Story of how Worcester runner Jenny Nesbitt overcame rare disease to compete in Commonwealth Games

This Sunday, distance runner Jenny Nesbitt from Worcester will compete in front of thousands of spectators at Alexander Stadium. However, it was only 10 years ago this month that the 27-year-old was hospitalised with a rare disease – and left unable to walk.

Jenny has been selected to represent Team Wales in the 1,500m but has faced adversity in her path to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Born in Oxford to a Welsh mum, she moved to Worcester at a young age and developed a passion for running whilst at the Royal Grammar School, later going on to join the Worcester Athletics Club.

She became a UK champion at U17 level but had her career unexpectedly put on hold for two years in June 2012 after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

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According to the NHS, HSP affects the blood vessels and causes a spotty rash. It adds: “It’s not usually serious, but can sometimes lead to kidney problems.

“Most people with HSP make a full recovery. Any kidney problems usually get better without treatment- but sometimes HSP can be severe and last several months, particularly in adults.”

Describing the experience, Jenny said: “Ten years ago this month I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. I was in hospital and the 2012 Olympics was on and I was sat in hospital thinking ‘one day I want to try and be as successful as these athletes’.

“To be in the Commonwealth Games a decade on is very special. Looking back, it was an awful time but it has actually helped set me up later on in life and I hope to use it to inspire other people that you can go through adversity and come out the other side and still achieve your goals.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s event, Jenny said: “I grew up in Worcester so Birmingham 2022 is probably as close to a ‘home’ Games as I’m ever going to get. I’m so excited, it has been a massive target of mine for the last two or three years so to be finally named in the team is exciting.

“This is the most confident I have been about being able to compete with some of the best athletes in the Commonwealth. I would love to get top eight, but if I can keep myself in it as much as possible and see what happens, I will be really happy.

“I just want to walk away from the track knowing I left everything out there.”

Jenny has just finished a masters in Sports Broadcasting at Cardiff University and returned to the Midlands to claim top spot in the British Milers Club 1,500m at the University of Birmingham’s international standard training track in preparation for the games. She said: “The track is fantastic.

“It has a really nice feel to it and the way it has been designed allows great crowds and atmosphere. I took part in a 3,000m event not long after it first opened and I ran a personal best so I have some fond memories there!

“It will be our warm-up track for the Commonwealth Games too so it is nice to be able to get on there and improve my game.”

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