A RUNNER from Runcorn completed the Manchester Marathon despite suffering a life-threatening stroke five months earlier.
Mike Metcalfe, 32, thought he would never run again after a stroke in May left him immobilised down his left side, partially blind, and unable to speak.
Mike, a plumber and father to a little boy, managed to complete the 26.2-mile course last Sunday, October 10. in a remarkable 3 hours and 11 minutes, which is close to his personal best of just under three hours.
Hayley Metcalfe, Mike’s wife, said: “Time wasn’t really a factor for Mike this time: he just wanted to finish the fight and prove to himself that he could still do it.
“It is a time people would dream of and is incredible for someone who had a stroke such a short time ago and needed an aid to walk,” she added.
“He was smiling the whole way round.”
Running has always been a big part of Mike’s life – and it is something he and Hayley have in common as they met at Warrington running club back in 2015.
Mike completed a 5k run just four weeks after the stroke and now can’t wait to get back out there properly as he was previously running most days. Hayley said: “I don’t think there are any words that can sum up how inspirational he is.”
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