No stopping Andy Ibbott | Stroke survivor and former MCN roadtester has walked the London Marathon

Despite battling the long-term complications of a stroke that threatened to end his life 13 years ago, former MCN Road Tester Andy Ibbott recently completed the London Marathon in a time of nine hours and eleven seconds, raising an impressive £2865 for Brain Research UK. 

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“It was really hard, especially for half a bloke,” Andy told MCN. “By the 20-mile point it was getting close to me quitting, but I pushed on and got through.

“Three weeks before the race, donations were at £700, but during the marathon my phone just kept pinging with money coming in. People were recognising me and cheering me on. It was all quite incredible.” 

Also a former Army Sergeant, and Managing Director of the California Superbike School, Andy now has limited mobility and was given just a 5% chance of survival. Following weeks in hospital and an arduous road to recovery however, Andy has gone on to become the athlete he is today, embodying grit and determination in all he does. 

Covering 26.2 miles on foot is far from Andy’s sole achievement. In fact, he’s previously completed a tandem cycle from London to Paris, raced through the Sahara in the Marathon des Sables and hiked to Everest Base Camp.  

Not only is Andy adept to impressive feats on land, he’s also shown the sea who’s boss, taking part in an open water swim and soon plans to master the air by jumping out of a plane this October – with a parachute of course! 

“Eighteen months out of hospital I was so low I wanted to commit suicide,” Andy said. “My ex-wife sat me down and we had a chat and from then on, I stopped seeing problems and saw challenges to overcome instead. Now that’s how I live. 

“Writing my name became a challenge, walking to the end of the road became a challenge. I took this as motivation and that helped me carry on,” he continued. “I say to everyone, both disabled or otherwise, do everything you can, at least try and just don’t give up with anything, ever.”  

Andy had originally set out to raise £1000 for charity with the Marathon, with his current total surpassing that figure by 286%.

To add your own donation, visit Andy’s page now.