London man to run Shoreditch Half Marathon after fracturing neck and rupturing ACL

Jack McCooke, a 30-year-old London resident working in tech, is preparing to run the Shoreditch Half Marathon on September 20, 2025, two years after sustaining two significant injuries. McCooke fractured his C2 vertebrae in a skiing accident in France on April 11, 2024, and later ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on September 19, 2024.

Neck Injury Diagnosis

McCooke was skiing in Val d'Isere when he went over a snow lip and landed badly on his neck. He lost consciousness briefly but managed to walk away, initially believing his subsequent pain was severe whiplash. Two days later, on April 13, a sneeze caused him to experience shooting pain, leading to another loss of consciousness. He was taken to Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, where scans confirmed a fracture of his C2 vertebrae. Doctors noted the fracture was impacting his nervous system, requiring months of physiotherapy to regain mobility and manage severe pain.

Following his discharge, McCooke wore a neck brace for three months and took strong painkillers while undergoing extensive physiotherapy. He described the recovery period as frustrating, transforming him from a very active person to one advised to remain still. He stated that the neck injury requires lifelong management, with continuous physiotherapy and strength exercises, and that even travelling over bumpy roads causes him pain.

Knee Injury and Surgery

Five months after his skiing accident, on September 19, 2024, McCooke fell down a flight of stairs, attributing the fall to his reduced activity levels during rehabilitation. This incident resulted in a rupture of his ACL, classified as a highly debilitating knee ligament injury. He underwent reconstructive surgery in February 2025 due to NHS waiting times. Following the surgery, he used crutches for five months and then a leg immobiliser for six weeks, requiring him to learn to walk again.

McCooke only began running again in February 2025. To maintain motivation during his ongoing recovery and physiotherapy, he signed up for the Saucony Run Shoreditch Half marathon. He is currently undertaking regular strength training and running most weeks, including longer sessions on weekends, to prepare for the event on September 20, 2025. He noted that his pain level from the neck injury during runs can reach four or five out of 10 and increases with distance.

McCooke expressed gratitude for his progress over the past two years. He shared that active individuals in their 20s facing injuries like ACL tears or fractures can find it challenging but encouraged hope, stating, 'There is light. Don't give up hope.'