Two Essex women complete half marathon after health struggles

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Two Essex women have completed the Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon on October 11 after recovering from serious health conditions.

Jessica Ward, 24, from Wickford, and Lucy Owen, 36, from Mersea Island, both completed the 13.1-mile Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon on October 11. Ward used an active wheelchair, whilst Owen ran the distance.

Ward had struggled with leg deformities, hearing loss and heart problems caused by hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and neuromuscular scoliosis, relying on crutches to walk only a few metres. She underwent major spinal surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in November 2025 and had to relearn sitting, dressing, using stairs and pushing her wheelchair. Within three months of surgery she completed 1km and continued building distance.

Owen experienced severe period pain from her teenage years but was repeatedly told by her GP that her symptoms were normal. She was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis at 27, after a friend recognised her symptoms. Surgeons performed a two-and-a-half-hour operation but could not remove all the disease, leaving her facing multiple further procedures. She turned to running as an outlet, completing a daily 2km challenge in January before building up to three weekly training sessions.

Ward raised more than £800 for RNOH Charity, which provided five years of support for her complex medical needs. Owen raised £800 for Wellbeing of Women.

How it is being reported

• Women completes half marathon after years of battling undiagnosed endometriosisA north Essex therapist who was told her crippling pain was normal has completed her first half marathon after years of battling undiagnosed endometriosisColchester Gazette · 24 Oct, 12:00
• South Essex wheelchair user completes half marathon after major spinal surgeryA south Essex wheelchair user has completed a half marathon after rebuilding her strength from scratch following major spinal surgeryEcho (Basildon) · 23 Oct, 04:00

In this story: Jessica Ward · Lucy Owen · Wickford · Mersea Island · Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital · RNOH Charity · Wellbeing of Women

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