Man left in coma after hit-and-run completes half marathon

Mark Davies says he was determined to complete a half marathon after an accident left him unable to walk unaided

A man who spent three months in a coma after a hit-and-run, and had to learn to walk and talk again, has completed a half marathon.

Mark Davies, 51, from Llandudno, Conwy county, used to run ultra endurance races, but spent seven months in hospital after he was hit by a drunk driver in January 2023.

Injuries included losing the use of his right arm, while he needed a knee rebuilt, but three years later, twice weekly physiotherapy sessions have got him back running again.

On Sunday, he completed the Conwy half marathon, and is aiming to run up Wales' highest mountain - Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, as he did regularly before his accident.

Doctors weren't sure if he'd be able to run again, but Mark was determined to prove otherwise, saying: "Everyone said 'oh, you won't be able to do that', but it's all in the mind.

"I set myself the goal of doing the 5km Conwy Parkrun [3.1 miles]. Then I set myself the goal of doing it in under half an hour.

"A half marathon was the next challenge, and the Conwy one is good because a lot of the course is flat – I still find it hard to run down hills."

While he described the time as "slow" by his standards, he completed it in three hours 28 minutes and 16 seconds.

Mark spent seven months in hospital, and has more than two years of physiotherapy, which continues twice a week

Mark was walking home from a night out when the hit-and-run happened.

He was left with severe head and brain injuries, a number of facial fractures, and deep injuries to his thighs.

After spending three and a half months in a coma, he left hospital unable to talk, or walk unaided without crutches.

He also lost the use of his right arm and had to have a knee rebuilt

The driver was later arrested, admitted the offence and was sentenced to 16 months.

Mark in training - he used to run ultra endurance races through the mountains until the accident left him unable to walk or talk

Before the accident, Mark used to to take part in endurance events such as the Dragons Back - a five day race from Conwy to Cardiff.

It took him over two years of physiotherapy, twice a week in the Wirral, before he was able to take on the Conwy half marathon.

Staff who have been working with him joined him to provide moral and sometimes physical support during the 13-mile (20.9km) race.

Mark was joined for the half marathon by two of the specialists who have helped him recover

"It was tough and slower than I'm used to, but Zoe and Karen were amazing," Mark added.

"I've been raising money for Headway, a brain injury charity which helped me after the accident.

"I'd probably have dropped out, but was determined to finish to thank the people who've supported me."

Mark now has another goal which he wants to tackle – to run up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) like he used to before the accident.