Rose Harvey Completes Marathon with Broken Leg

Rose Harvey defied the odds at the Paris Olympics by finishing the marathon in under three hours, despite running with a broken leg. Harvey, from Evesham, Worcestershire completed the marathon in 2:51:03, placing 78th while enduring “agonizing” pain from a stress fracture in her femur. Dutch runner Sifan Hassan won gold with a record time of 2:22:55.

Harvey, 31, started feeling tightness in her hip three weeks before the race. Despite treatment and doctors’ warnings that running would worsen her condition, Harvey chose to compete. Her injury became more severe early in the race, but she pushed through, motivated by the Olympic spirit and thoughts of her fiancé, Charlie Thuillier. Harvey struggled through the later stages, running alone as she fell behind the pack.

Her grit and resilience carried her to the finish, ahead of two other runners. Harvey’s performance was especially remarkable given her unconventional path to becoming an Olympian. She discovered her passion for running after losing her job as a lawyer during the Covid lockdown. Running became her focus, leading to a professional career and notable achievements.

These include a top British finish at the London Marathon and the fifth-fastest marathon time by a British woman in Chicago. Now, with her leg immobilized, Rose Harvey faces the challenge of walking down the aisle for her upcoming wedding. Despite her injuries, her fiancé, Thuillier, remains supportive and emphasizes that her presence at the wedding matters most.

Harvey’s story highlights her extraordinary determination and the unexpected journey that led her to the Olympics.