Woman with cystic fibrosis can’t believe she managed to run 26.2 miles

A WOMAN with cystic fibrosis ran the London Marathon thanks to “miracle” drugs.

Nell Summerley, 21, from Britwell Salome, took part in Sunday’s race to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

She was eight when she was diagnosed with the genetic disorder, which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system.

But thanks to the drugs Symkevi and Kalydeco and Kaftrio, which were discovered in 2020 and 2022, Miss Summerley says she is able to live as near a normal life as possible.

The drugs don’t work for everyone with the disorder and she wanted to raise money for more research.

Miss Summerley said she had a “brilliant day”.

“The atmosphere was absolutely amazing and I loved it,” she said. “It was busy when I got to the start point and there were lots of runners but everyone was friendly.

“My support team was absolutely amazing. I had my mum, dad, brothers and other family members as well as friends from school, university and work. I saw them at different check-points and it really made such a difference.

“The support from everyone is lovely and I had my name on my top so people were shouting: ‘Go, Nell’.

“For the final mile you have got the London Eye and Big Ben and you come around the corner and see Buckingham Palace and the finish line and it’s like: ‘Oh my gosh, I have made it’. It had seemed so far at the beginning in Greenwich Park, when you have got five hours ahead of you.”

One of her highlights was crossing Tower Bridge, the halfway point on the course. Miss Summerley said: “It was so busy with supporters and there was so much noise that it really was an amazing experience.

“But coming off the bridge and turning right, you’re running away from the finish line while on the other side you have got everyone else going towards it, which is quite hard.

“It took me a little while to get back in my stride after the high.”

She said she had tried to take it all in during the run.

“I was running past incredible bands and singers and pubs blasting music,” said Miss Summerley.

“There were people on mics hyping you up as you ran past. I really was loving it — it’s not often you get to run along these roads with the views of London around.

“There were so many costumes. There was a Colin the caterpillar with three guys running in it and another costume with nine guys. I was like: ‘How are nine guys running at the same pace?’”

Miss Summerley raised £9,404, almost double her target of £5,000.

She said: “I am overwhelmed when I look at the messages and support I have had from people.

“I am pleased to have been able to do this. There were lots of incredible people and it was lovely because anytime I saw any supporters on the side from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust or another runner, we always stopped and said: ‘Well done’ to each other. There was a nice, supportive atmosphere.”

After the race, Miss Summerley went to the pub with her support team before travelling home to sleep.

She said: “I do hope to run another. I want to keep running because it’s good for my health.”