Para-athlete sets sights on Great Manchester Run

Anthony Bryan, a para-athlete who suffered a brain tumour and a stroke as a young child, is aiming to break records when he competes in the Great Manchester Run at the end of this month.

He recently took part in the London Marathon - where he beat the Guinness world record for someone paralysed down one side by a full minute, raising £5k for the Stroke Association in the process - and is aiming to do likewise in Manchester.

“Doctors told me I would never be able to walk or take part in sport,” he recalls. “I’ve been on a mission to prove them wrong ever since!"

Anthony, aged 34, lives in Enfield Town and works as a fitness instructor nearby in Southbury Leisure Centre.

“I hope my story will inspire others," he continues. "All through your life, you get told what you should and shouldn’t do. I could have listened to the experts and given up but instead, I have turned things around and created a positive life.”

During Covid lockdowns, Anthony broadcast online, Joe Wicks-style keep-fit sessions for disabled people, generating more than 2,000 followers. He now runs exercise classes for older people at the Southbury centre which have proved so popular that there’s a waiting list!

The Manchester run will raise money for the Richard Whitehead Foundation which provides ‘guide runners’ to help disabled athletes to take part in sporting events.

Anthony’s own guide runner is Tyler Slade who competes alongside him, tying shoelaces and offering water and encouragement.

Southbury Leisure Centre is run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the 'Better' brand,

Sabrina Forde, the organisation’s Community Sport Manager in the region, comments, “We’re all extremely proud of Anthony and the amazing things he’s achieved. He deserves to be celebrated as much as possible!”

Readers can follow Anthony on Instagram or YouTube - @antbryanfitness.