Hartlepool runner who suffered 30 broken bones marks recovery anniversary with parkrun walk while social distancing

Phil Holbrook, 59, of Hartlepool, suffered 30 broken bones, including a shattered pelvis, 20 broken ribs, breaks to his pelvis, in his arm, spine and nerve damage to his left side in a crash on the A1789 near Greatham in December 2012.

Sadly, his wife Sally, aged 48, died in the incident. Phil spent three months in James Cook hospital before being discharged.

Phil is a committed runner entering the Great North Run each year and joining in Hartlepool’s Park Run every Saturday.

Despite Park Run being called off for the moment due to the coronavirus outbreak, Phil was determined to mark the anniversary of his release.

On Saturday March 21, he completed the Hartlepool course between the marina and Seaton Carew – all the while observing social distancing advice.

Phil, who has notched up 235 park runs, said: “I had been due to do my 25th volunteer stint for Park Run. I still wanted to mark the day as it was a special one for me being released from hospital seven years ago.

“I couldn’t do the parkrun but there is always the opportunity to do what they call a freedom walk which goes on your park run record.”

Phil and his new wife Gillian completed the 5km course in just over an hour.

But he said he was disappointed at the number of people on the promenade not observing the advice to stay two metres (six feet) away from each other.

“We were forced onto the grass as most people were walking four abreast on the prom that’s around five metres wide,” he said.

Coronavirus restrictions are set to hinder Phil’s plans to complete 12 fundraisers in 12 months for Alice House Hospice in memory of Sally before he turns 60 in September.

A Windermere Marathon due to take place on May 17, has now been rescheduled for the beginning of November.

People can continue to contribute by going to #Team Sally 12 in 12 Challenge at everydayhero.com