Doctors Said I’d Never Walk, Now I Hold a Half Marathon World Record
Harvey Rowson defied the odds after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He completed a half marathon and set a Guinness World Record, proving that anything is possible.
Harvey Rowson, Cerebral Palsy, Half Marathon, Guinness World Record, Atherton, UK
Atherton: Harvey Rowson, a 26-year-old man, has achieved something incredible. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just one year old, doctors told his parents he might never walk.
But Harvey didn’t let that stop him. He started walking and running as a child. Last year, he completed the Manchester Half Marathon in an amazing time of two hours, nine minutes, and 27 seconds.
Now, he holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest half marathon by a man with coordination impairment hemiplegia. Harvey was over the moon when he got the email confirming his record.
He said, “I couldn’t believe I had actually done it.” It’s wild to think that doctors once said he wouldn’t walk. Yet, here he is, breaking records!
Harvey was inspired to run the half marathon by a family member. He realized no one had ever set a record for his category, so he reached out to Guinness World Records.
On race day, he felt “absolutely petrified.” He needed to finish in under two hours and 15 minutes to secure the record. Completing the race felt surreal to him.
After training hard for six months, he was anxious about his time. “I couldn’t believe I had completed it,” he said, relieved to find out he made the cut.
Harvey, who works as a barristers clerk, trained by running about 25 miles a week. At first, he didn’t enjoy it much, but eventually, he found joy in running.
Now, he’s planning to break his own record this October. He jokingly said, “If anyone wants to break my record, feel free!”
Harvey believes no one truly knows their potential, not even doctors. His story is a powerful reminder that determination can lead to amazing achievements.