‘MARATHON MAN’ BILL BACK ON TRACK WITH FRAME RUNNERS AFTER RECOVERING FROM SEPSIS AND PARALYSIS

FROM being given less than a 5% chance of survival from sepsis to learning to walk again following a rare autoimmune disorder, Bill Begley has let nothing get in the way of his love for athletics.

He took up running at the age of 35 and quickly “caught the bug”, going on to complete some 500 races – including more than 25 marathons – worldwide over the following 25 years.

After defying the odds to survive multiple organ failure caused by sepsis, medics put his remarkable recovery down to Bill’s years of athletic endeavour making his body able to withstand more than most.

And having also fought back from lying paralysed in a hospital bed and enduring months of gruelling rehab, the incredible 77-year-old has now returned to the track with Corstorphine AAC’s frame running group.

Son Mike said: “Dad started running in 1983 after the crazy idea that he fancied going for a run after work one day. A short jog along the Union Canal and he came home looking like he was ready to collapse, but he ended up going out again the following week and then again. It appeared he had caught the bug.

“He decided to enter the Edinburgh Marathon that year with his 18-year-old brother. Their longest training run was 10 miles and he completed the marathon in 3:59. Over the next 25 years or so, Dad completed around 500 different races, including more than 25 further marathons, numerous 5Ks, 10Ks and half-marathons. He also enjoyed  competing in cross country, hill races, team time trials and many other races all over the  UK and further afield, and represented Scotland in both the marathon and cross-country disciplines at the World Veteran Athletics Championships in Brisbane in 2001.”

But Bill, whose marathon PB is 2:43:18 in sweltering conditions at Loch Rannoch in 1990, had his life turned upside down after contracting sepsis in 2016.

Mike added: “He ended up spending a number of weeks in intensive care, where he suffered multiple organ failure and the family were advised he was not going to survive – he was given a less than 5% chance of survival. During the weeks the family sat at the bedside chatting with the team caring for Dad, his love of running came up, to the point he was nicknamed ‘Marathon Man’ by the nurses. 

“To everyone’s surprise, he started to turn the corner and eventually regained consciousness. Although the illness had taken its toll on him, he appeared to have made a remarkable recovery. The consultants sat down and wanted to discuss his running exploits as they couldn’t explain how he had survived, never mind appeared to have come out of it almost unscathed. It was felt that the years of running had made his organs so strong that they were able to withstand more than most.” 

Although he recovered from the sepsis, Bill struggled to get back into any level of running but still enjoyed a leisurely jog with his friends or to get out for some “me time”.

“Unfortunately, Dad’s health took another turn for the worse in late 2021 where he started to struggle and his fitness and ability to get out for a jog became more limited,” Mike said. “Over the subsequent year, this continued to decline despite the family’s best efforts to push through. 

“In March 2023, he ended up back in hospital. This continued for the next year, including eight months in hospital where he lost complete use of his arms and legs, was bedbound and sleeping most of the time, and was losing weight at an alarming rate. Once again, the NHS team worked tirelessly to find out what was wrong and, after endless tests, scans and procedures, he was eventually diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder that damages the peripheral nerves. 

“A series of different treatments were started that helped Dad regain some use of his arms and legs again. However, he now needed to learn to walk again, never mind run. At this point he was stuck in a wheelchair and unable to stand without assistance and required round-the-clock care.

“After much debate, he secured a place in the neurorehabilitation centre to allow access to intensive physiotherapy to give him every chance to get back on his feet. He once again surprised the experts by exceeding their expectations, however the condition was still causing issues and, despite having physio multiple times a day, his progress was limited. This was a much bigger battle this time and he remained in rehab for four months before being readmitted to the hospital for further investigation and treatment before continuing outpatient physio to help him walk once again.”

It was at this low point that Bill’s love of running came to the fore and inspired his latest incredible recovery.

Mike recalled: “While lying paralysed in a hospital bed, Dad’s two wishes were to spend time with his wonderful grandchildren and to run again. It was going to be a long road back but first he needed to be able to use his arms and legs again. I made a bet with him that if he ran again, I would go running with him, too, to help motivate him and give him something to push for. As he slowly got back on his feet, I started to regret that bet as I’m not a runner but I thought I was still safe.” 

Following his discharge from hospital, Mike worked with Bill every day to help his  rehabilitation, including going out for short supported walks, home physiotherapy, trips to the gym, regular physio sessions and even using adapted cycles to help rebuild strength and movement. 

But none of this really hit the spot for Bill as the dream was to go running once again and the longing look whenever someone ran past was ever present. 

One of Bill’s physios mentioned frame running as a possible option, so Mike contacted CAAC and was put in contact with coaches Graeme Reid and Fran Snitjer. A trial evening was arranged for a quiet Tuesday night in November 2024 before Bill could potentially look to join the recreational frame sessions on a Friday if he enjoyed it.

Mike said: “It was torrential rain, driving wind and freezing cold, but that wasn’t going to stop Dad getting running again. Lap after lap, he kept going and absolutely loved it – and even got involved in some of the training session with the CAAC team. Graeme and I were concerned he had overdone it. 

“Once back in the car, you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face even though he was soaked, frozen and his hands were numb. The invite to the recreational session was rescinded and Graeme suggested he join the team on a Tuesday once a frame became available for him, as he had done so well. 

“A few very long months later, the email Dad had been waiting for landed and a frame had become available. His first proper night’s training was again cold, wet and windy but the smile never left his face. He’s now been with the team weekly for the last four months. He has also joined the second session each week and is out training on the frame each week with me, too. The running bug is back once more. He’s loving it and he’s delighted to be cashing in that bet!”

Mike paid tribute to the CAAC frame runners and coaches for welcoming Bill into the group and supporting his transition into the club.

He said: “The CAAC frame running group are a wonderful group of people with a wide range of abilities and ages. There is a really nice environment providing each other with lots of support and encouragement. Despite Dad being old enough to be many of their grandads, there is a great rapport and the group have welcomed him with open arms and great banter.”

As for the future, Bill still has plenty of ambitions to fulfil.

Mike revealed: “He still says he wants to try and match some of those PBs from years gone by and get on the start line once more for his favourite races. The added bonus is that he gets to punish me by making me join him on those runs! Being realistic, his goal is to be back enjoying running, the social side and camaraderie of the running club and hopefully get back for a few races, join the local parkrun and maybe a few more endurance races. 

“He still hopes to try and run unaided again one day but, while his condition limits his balance and control, the frame running is a wonderful compromise. It helps build up his strength and fitness doing something he loves even when the weather isn’t so great. 

“Any time he’s asked how he’s feeling and if he needs a rest, he declines the offer and wants to keep pushing himself. He always tells me how he doesn’t feel tired or sore and has more in the tank at the end of a session, so we still await ‘full frame’ Bill to be on display. 

“But as many of his new CAAC team-mates commented, they couldn’t believe he was ‘that old’, so he must be doing something right.”

Frame running coach and CAAC vice-president Graeme Reid said the group has been “bowled over” by Bill’s “tenacity and downright stubbornness when it comes to getting things done”.

He added: “He is a great example and positive influence on the whole squad. The support from his family has been first class and Mike has taken great interest in understanding the techniques of frame running to help Bill improve.”