Paralyzed mom completes marathon in bionic suit

A paralyzed British woman became the first ever person Tuesday to complete a marathon while wearing a bionic suit.

Claire Lomas, from Eye Kettleby, central England, completed the London Marathon 16 days after the race began on April 22.

The 32-year-old was paralyzed from the chest down after she was seriously injured in a horse riding accident in 2007.

Wearing a £43,000 ReWalk suit, she walked around two miles (3.2km) a day. She raised more than £85,000 ($137,000) for Spinal Research.

Organizers of the marathon told Lomas she could not receive a medal for completing the 26.2 mile (42km) route through London because competitors must complete the course on day the race is held.

But Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, whose company sponsors the London Marathon, stepped in to award Lomas the Virgin Trophy for 2012. "We treasure amazing acts of bravery," Branson said.