James Cracknell leads Headway marathon charge
19 May 2011
Olympic rowing hero James Cracknell joined almost 100 other runners supporting Headway when he took on and conquered the Virgin London Marathon in April. A total of 48 runners were officially registered with Headway UK, while around 50 others were running for selected Headway Groups and Branches.
James, who sustained a brain injury in a horrific cycling accident in the USA in July last year, only made the decision to run the marathon in March. However, despite the majority of runners needing months of training, James's super-fit physique helped him finish in a hugely impressive time of 3:03.56.
James said: "I'm not only lucky to be running the marathon but lucky to be here at all after being hit by a fuel truck in the States last summer and suffering a brain injury.
"It bought me into contact with medics, carers and survivors who I would never have met; people who helped and inspired me and my family through the dark times and frustration that is caused by a brain injury.
"I wanted to help and return the favour by raising money for Headway. I was hoping to beat the three hour mark, but for me completing it was the main target."
Not only did James raise more than £7,000 for the charity, but he also conducted numerous television, radio and newspaper interviews - giving Headway's profile a big boost. But James was most certainly not the only Headway hero out on the course!
Six years ago, Pam Murphy also sustained a brain injury in a cycling accident abroad. While on holiday with her family in France, Pam decided to go for a bike ride on her own. She was later found lying unconscious at the roadside with her bike next to her.
Pam spent weeks in a coma and when she regained consciousness she recognised her husband, Rob, but didn't know her own eight-month-old daughter Catherine, who is now six.
Despite being unsteady on her feet, blind in one eye and losing a lot of her motor functions on her right-hand side, Pam completed the marathon for the second time since her accident. In doing so, she raised £2,100 for Headway.
"It was just so lovely," said Pam. "The weather, the crowds and even the running, although my legs started hurting and it got to the stage where I was using any excuse to walk! My time was 6:25, which is better than the last time I did it."
For some, this year's marathon was their first. Stephen Ward, from Clerksroom, which currently holds a Headway Challenge Baton, was only told he had a place in the marathon on 1 January - giving him only three months to train! Through sheer determination and a little help from the crowd, Stephen got round the course in 5:27, raising more than £5,500 in the process.
Stephen said: "It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I'm delighted for my personal achievement and also for what I've done for Headway.
"After only three months of training, I'm quite pleased with my time - particularly as my target was just to finish at sometime on Sunday!"
One year ago, Pete Eggers suffered a series of strokes that left him hospitalised and in fear he would never be the person he once was. However, over the past year, Pete has made an excellent recovery, so much so that he was able to complete the marathon for Headway, having decided to do so as a personal challenge before the strokes.
Pete said: "I consider myself very lucky that I have only been left with the task of relearning my right arm and leg coordination and didn't lose control of any major motor or cognitive areas. I am certainly aware that the consequences could have been very different.
"In June 2010, I couldn't even walk. Now, just ten months on, I've managed to run the London Marathon!
"Having the ability to move, talk and even run again is a privilege and the fact that I've been able to help others, even indirectly, makes me feel very lucky."