Runner Completes Half Marathon After Life-Saving CPR in Birmingham
Joshua Breene, a 23-year-old Master's student from Hull studying at the University of Bath, has triumphantly finished his first half marathon since suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during the Birmingham Half Marathon in May 2025. The incident occurred less than a kilometre from the finish line, where he collapsed without any prior warning signs of heart issues.
Critical Intervention by Fellow Runner
Lloyd Heckler, 31, a physiotherapist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, was instrumental in saving Joshua's life. After completing the race himself, Lloyd was alerted to a medical emergency and found Joshua unconscious with smashed front teeth and covered in blood. He immediately began performing CPR, alternating with another bystander until paramedics arrived.
Joshua regained consciousness five minutes later, famously asking, "Have I finished the race?" He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an atrial flutter, an abnormal heart rhythm causing rapid beating in the upper chambers of the heart.
Recovery and Hospital Stay
Following the diagnosis on Tuesday, May 6, Joshua underwent surgery to correct the issue and spent a total of six days in hospital. During this time, Lloyd connected with him via the running app Strava, sending messages to check on his progress and even visiting him in the cardiac unit the day after admission.
Reflecting on the race, Joshua shared, "The first 20 kilometres all went really well. I was happy with the pace I was going and I was really enjoying it." He described suddenly feeling extremely lightheaded before blacking out, with no chest pain or other typical symptoms.
Road to Recovery and Return to Running
After his release from hospital on Friday, May 9, Joshua faced a gradual recovery process. For the first month, he avoided any activities that could elevate his heart rate. Over three months, he slowly reintroduced very light exercise and underwent root canal treatment for his damaged teeth.
Numerous fitness assessments, cardiac scans, and MRIs confirmed that the surgery had successfully fixed the issue. At his six-month check-up, Joshua sought permission to resume running, with an eye on the Bath Half Marathon in March 2026. His consultant advised caution, recommending a slow buildup and immediate medical attention for any chest pains or lightheadedness.
Triumphant Return at Bath Half Marathon
Joshua participated in the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday, March 14, 2026, raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. He described feeling nervous at the start line due to memories of the previous incident but settled into the run, completing it successfully. Lloyd expressed his pride, stating, "I was actually over the moon for him that he'd completed it. I think it's quite incredible really."
Importance of CPR Training
Lloyd emphasized the critical importance of CPR training, urging everyone to learn this life-saving skill. He noted, "Everyone should learn CPR. It's a life-saving skill, it's easy to learn, and you just never know when you might need to do it." The British Heart Foundation supports this message, offering free online training through their RevivR tool, which takes just 15 minutes to complete.
This inspiring story highlights the power of community, quick medical response, and resilience in overcoming life-threatening challenges.
