Running a Half Marathon with a Pacemaker: Grant's Inspiring Story

On the 21st of September, Grant will take on the impressive feat of running the Ipswich half marathon with a pacemaker.  

Having suffered from heart rhythm issues since the age of 19, Grant, now 27, is running the half marathon “to prove what’s possible when life tells you that you can’t”. 

Grant’s journey begins at the young age of 19, having a dual-chamber pacemaker fitted after being diagnosed with congenital heart block. Following this, he quit all sports as his anxiety around his health rose. 

What followed was a challenging battle with his health during COVID; after becoming severely overweight and developing Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, the diagnosis of which he credits to Dr. Aaisha Opel who reassured him throughout his struggles, Grant went through numerous tests from 2021 through to 2024, and was placed on heart-slowing medications. 

However, by January 2024, he made a promise to himself:  

“I would come off the meds and take control through fitness” 

He started small, beginning by re-joining the gym, and later joining his local American football team, the Colchester Gladiators. In mid-March of this year, Grant began running. Initially barely able to manage a 2K, he has since completed multiple half marathons as well as a sub-50 10K, and has covered a total of 400KM in his training.

And that is not all; Grant’s long-term goal is to one day complete an Iron man. Moreover, while there is currently no official world record for the fastest marathon with a pacemaker, but Grant is working to change this, and is currently in conversation with Guinness World Records. 

Throughout his journey, he has built a supportive TikTok community to share his journey and inspire others, be it through physical or mental health battles. This is what inspired his brand Adaptive. 

“I want to show that it’s still possible to adapt, grow, and do something incredible” 

You can show your support for Grant’s journey through his social media as he works to redefine what is possible. 

Instagram - @grant.bibby

TikTok - @grant.bfitness