Rugby coach who broke neck enters Great Birmingham Run

When Joel Garrity fractured his neck playing rugby, he walked off the pitch unaware of the severity of his injury.

Two days later doctors discovered he also suffered from a rare bone condition, fibrous dysplasia – which means affected bones are weak and misshapen.

The Doncaster resident was referred to Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, for complex spinal surgery to fuse his vertebrae and stabilise his neck.

Three years on, to thank the doctors and nurses for his “incredible” recovery, the 33-year-old has signed up for the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run on 4 May.

Mr Garrity, who was captain of the Yorkshire Men’s League team, will be running the half-marathon with his twin brothers Mitchell and Curtis.

While he can no longer play rugby or any contact sport, he has now become the team’s assistant coach.

The brothers will be joined by 16,000 other runners for the event’s biggest in a decade – which includes a city-centre 10k and half marathon through the south of Birmingham.

Mr Garrity said he wanted to thank the “amazing” medical team at Birmingham Royal who cared for him.

His brother Mitchell Garrity, said: “Joel has dealt with his life changing injury amazingly well.

“He has taken every challenge, appointment and surgery in his stride, one step at a time. As a family we are so proud of how he’s handled the whole situation.

“We have always been really close as brothers. We all really do have a mutual respect. Whether that’s rugby, work or day to day life.”