A woman from Clitheroe who once relied on a wheelchair has completed the London Marathon despite suffering an injury mid-race, saying she “heard a crack” but refused to give up.
Micky Marsden’s journey to the start line was already extraordinary.
After developing sepsis in 2014, she was left with multiple health conditions and spent around four years using an electric wheelchair.
“I couldn’t stand up without fainting. They were the hardest years of my life,” she said.
“There were times when I felt completely useless to the world, I couldn’t be the mum I’d wanted to be.”
Determined to rebuild her life, Micky gradually worked with specialists to regain mobility, progressing from a manual wheelchair to eventually walking again.
Her motivation to take on a marathon came after meeting Positive Action in the Community (PAC) at a local networking event.
Having experienced domestic abuse as a teenager, she said the charity’s work deeply resonated with her.
“I wanted to do something everyone thought I couldn’t,” she explained.
At the start of 2024, even running to the end of her street felt impossible, but through months of determination, she built up her fitness, completing events including the Blackpool 10k Music Run and the Manchester Half Marathon before preparing for London.
By race day, she had trained up to 30km and felt ready.
But at mile seven, everything changed.
“I stepped on a water bottle that hadn’t been emptied. I went down and heard a crack. I knew I’d broken something,” she said.
Despite being urged to seek medical help, Micky refused to leave the course.
Running alongside her was fellow participant Lucy Reynolds, whom she had met through a support group for marathon runners.
“I told Lucy to carry on — I didn’t want to ruin her race — but she didn’t falter. She stayed by my side the whole time.
“She got me over that line.”
Crossing the finish marked the end of a journey that once seemed impossible.
Through her efforts, Micky has raised nearly £6,500 including Gift Aid for PAC, supporting its work providing safe spaces and support for those affected by domestic abuse.
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Clare Bennett, chief executive officer of PAC, said: “We were honoured that she accepted and what she has achieved in her training, and fundraising has been nothing short of amazing.
"Her true grit and determination were clear before she started but for her to continue even after her injury completing the marathon with broken bones is just simply selfless. She is our absolute superstar and a fantastic advocate and ambassador for our organisation - we couldn’t be prouder of her.
After completing her "impossible" task, Micky concluded: "I want to use my legs, running toward a future where more people can feel safe, supported, and seen.”
