Man who 'died for five minutes' to run Newport Marathon
A man who 'died for five minutes' is set to take on the ABP Newport Marathon.
Grant Williams, 53, suffered two cardiac arrests during a training run in Liverpool on March 9, 2024.
He was preparing for the Manchester Marathon with friends when he collapsed at mile 11.
His group immediately began chest compressions and found a defibrillator.
Two off-duty doctors, Mel Hamilton and Joe Clarkson, witnessed the incident and took over CPR.
Mr Williams, a fitness instructor in Liverpool, who grew up in Newport, said: "It was the luckiest run to die on in the fact that there were two doctors in the area as well as a defib.
Grant had two cardiac arrests (Image: ABP Newport Marathon)
"I can't remember a thing, but I was told I arrested twice and my heart stopped for five minutes.
"The group continued doing CPR until an ambulance arrived.
"I'm indebted to everyone who helped."
After being stabilised in hospital, he had a quadruple heart bypass and was discharged on March 31, 2024, resuming training as soon as he was able.
He said: "When I had my surgery, I couldn't even walk up the stairs without getting out of breath and feeling like I needed to go to bed.
"But thankfully I've recovered well."
With his consultant's approval in October, he will now participate in the ABP Newport Marathon on April 13.
He said: "There will be 45 of us taking part on the day from my gym, including the group of eight who were running with me when I had my cardiac arrest and the two doctors who saved my life.
"I'm not worried about anything happening again.
"My consultant has said I'm OK to run."
He will be raising money for the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and promoting the importance of defibrillators and CPR.
He said: "There is not a chance I'd be here without it."
Matt Newman, chief executive at event organisers Run 4 Wales, said: "We're looking forward to welcoming Grant and his team of runners back to his hometown of Newport for the ABP Newport Marathon Festival in April."
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