Take on the challenge – Bradford 10k 2025

Martin, 66, has lived in Bradford all his life. He has been married to his wife, Andrea, for 32 years and up until July 2021, he worked as a Management Accountant for Vantage Motor Group based in North Yorkshire. Martin likes going to live music gigs (“mainly Indie music”), motor sport and real ale. As well as this, he also discovered an enjoyment for running by taking a punt on a 5k parkrun, and he has never looked back.

He says: “I was never really interested in sport or running at school, but it was a friend who ran parkrun that got me into running. It was back in March 2015 that I went to Lister Park in Bradford for my first parkrun, and what I enjoyed was the inclusivity and the friendly welcome at the event.

“I have now participated, both running and volunteering at more than 370 parkrun events at different locations in the UK, the Netherlands and South Africa. I now look forward to my Saturday morning ‘5k fix’.

“After running 5k distance for two years, I thought I would look for another challenge and saw the 2017 Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k advertised. It was with apprehension that I entered, as I had doubts about whether I could manage the distance, but was pleased to not only complete the distance, but also in a time of under one hour. I found the event extremely well organised on closed roads and with plenty of support. It was well marshalled and there was the bonus of a medal and T-shirt. Since then, I have participated in the event six times. I ran the event in March 2019, looking for a sub-one hour time, and was gutted when I saw my result was 60:00:01!

“I ran the 2022 and 2023 Bradford Epilepsy Action 10k races and also the 2024 Virtual 10k, so I have a collection of all the T-shirts and medals.”

A bolt out of the blue

Martin continued: “I didn’t have epilepsy myself when I first signed up. However, in December 2020, I was rushed to York Hospital following a cerebral venous thrombosis (a blood clot in the brain) whilst driving to work. There, I was diagnosed with epilepsy, having symptomatic complex partial (now called focal impaired awareness seizures) and secondary generalised (spreading to both sides of the brain) seizures.

“Prior to this I had been in good health generally, so all this came as a bolt out of the blue! Thanks to the quick actions of my work colleagues in contacting the ambulance service, and to the treatment I received at York Hospital for four days as an in-patient, I am lucky that the outcome was not worse.

“I took early retirement due to ill health in July 2021, as I had to surrender my driving licence for 12 months and also wanted to be free from the stress and pressure of work, especially around the time of the pandemic. I was prescribed levetiracetam and have annual medical checks. I am pleased to say that I have not had any seizures since.

“I find that although I am not a fast runner, I do find both physical and mental benefit from the exercise, as well as getting to meet and socialise with other runners. There is also the benefit to charities, such as Epilepsy Action, in raising essential funds.

“When I saw that entries for the Bradford 10k 2025 were open, I signed up immediately. I am excited for this in June. Hopefully it’ll be nice weather in the year that Bradford is City of Culture, and also the 75th anniversary year of Epilepsy Action.”

The Bradford 10k is a race for all running abilities, whether you’re looking to smash your existing PB, or have a go at the 6.2-mile distance for the first time ever. All are welcome! You can sign up now!