Running for Greatness: Mairead Clabby

As this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run weekend approaches – we’re shining a spotlight on some of our inspiring participants who are running for more than the medal when they lace up their trainers on the 18th May.

Meet Mairead, a 36 year old from the Wirral, who is living life to the full after spinal surgery. Her story starts back in December 2012 when she was assaulted in her role working as a Police Officer at 23 years old. She was a competitive athlete with Wirral Athletics Club and part of the Air Cadets National Athletics Team in the 800m and 4 x 100m events.

Treated for concussion at the time of the assault Mairead continued life suffering severe soreness in her neck and shoulder believing it was a muscular injury. When the injury culminated over the years in a loss of feeling, sickness from the pain and an inability to grip or lift everyday items accompanied by severe headaches an in-house Physiotherapist sent her for an MRI scan. Ten years on, the MRI revealed Mairead had suffered from four herniated discs in her neck and a brain condition that can be caused by severe whiplash.

Doctors carried out spinal surgery in January 2023 to take out and replace the old, herniated disc that had been compressing the nerves from her spinal cord along the right shoulder to her arm and into her right hand for a decade. Mairead advised by Physiotherapists took on strength-based programmes and trained in a gym for a year before seeking out the benefits of running to increase blood flow to her nerves and for endorphins to help with the pain.

Mairead says, ‘When I am running, I can’t think about and don’t even feel like I am in pain. My body feels like it used to for that small time I am running. I feel strong, fit, healthy and free when I run. I also feel like using my arms during running has helped my arm strength too.’

To take on the Great Manchester Run and show everyone, including herself, that anything is possible if you put your mind to it motivates her. ‘I now know that it doesn’t matter what age you are or whether your body goes through spinal surgery like me, you can always rise up and experience greatness again!’ which she has proved, losing seven stone post-surgery, after being able to run again since April last year.

This has been possible by utilising expert training, inspiration and motivation from Olympians, Ellish McColgan and Michael Rimmer amongst other therapies. Mairead has ridden the highs and lows of recovery and come back fighting with a renewed strength for running.

Mairead now runs 5k distances regularly deeming herself significantly more powerful and fitter than before her surgery. This transformation will see her at the Great Manchester Run eager to put all her hard work and determination to good use raising money for the Walton Centre in the 10k event.

This is the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing specialist services in neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management, and when talking of her treatment she says, ‘The spinal surgery I had there has given my life back. Now I want to give back to them.’

Looking ahead to the race Mairead says, ‘I want to keep progressing and encourage anyone else living with chronic pain that there is hope ahead. I am hoping to meet lots of great runners and supporters who will carry me through my run and help my cause!’

Be part of the action! Places for the 10K, Half Marathon and Junior & Mini kids events are expected to sell out in advance once again, so act fast to secure your spot on the start line.