Karen delighted with super silver

The former Calder High School pupil, who finished second in Wednesday’s H1-2 time trial, is going for yet more glory tomorrow (Friday) when she goes in the H 1-3 road race from 10.30am at Brands Hatch.

Karen said: “I guess I secretly hoped I could get a gold but it’s a really, really good result for me.”

The 41-year-old, who got the Calder Valley’s fist Paralympic medal when she finished just behind the USA’s Marianna Davis with a time of 33:16.09 in the gruelling time trial, thanked her fans for their magnificent support.

On her Twitter account, she added: “THANK YOU!!!! To all of you out there who’ve helped on this Paralympic journey. So happy with silver spurred on by your messages & cheers!”

The news of Karen’s success has been met with cheers of delight in her home town of Mytholmroyd.

Luddenden Foot Ward Councillor Richard Marshall said: “I am absolutely delighted. She must be absolutely thrilled to bits.

“Her mum and dad must be absolutely delighted and it’s good for the Calder Valley to be able to celebrate some Paralympic success.”

Karen, 41, now lives in Inverness, but her parents Mike and Christine still live in the Calder Valley.

In the past, she has had medal success at the hand cycling World Cup and World Championships.