22 year-old Personal Trainer from Manchester, Rosie Gorman, was told she may never run again, but this April she’s set to take on 26.2 miles at the adidas Manchester Marathon, defying medical odds.

Just a few years ago, Rosie’s world revolved around cheerleading. It was her passion, but a training accident in August 2023 left her unable to walk. During a routine backflip, she struck both shins against a backboard with such force that doctors feared she might never walk again, let alone return to cheerleading.

The physical challenges Rosie experienced were immense, but the impact on her mental health was detrimental. The seriousness of her injury left her feeling hopeless as her whole life, including job as a PT, revolved around being active, sport and exercise.

“It was a complete nightmare. Suddenly, everything I loved felt completely out of reach. I went from being active 24/7 to suddenly being unable to walk to the bathroom by myself. The mental toll was unbearable, I reached such a low point that I attempted to end my life multiple times. I was trapped in a constant cycle of hopelessness, feeling like there was nothing left to live for.

I had lost all hope to recover, but I had to shift my mindset and do it for those around me – my family and friends who were affected by my situation. All I could do was persevere with my recovery plan – and it started to pay off.”

Rosie’s story is a testament to resilience and strength. With the support of her physiotherapists, she embarked on a long and arduous journey toward recovery. Even today, she continues to work with specialists to regain her strength and mobility. While Rosie did return to cheering just five months after her injury, pushing herself to relearn the skills she performed before the accident, the severity of her injuries meant she experienced extreme pain during training sessions and was unable to continue her cheerleading career. However, Rosie’s recovery has allowed her to run and even compete in her first Hyrox race in January, where, despite experiencing agonising pain, she finished in third place.

Just shy of 2 years since the accident, Rosie is embarking on the adidas Manchester Marathon as her next challenge to overcome. The marathon is more than just a fitness challenge for Rosie: it’s a symbol of her determination to recover.

“I was fortunate not to break both shins entirely in half, so the road to recovery has been long and unbelievably hard to say the least. This challenge is about so much more than the miles, it’s about proving to myself that I can overcome anything, even the darkest times.

“Choosing the adidas Manchester Marathon for my first ever marathon was an easy decision. It’s my home, I know the atmosphere will be incredible, and with everything I’ve been through, there’s no place I’d rather conquer this challenge.”

While Rosie doesn’t have a specific finish time in mind, her goal is simple: “Just finishing will be a victory, the pain during and after any activity is brutal, I’m just grateful to be able to move again.

“When someone says you can’t run again, it makes you want to defy the odds and learn to sprint! I’ve told myself over and over, don’t give up on yourself. If you can’t do it for yourself right now, do it for the people who believe in you.”

Rosie can’t wait to see her friends and family – who have believed in her throughout her recovery – cheer her on as she takes to the streets of Manchester with 36,000 other participants.

Her story is an inspiration to anyone facing seemingly insurmountable odds and as she laces up her trainers on April 27^th and prepares to take on the sold-out event, she’ll be the embodiment of perseverance and resilience.