Scot told ‘you’ll never run again’ proves doctors wrong by completing New York Marathon

A Scottish man who was informed that he would never be able to run marathons again after fracturing his hip has defied the odds by completing the New York Marathon. Mark Baxter, 33, experienced a stress fracture during the London Marathon in April 2024, leading to excruciating pain and a trip to the hospital where surgeons inserted four pins and a titanium plate into his hip. Initially told that recovery could take up to 12 months, Mark astonishingly completed the prestigious New York Marathon just seven months later.

Determined to prove the doctors wrong, Mark underwent rigorous rehabilitation and physiotherapy to rebuild his strength for the 42km run. Despite being advised to limit his running due to the hip injury, Mark persisted, saying, “I knew I had the strength and resilience in me to keep going.” He dedicated himself to daily recovery efforts and building his strength back up, achieving a “miraculous” healing process according to his doctors.

Leading up to the New York Marathon, Mark expressed excitement and a hint of nervousness, with his family tracking his progress online. Crossing the finish line was a culmination of memories and emotions for Mark, reflecting on the pain, challenges, and successes he had experienced in the past year. Looking ahead, Mark aims to complete the ‘Big Six’ marathons, now including a seventh run in Sydney, after already finishing races in Berlin, London, and Chicago.

Mark, a sports enthusiast with a passion for running and boxing, has raised over £6,000 for charity through his athletic pursuits. He runs a club at Meadowbank Stadium, encouraging others to embrace running. Reflecting on his journey, Mark shared, “There are two ways people can deal with obstacles in their lives… to let it overwhelm you, burden you and put a limit on your potential, or to use it as fuel to be the best version of who you are.” Mark plans to continue running, having entered draws for marathons in Tokyo and Boston.

This inspiring story of perseverance and determination serves as a reminder that with the right mindset and support, individuals can overcome significant challenges and achieve remarkable feats. Mark’s journey from a devastating hip fracture to completing a marathon highlights the power of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity. His story motivates others to push past limitations and pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles they may encounter along the way.