Young runner with Down’s syndrome who danced his way through the New York Marathon reveals he has his sights set on Strictly

A young British athlete with Down’s syndrome who won hearts after dancing his way through the New York Marathon has been nominated for this year’s Variety Inspiration Award.

Lloyd Martin, 20, made history earlier this year when he became the youngest person in his learning disability category to complete the grueling 26.2 mile London Marathon. He also holds the record for the half-marathon.

Soon after, he sprinted straight into the hearts of crowds across the pond when he was filmed dancing his way through the New York Marathon route.

Heartwarming footage shows Lloyd busting moves to Rihanna’s 2007 hit Don’t Stop The Music on the streets of Manhattan – thrusting his hips and even jumping into the splits to the delight of the crowd.

‘I like dancing too much,’ Lloyd told FEMAIL. ‘This kid wanted to show that everything is possible.’

Lloyd, who lives in Camberley, Surrey, keeps his Guinness Word Record certificates in pride of place on top of his wardrobe and in the downstairs lounge ‘where everybody can see them’. 

His sporting prowess and joyous approach to running has earned Lloyd a nomination for the Inspiration Award at this year’s Variety Disability Sports Awards.

But with the prestigious nomination and two Guinness World Records under his belt, Lloyd is not stopping just yet.

When asked if he would consider going on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing off the back of comedian Chris McCausland’s success, Lloyd did not hesitate in saying yes.

‘Definitely,’ he told FEMAIL.

His mother Ceri Hooper laughed and added: ‘Dancing is his favourite thing but he’s very much a freestyler so I don’t know if his professional partner could handle him.’

Interrupting her, Lloyd said: ‘I also want to go on Britain’s Got Talent with my gymnastics and dancing.’

Even the thought of eating bugs on I’m A Celebrity did not deter the young man, who said he would do anything to meet hosts Ant and Dec.

On top of his reality TV aspirations, Lloyd has already signed up for next year’s London marathon.

Ceri, who is an avid runner herself, already knows she won’t be able to ‘tear him away from the music’.

Reminiscing on their second marathon together, Ceri said: ‘In New York, there were so many DJs and bands and choirs along the route and I think he stopped at every single one.’

During this year’s London Marathon, Lloyd stopped to do cartwheels and breakdance. He did the same at the New York Marathon in early November

In April 2024, Lloyd became the youngest person in his learning disability category to complete the grueling race

She continued: ‘I know most people think that running a marathon is a slog but Lloyd is proof you can actually enjoy it.’

Ceri, who has completed the London Marathon four times herself, said she developed a specialised training regime for her son. 

She explained how she was careful to only schedule three runs a week to prevent the youngster from getting injured.

Lloyd went from running three miles to more than 26 miles in just five months.

But the London Marathon marked the first time he had run more than 18 miles in one go.

Finishing this race in the capital city earned him his place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

When the mother-son duo crossed the finish line together, they both burst into tears.

Recalling his achievement, Lloyd said: ‘I was quite emotional and proud of what I had done.’

Insisting that he should feel ‘very proud’, Ceri said: ‘It just proves it is possible to do anything and follow your dreams. 

‘If you want to do something just go out there and do it.’

Crossing the finishing line earned Lloyd a place in the Guinness Book of World Records – a milestone which made the mother-son duo burst into tears

Ceri, who has completed the London Marathon four times herself, said she developed a specialised training regime for her son. (Pictured from left to right: Lloyd’s brother Finlay, Ceri and Lloyd)

Now the young sportsman has turned his attentions to gymnastics – with the hopes of tumbling his way to the British Disability Gymnastics Championships.

Eventually he wants to qualify for the Special Olympic World Games which are due to take place in Santiago, Chile, in 2027.

As well as running and gymnastics, the 20-year-old takes part in an impressive list of sports – including swimming, golf, trampolining, dodgeball, basketball and even paddle boarding.

But participating in sport has not always been easy.

‘We tried a lot of clubs,’ Ceri said. ‘Unfortunately we were turned away because they didn’t have an extra pair of hands to give Lloyd one-on-one attention.

‘Even when I offered, I was told that parents weren’t allowed to stay. We got that a lot.

‘Quite often they would say there was a waiting list and then I’d find out that a friend’s child got in no problem.

‘It’s just heartbreaking and extremely frustrating because as a parent, I know Lloyd could have progressed very well.

‘Hopefully they have seen now that Lloyd has proved he is more than capable.’

Lloyd has turned his attentions to gymnastics – with the hopes of tumbling his way to the British Disability Gymnastics. Eventually he wants to qualify for the Special Olympic World Games which are due to take place in Santiago, Chile, in 2027

Ceri recalls Lloyd being turned away from a long list of sports clubs – even when other parents seemed to have no issue getting their children in

Ceri hopes that the various clubs who rejected Lloyd can now see that he ‘is more than capable’

Lloyd ended up participating in drama, dance and tennis classes organised by the charity Stepping Stones.

There, Lloyd was able to interact with other children with Down’s syndrome – a social experience Ceri described as ‘fabulous’.

When he was older, Lloyd joined a football club run by Special Olympics GB who work to provide as many sporting and competition opportunities as possible for people with intellectual disabilities.

Based on her own difficulty with getting Lloyd involved in sports, Ceri has called for clubs to sign up with Special Olympics GB and learn how to offer more inclusive classes.

She said: ‘It’s literally a couple of forms to fill out and it is so easy for clubs to do but it makes a world of difference.

‘I would love for Lloyd to join a Special Olympics Running Club but our nearest one is Portsmouth so that is not happening!

‘It really wouldn’t take a lot for clubs to be more inclusive. It’s sad really.’

Special Olympics GB is clearly important to Lloyd – so far all the funds raised from his half-marathons and marathons have gone towards the non-profit organisation.

Despite only being accepted into a sports club at the age of eight, Lloyd has grown into an impressive athlete.

As well as studying life skills, media and sport at college from Monday to Friday, Lloyd regularly works out at the gym and attends training for a different sport almost every night.

Lloyd ended up participating in drama, dance and tennis classes organised by the charity Stepping Stones. He later joined a football club organised by Special Olympics GB 

But the 20-year-old will take a day off from his busy schedule next week to attend The Variety Disability Sports Awards at Soho Place Theatre on November 25.

Although he does not like dressing ‘too fancy’, Lloyd told FEMAIL he would consider putting on a polo shirt for the occasion.

The awards will also mark the launch of Variety’s ‘Voices for Change’ campaign – a grassroots advocacy campaign aimed at breaking down barriers that prevent disabled children from low-income families from accessing sports and physical activities. 

Lloyd’s message to others with Down’s syndrome? ‘Be outside all the time and have a go with a lot of sports.’

‘There is a sport for everybody,’ Ceri agreed.