Northallerton mum who learned to walk again set for London Marathon

A Northallerton mum has said she is “determined” to finish the London Marathon this weekend – two years after emergency surgery left her unable to walk.

Emma Watt went to A&E in May 2023 when she suffered severe back pain and changes to her bladder and bowel.

Two days later she had an operation to remove a benign tumour and thick fluid build-up that had grown on her spinal cord. She spent two months in hospital.

The 31-year-old said her little boy James was the “inspiration” behind her incredible recovery.

When Ms Watt woke up from surgery, her bladder and bowels were not functioning and she had very little sensation from the middle of her back down – meaning she was unable to walk, even with help from others.

She was transferred to the spinal unit at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, where she underwent intense rehabilitation involving physio and occupational therapy.

Ms Watt said: “I spent two months in hospital, I had daily physio, occupational therapists and lots of amazing doctors and nurses who taught me how to shower again and get myself dressed.

“I’ve gone from being in a wheelchair to having two crutches, to having one crutch, to walking unaided.”

The runner said she was “chuffed to bits” to also have the backing of two Yorkshire Olympians.

“Alistair Brownlee has actually sponsored me and Marc Scott, who I went to school with, has also been in touch,” she said.

While Ms Watt has always been active, dancing on the Royal Ballet Associate Programme when younger, she has never completed a run longer than 10k – but she said she was “determined” to cross the finish line in London – even if she had to walk some of the distance.

With her spinal cord injury and muscle fatigue, Ms Watt has had to adapt her training.

“I’ve tried to listen to my body as much as I can and recognise when I need to have a longer rest period between runs, just so that some of those symptoms can settle down a bit more,” she said.

“I’ve got quite a bit of pain after runs, but so far, we’re doing alright, just getting through.”

While in hospital, Ms Watt was struck by the positivity of the Spinal Injuries Association’s support network as it helped people adapt to life with their injuries, and has decided to do the marathon to raise funds for the organisation.

Ms Watt said crossing the finish line on Sunday would be “incredibly emotional”.

“I’ll never forget the first time my little boy came to see me in hospital when I was in my wheelchair and he said to me: ‘Mummy when you can walk again I’m going to say woo-hoo, well done mummy!’ and that was the motivation I needed,” she added.