Mum who couldn't walk after giving birth completes 26.2 miles

Rebecca Bathory suffered a bad pelvic dysfunction while pregnant to daughter Lilith in March.

It left her in severe pain when walking but, inspired by her family and disabled mum Fiona Peaty, she managed to complete her 26.2 miles around Colchester.

“My time was never going to be amazing but I was proud of myself for finishing within eight hours,” said the 38-year-old, who lives in Scarletts Road, New Town, Colchester.

“I wasn’t set to do the marathon until next year, giving me plenty of time to recover and start training.

“But when my charity offered me this place, in the virtual event, how could I refuse?

“I didn’t pause to think about it. I knew in my heart I wanted to do it.

“During pregnancy, I suffered severe symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).

“It’s a pelvic dysfunction which meant I couldn’t walk longer than five minutes without severe pain.

“My head was telling me it was crazy to accept the challenge because I hadn’t done any training and couldn’t even run 5km.

“But I wanted to do it for mum and started walking, challenging myself to do longer distances.

“I doubted myself when I struggled to even walk a half-marathon while training.

“On the day, though, I found huge strength inside.

“The rain was pouring into my eyes and I couldn’t see through my glasses. My legs were in huge amounts of pain but I kept walking.

“I never expected to get a good time but just wanted to finish.”

Miss Bathory fast-walked the gruelling route for national disability charity Scope.

It is a cause close to her heart because her mum, who was able to join her for the last two miles in her mobility scooter, is disabled.

“I did it for my mum, who has been disabled since I was little,” she said.

“She lived in Kenya, growing up there, and was an Olympic-standard swimmer.

“However, because of where she lived, she didn’t have a country to represent.

“As a little girl, I used to spend ages looking at her medals, certificates and trophies and thinking mum was a superhero.

“I wanted to do the marathon because she had a stroke and has spent the majority of her life in a wheelchair.

“Every step was for her and when I thought about her, my run became easier.

“I was walking faster than I ever have and when I met mum at mile five, and she joined me in her scooter, it gave me confidence.

“Afterwards I gave her my race number and told her she’d completed every step with me.”

In addition to her mum, Miss Bathory was roared on by brother and partner.

Waiting for her at the end were her two-year-old son, Ezekiel, and little Lilith.

“Mum and dad were there, plus neighbours from my road, all cheering me on,” she said.

“They never let me give up.

“My legs were in agony.

“I’d only fast walked my route but in those last two miles, with mum by my side, I found strength and jogged around the park.

“The marathon app actually told me I’d completed the distance before I reached everyone, but I ran as fast as I could back to them across the park.

“My son ran towards me with his arms outstretched.

“With my last bit of strength, I picked him up, gave him a huge hug and carried him to my loved ones. I’ll never forget that moment.”

To make a donation, head to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rebeccabathory.