Tributes have been paid to a Carluke athlete described as “one of Scotland’s best ever” after he passed away.
Mark Telford, who sadly died on May 15, was a successful wheelchair athlete with many honours, including winning the Great North Run in 2016.
The 40-year-old was involved in a crash during a bike race when he was 18, which led to a spinal cord injury and life in a wheelchair.
Three years later he met Tanni Grey Thompson, who competed in the Paralympics, and trained him to race in his chair.
Mark took up wheelchair racing and a good run of form saw him become one of the top athletes in Britain, before taking a break from the sport.
He was part of Team GB and carried the torch for the Commonwealth Games in Perth.
Mark was laid to rest in Holytown Crematorium in Holytown on Monday afternoon.
A scottishathletics spokesperson said: “We were saddened to learn of the passing of Para athlete Mark Telford.
“The Carluke athlete was an excellent wheelchair racer, one of Scotland’s best over the years, and enjoyed a number of successes including a win in the 2016 Great North Run Wheelchair event.”
Mark also worked for Halfords, repairing bikes and buggies and frequently visited The Gym group in Hamilton, who also paid tribute to him online.
They said: “Mark was a very big personality within our gym community and will be greatly missed.
“A true athlete and gentleman.”
