Hannah Taunton

Started: She took up the sport at high school in Taunton, England, and joined Taunton Athletics Club at age 12. Having specialised in cross-country and half marathons, she began focusing on track events in 2015. (bbc.com, 01 Sep 2021; tauntonac.org, 05 Sep 2021; somersetcountygazette.co.uk, 28 Sep 2019) Reason: Her running talent was spotted by her physical education teacher, who suggested she join the local athletics club. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk, 28 Sep 2019) Additional Info: NON-PARA COMPETITION She has competed regularly against non-Para athletes in Great Britain. "All of the races I run in this country are with people who do not have learning difficulties [speaking in 2019]. I have to listen very hard for instructions at the beginning of races but I find it easier to be shown how to do things than to listen. Most people don't realise that I have a learning disability, until they get to know me, because I don't have a physical disability. I find it very hard when someone speaks to a whole group as I don't always understand and then it is embarrassing to ask in front of everyone. I prefer to have things written down in an email or text as I have to have time to think about it or ask someone to explain it." (britishathletics.org.uk, 13 Jun 2019)