LISTEN: Leading Lancaster runner talks returning to the road after stroke

A stalwart of road running in Lancaster has bounced back from a stroke with a positive fitness message for others.

Billy Gardner, managing director of Lancaster Runners and of race organisers Lancaster Race Series, was told by a doctor that his fitness levels from running marathons has helped him rebound after being hospitalised last year.

Billy, 67, an active sports player, personal trainer and running coach for more than 40 years, temporarily had to slow down due to his stroke, but after recovering, he continues to keep fit.

He spoke emotionally about how he has recovered from his stroke, and how beneficial it has been to start running again.

LISTEN to Billy Gardner speaking to Ross Chapman on the Saturday Sport Show on Beyond Radio

“My cholesterol was high and blood pressure was high, but you know, I'm active”, said Billy.

“I mean, I'm active, I'm running, I do swimming, boxing and biking and running training sessions for other people.

“It’s all well and good but you don’t know what’s going on internally.

“I had a stroke in April 2024, and I was in hospital for five days.

“I lost a brain cell but the doctor said that because I was so fit, and am still so fit, that I’ll come back quickly.

“He said ‘I want you to carry on your training but bring down your stress level if you can.’

“For about two years before the stroke, I was getting this dizzy sick feeling, where I just had to go to bed.

“Now, it’s taking me about 12 or 13 minutes to run a mile but I’m still doing stuff.

“Every so often I run at 5:20 pace and that makes me feel really good.

“I’m very positive, I can’t help it!

“Nothing stops me, I’ve got a wife and a family who really support me.

“I’ve always been really lucky, families are so, so important and my positivity hopefully gives them something so I feel like I can move forward.

When asked what advice he would give to someone who is recovering from a health issue, Billy said: “Talk and listen to your doctor.

"I’ve been a coach for 40-odd years but you should listen to your doctor first.

“Join a club that’s easy going, we at Lancaster Runners, we spend more time laughing than we do running - I don’t know how we get away with it!

“We have a lovely coach called Emma who understands not everybody wants to run 100 miles an hour.

“Join a club that’s going to look after you - you’re trying to get fit, not trying to win the Olympics.

“There’s all sorts of clubs in the area: Lancaster & Morecambe Athletics Club, Let’s Run Morecambe, so many others out there too.

“My number is out there too on the Lancaster Race Series website and if anybody wants to ring it and ask me a question about the stroke or what they should do for training or how to improve, if I can answer the phone I will.”

Lancaster Race Series began in the 1990s with one singular race being organised, in preparation for a marathon.

“We decided to put a run on at Trimpell and get like 30, 40 people in it and then I could run with them, which i did do - but there was 300 in it anyway and it took off from there!" said Billy.

“Nothing was really concrete, it wasn't really a series until a few years later where we then decided to put some races together: 5k, 10k, 10 mile, half marathons and so on throughout the year.”

In the most recent event organised by Lancaster Race Series, the Lancaster Half Marathon, there were 355 participants and many of those were from Lancaster Runners.

As LRS look towards the final two events of 2025 and the packed schedule for the 2026, more people than ever are getting involved.

It’s the Morecambe Festival of Running on November 16 before the CancerCare Santa Dash on December 21, with information on how to enter available on the Lancaster Race Series website HERE.

“This year the Morecambe run starts at Heysham Cricket Club and we’re actually quite excited because we’ve never been, it’s our first time starting a race here," said Billy.

“We’re always looking for marshals so if people want to come down then they can do. Marshals get paid, they need to get paid.

“There’s a 5K, a 10K and a 10 mile race and it’s for anyone and everyone.

“The Santa Dash is a very important race because it’s for CancerCare too, they are fantastic.

“They’re amazing people, they’ve got a certain way - they ask for something and you just give it to them.

“There’s a 10K called the Christmas Cracker, that’s the shape of the medal too.

“There’s also a half marathon called the Turkey Trot.

“It’s good fun, they're all dressed up, we have Santa dressed up there.

“It should be a great event.”

Information on 2025 and 2026 Lancaster Race Series events and how to enter are available on their website.