Rachel was told she would never walk again nine years ago, now is running the London Marathon

Rachel Farrant was told she might never walk again after a major stroke at the age of 18, now she is going to run the London Marathon. Rachel collapsed nine years ago, just two weeks after starting university, and suffered a stroke after treatment for a blood clot on her lungs. The runner woke up unable to see, walk or feed herself and had severe memory loss - but has since made a full recovery. When Rachel tightens her shoes and races through her local park, the sense of freedom lifts her. “I really like nature - the trees, the horses,” she says. “I’m running through the woods and it’s all enclosed, and then suddenly I come out into this wide open space and I feel like I’m flying. It’s the best.” The 27-year-old is a big believer in the mental health benefits of running. “It’s fantastic because you can just do it anytime. You can go out and clear your mind,” she says.

posted Thursday April 19th