Harriet Runs Yorkshire Marathon After Spinal Surgery

Harriet is running this year's Altra Yorkshire Marathon after multiple surgeries as part of her fitness journey.

She first discovered her love of sport at 4 years old, after winning a race on sports day in primary school.

"The exhilaration of the speed and pride in winning was incredible. I have never forgotten that feeling and, from that day forth, I have always been excited to run and play sports."

However, at just 15 years old, Harriet was involved in a serious road traffic accident, resulting in 3 fractured bones in her neck. The spine consultant advised her that her bones would heal, but that she would have to be careful with what sports she played, specifically advising her against contact sports.

"This news was devastating for me. How could I give up all the sports I loved playing?"

But, despite the advice given, Harriet took up boxing.

"Boxing was a sport like no other to me, it required high levels of fitness inside and outside of the ring...Running played a huge part in assisting me to get fit, to be better, and I soon took up sprinting again with my local running club in York."

Later on, Harriet took up tennis, and began running and cycling longer distances, but luck was not on her side. In 2016 during a tennis match, she fell, leading to a prolapsed disc, causing debilitating pain to radiate down her leg.

She had spinal surgery to manage the pain, and was forced to give up tennis, later having surgery again after having issues with her facet joints.

"I felt lost without a focus in sport but, in this time, I started a family with my partner, and we have a beautiful daughter who fills us with joy."

But, she was still determined. Her team at work wanted to raise money for MND in 2024, and so walked the 3 peaks to do so, completing it in under 12 hours. This reignited her love of sport and exercise, and she returned to do it with a friend, completing it in 7 hours and 26 minutes. 

"This gave me a sense of purpose in sport again, and I finally had something to train for again."

Harriet has been further building up her distance running since August of last year and, despite suffering some calf injuries, she has since run 2 half marathons, and an adventure triathlon (25-mile cycle, 3-mile canoe, and a 6.5-mile hike up Old Man of Coniston).

She is running the Yorkshire Marathon this October, and plans to run the 3 peaks this November.

"My journey has not been linear but, nonetheless, I've overcome so many physiological and psychological barriers to get me where I am today, and I am immensely proud of my achievements against all odds."