A Holbeach man is celebrating running a sub six- hour London Marathon, just six months after a stem cell transplant.
Just a year ago Dan Chapman was diagnosed with aplastiac anaemia, a rare condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells.
After a search involving national media, he found a match and underwent surgery at the end of last year.
He’d applied for the marathon before his diagnosis and only got confirmation of his place two weeks after the treatment.
On Sunday he ran the 26.2 miles in 5:50:10 to raise almost £4,750 for the Anthony Nolan Trust.
“It really was amazing.,” said Dan. “I approached it with no set time in mind, the only goal was to finish – and try and have some fun along the way.
I think I high-fived almost every hand offered along the way! It was a tough old slog at times, it is a marathon after all, but the crowds just kept you going.
“As did other runners whether a pat on the back, encouragement as they went past or just a smile as you looked over.
“Considering I was really only cleared for exercise in January, I’m more than happy to have come away with that time.
“It felt like a bit of old me was back.”
Dan was featured on BBC One’s coverage of the race on his way to raising the money to help Anthony Nolan continue its work on its stem cell register.
“I’ve had so many people get in touch having seen that to share their own stories.
“It’s what it’s all about – that transplant changed my life, and saved it but I also know it represents an opportunity to ensure I can do all I can for those who were like me, waiting for a donor.”
To donate visit the page ‘Dan’s Taking on the London Marrowthon’ at www.justgiving.com
