Farnham man takes on first half marathon after life-saving heart bypass surgery

A Farnham man who underwent major heart surgery after doctors discovered a seriously blocked artery is preparing to run his first ever half marathon to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

John Thacker, 56, will take on the Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon on October 11 after spending much of the past two years recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery and rebuilding his fitness.

In March 2024, John began experiencing what he believed was persistent indigestion. But it was only a couple of months later after he developed chest pain alongside discomfort in his arms and shoulder during a meeting at work that he decided to seek medical attention.

Further tests revealed a significant blockage in one of his main arteries. Doctors initially attempted to treat the condition with a stent but found the blockage was located in a position that made the procedure unsuitable. Following additional investigations, John underwent bypass surgery in January 2025.

Following his operation, John completed a hospital cardiac rehabilitation programme before progressing to a Couch to 5K programme through a local support group. Since then, he has gradually built up his fitness and now runs three to four times a week and volunteers at his local parkrun.

John said: "Having heart surgery prompted me to think about what was really important to me. I stepped away from work to focus on my recovery and rebuilding my health.

"At first there was a lot of uncertainty and I was worried about what lay ahead. But once I had a diagnosis, I knew what I was dealing with and could focus on the next steps.

"The rehabilitation programme was fantastic. It gave me the confidence to run again and helped me understand what I could safely do at each stage of recovery. Completing the Couch to 5K programme felt like a huge milestone.

"Taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon is a measure of how far I've come on this journey. It also reflects the support I have received from my family. Completing a half marathon within two years of heart surgery would be a massive achievement for me."

During his medical journey, John became increasingly aware of the impact of the BHF's research and support services on people living with heart and circulatory diseases.

He said: "As I went through surgery and rehabilitation, I began to appreciate just how much of a role the BHF has played in the care and treatment I received. The information available on healthy eating, recovery and returning to exercise has also been invaluable."

Amelia Vickery, Events Executive at the British Heart Foundation, said: "John's story is a powerful reminder that cardiovascular disease can affect anyone. Thanks to decades of research, funded by our supporters, more people than ever are surviving serious heart conditions and getting back to doing the things they love.

"We're incredibly grateful that John has chosen to take on the Royal Parks Half Marathon to support our work. Every pound raised will help power lifesaving research into cardiovascular disease and bring hope to millions of people across the UK."

John hopes his experience will encourage others to pay attention to potential warning signs and prioritise their heart health.

He said: "One of the biggest lessons I've taken from this experience is the importance of looking after yourself. I'm much more active now than I used to be and have made positive changes to my lifestyle. Taking on this challenge is not just about fundraising. It's about recognising how far recovery has taken me and raising awareness of the incredible work the BHF does."

People wishing to support John can donate via his fundraising page: justgiving.com/page/jt-bhf