BOURNEMOUTH’S deputy mayor defied doctors to complete the town’s first-ever marathon at the weekend.
Councillor Phil Stanley-Watts, a former competitive runner, suffered a cardiac arrest last November, and was advised not to run the 26.2 mile race on Sunday.
However, after five and a half gruelling hours, the 54-year-old made it to the finish line.
He said: “I wouldn’t run a marathon again, but I really wanted to finish this one because it’s for charity.
“It was very important to me to take part, although I was told I really shouldn’t be doing it at all.”
Cllr Stanley-Watts takes eight tablets a day for his heart.
“It was a very tough race. I saw a number of people collapsing. However, I thought the race was very well organised, and I think it was a fantastic event for Bournemouth,” he said.
The councillor ran for six local charities, including the Coda Music Trust, Diverse Abilities Plus and the Wessex Cancer Trust.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here