Tom breaks world record as fastest half marathon runner living with MS

On 15 June, 26-year-old Tom Mears successfully became the fastest person living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to run a half marathon (1hr33min8secs), an extraordinary feat made even more powerful by his deeply personal connection to the condition. Not only does Tom live with MS himself, but both his sister and father also have the condition, a family occurrence so rare it’s almost unheard of. 

Diagnosed in his early twenties, Tom’s journey began with a numb foot he initially dismissed as a trapped nerve. He was told he had MS in a two-minute appointment at his GP Surgery who then followed up months later to discuss treatments and confirm his relapsing and remitting diagnosis. The process included a painful lumbar puncture requiring six attempts. He then began Ocrevus treatment and committed himself to staying active.

“Running is one of the only things that eases the heaviness in my legs,” says Tom. “When I run, I feel like I’m taking control – not just of the pain, but of the condition itself.” 

Fatigue, brain fog, and slurred speech are daily challenges, but Tom has found strength in a disciplined training regime, pushing his body further than ever before.  

The emotional weight of the challenge was equally intense. Tom’s older sister has lived with progressive MS for nearly 20 years, diagnosed as a teenager. His father was only recently diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. Together, they form an unspoken bond – one grounded in mutual support, positivity and grit. 

“We only speak about it positively,” says Tom. “This run is for them too. I want people to see that it’s not over after diagnosis, far from it. How you care for your body can help make all the difference.” 

Tom is fundraising for the Kent MS Therapy Centre, a cause close to his heart. “This charity helped my sister when she was younger, and they’ve been a big part of our journey as a family,” he explains. “It’s about giving back, but also about showing people that community and care matter.” So far, he has raised over £1,440, you can donate to his page here. 

Even with an intense training schedule, fatigue can hit him harder than others, and recovery takes longer due to his condition.  

Tom’s message to others living with MS is simple but powerful: “I firmly believe that exercise and nutrition are some of biggest factors in living with MS. It’s a small part that you can play in your own MS journey that could make a massive difference in the long run.” 

Following the run back in June, Paralympics GB reached out to Tom to discuss his options for competing in the future. He has now joined a local run club in Dover and competes in the 1500m which the option available to him as someone living with MS for the Paralympics, he’s set his sights on LA 2028.  

Not one to rest, he’ll be running another half marathon in Rome in October where he hopes to beat his current record-breaking time and when he returns will be competing in a Hyrox in Birmingham in preparation for another Guinness World Record attempt in December for the fastest Hyrox by someone living with MS.