Vimal-Pedro Patel’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. After being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare and debilitating neurological condition, Pedro spent 18 months hospitalised and a year in a wheelchair, unable to walk—let alone dream of running again.
This week, he proudly wore the iconic black and white stripes of Highgate Harriers for the first time and stepped onto the track to run the 100 metres in Highgate Harriers' Open Meeting —his first race since his illness in 2021.
Pedro has worked closely with one of our coaches, Sharaz, making incredible progress in regaining his strength and mobility. Although he is still far from fully recovering nerve function damaged by the syndrome, stepping onto the track was a powerful and emotional milestone.
“I am happy with what I ran today, and I feel blessed to be able to run. I am now determined to be better, and it’s encouraged me to work even harder.”
From being told he would never walk again to sprinting down the track—it was nothing short of amazing.
Pedro now travels from Ealing to train at Highgate Harriers, drawn by the positive spirit and support of the club. If you see him on the track on Tuesdays or Thursdays, take a moment to say hello—his story is one of courage, perseverance, and the power of belief.
