Rob Wise had to learn to walk, write and run again after he suffered an acute blood clot stroke to the cerebellum in January 2023.
He lost control of his whole left side along with his sense of balance.
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Rob Wise of Cavendish running the London Marathon last year (Image: Rob Wise)
Rob is well known to East Anglia’s farming community as National Farmers’ Union (NFU) regional environment adviser.
He was just six weeks away from running the Tokyo Marathon in 2023 when he had to pull out because of his stroke.
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But the 64-year-old has fought his way back to fitness and is ready to go again.
Rob – who lives in Cavendish between Haverhill and Sudbury – says his sense of balance still lets him down from time to time and he needs a couple of hours extra sleep a night to keep up his energy levels due to the extra brain processing going on.
“Lying in the intensive care unit bed I had no idea what the permanent damage might be.
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“Within a couple of weeks, I was able to get out of bed and start the process of learning to walk again which then happened remarkably quickly.
Rob Wise of Cavendish running the London Marathon last year (Image: Rob Wise)
“Writing was much harder with the brain taking longer to figure out the fine motor skills required.
“The NHS physiotherapists were great at giving me exercises to do, and the more I repeated them the better I got at everything.”
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He started running in his early 50s to improve his health and has competed in 11 marathons – one since the stroke.
He will compete in the Tokyo Marathon on March 1 after running the London Marathon last year.
He has raised money for cancer and Alzheimer’s charities in the past and this year is running for the Stroke Association.
“I’m so grateful that I was not left with more damage and know that I am very lucky,” he says.
“The Stroke Association was extremely useful and a reassuring resource for me during my recovery and I know they do incredible work for those less lucky than me helping rebuild lives – of both stroke survivors and their families.”
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To secure a spot in Tokyo Rob had to commit to raising at least £3,500 for the Stroke Association.
“Having lost my ballot place after the stroke I was really keen to get my place back as Tokyo will complete my six-star World Marathon Majors journey started in 2015 in New York.
“This is the first time the Stroke Association has had places in Tokyo, so I was destined to grab one whatever the fundraising commitment.
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“I feel hopeful about raising the money but less certain about getting my finisher’s medal.
“Tokyo has the strictest time limits of any of the Majors and post stroke I’m not nearly as fast as I used to be.
“Getting across the finish line in the allowed time is giving me some sleepless nights but I’m pretty confident I can do it.
“I’ve included extra strength training on my left side in my preparations to give me the best chance.”
Rob Wise of Cavendish running the London Marathon last year (Image: Rob Wise)
To sponsor Rob, visit www.justgiving.com/page/rob-wise-2026
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