A mother of four with epilepsy who was taken to hospital during the London Marathon after experiencing a seizure returned hours later to complete the race in support of Epilepsy Action.
Kayla Cooper – known as Cooper – from Seattle in the United States, had travelled to the UK to take part in the iconic event in aid of Epilepsy Action, raising more than £2,400 for a cause close to her heart after being diagnosed with the condition at the age of 16.
Having trained for 20 weeks, and completed hundreds of training sessions, this was the 31-year-old’s first full marathon.
But the day did not go as planned. After a difficult journey to the start and rising temperatures, Cooper began experiencing symptoms early in the race, including visual disturbances and dizziness.
By the time she reached the halfway point near Tower Bridge, she was assessed by medical teams, where she experienced a focal seizure and was taken by ambulance to hospital.
Following medical checks and after around two and a half hours recovering, Cooper made the decision to return to the course – determined to finish what she had started.
Rejoining the race as crowds thinned, she continued the remaining miles largely without the usual race-day atmosphere.
In the final stretch, her husband ran alongside her in sandals, supporting her through the last kilometres to the finish line. She crossed the line in 9 hours, 13 minutes and 14 seconds.
Her husband Chris described his wife as ‘amazing’.
He said:” It’s been a really long time coming, and this trip has been more eventful than anticipated- but I’m so glad we came, and I am immensely proud of my wife for what she’s accomplished.”
Cooper said: “I really thought I wasn’t going to finish. I had a big cry because I felt like I’d let a lot of people down. There were so many people supporting me and supporting the charity.
“But I knew my six-year-old daughter was so excited and really wanted me to get the medal. That’s what got me through.
It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done but also one of the most memorable. It reminded me that even with epilepsy, it’s still possible to do thing you set your mind to. I’d absolutely do it again.”
Philippa Cartwright, director of fundraising for Epilepsy Action said: “Experiencing a seizure can be physically and emotionally exhausting – something people often compare to running a marathon. For Cooper to then find the strength to return to the course and complete a marathon is an incredible achievement.
“Her determination shows the resilience so many people with epilepsy demonstrate every day and we’re incredibly grateful she chose to support us and help raise awareness. We’re wishing her a full and speedy recovery.”
If you want to support Epilepsy Action next year, the ballot is now open for the London Marathon 2027.
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