Emma Runs Yorkshire Marathon After Health Scare During Leeds Marathon

Emma had originally planned to run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May of 2024, despite her mysterious persistent cough and dropping fitness levels.

On the day of the race, Emma was struggling to catch her breath, and had to seek medical help just before she got to mile 17. The health professionals and marshals who helped her, whom Emma described as "fantastic", initially diagnosed her with heat exhaustion and low blood oxygen levels.

After recovering from the scare, Emma was determined, and signed up for the 2024 Yorkshire Marathon, thinking that, if she could shake off her cough, then she could pick up her training where she left off before the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

However, her breathlessness only got worse; long walks left her gasping for breath, and she couldn't walk up the stairs without stopping. Emma saw her doctor multiple times, enduring multiple asthma and blood tests, as well as an ECG, but they were all inconclusive. Nothing could explain what was happening to her.

Eventually, Emma went to A&E at Leeds General Infirmary.

"The staff were absolutely fantastic, I finally felt like I was being listened to"

She had more scans and blood tests, and received two diagnoses of multiple bilateral pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs) and deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs), and her heart was under massive strain. Emma was informed that it was potentially fatal.

"I felt incredibly scared, but incredibly lucky at the time"

She started on blood thinning treatment immediately, and was transferred to the respiratory critical care unit at St. James' hospital in Leeds.

Emma deferred her entry for the Yorkshire Marathon to this year, and is now even more determined to cross the finish line.

"I'm excited to take on this challenge and prove to myself that I can overcome adversity"

She is fundraising for Thrombosis UK, whose aim is to raise awareness and understanding of blood clots.

"I believe that if there were more awareness of this condition, I could have been diagnosed more quickly, and avoided a lot of mental stress and worry"