Linlithgow-based athlete Ben Rowlings can’t wait for World Para Championships
“An athlete now living in Linlithgow is looking forward to starring for Team GB at next month’s World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.” Read the full article from the Linlithgow Gazette….
11 October, 2019
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Shropshire wheelchair racer Ben Rowlings looking to enjoy European Championships
“With nerves quashed and the first race under his belt, all Shropshire’s Ben Rowlings wants to do is enjoy the rest of his World Para Athletics European Championships.” Read the full article from the Shropshire Star….
23 August, 2018
Contact Me
I love talking about my sport and all the experiences I have had so far so if you would like to send me a message please use the form below and I will try to reply quickly. Please be patient as there may be times that I am away training/ competing abroad and I will not have access to the messages, but I will do my best to get back to you as fast as possible.