When Clay Daly's father suffered a massive stroke, a lot of things went through the 23-year-old's mind, but none of them involved a long-distance running race.
"He was unable to move, unable to talk," Clay said. "We were told he was going to pass away."
The medical emergency in December 2023 left Clay's father, Mark, with locked-in syndrome — a neurological condition that leaves people physically paralysed but otherwise aware and conscious.
The pair has found a new goal and purpose by running the Gold Coast Marathon alongside 39,000 other competitors.
"A marathon itself is a massive ordeal, but while pushing someone in a wheelchair as well — my dad is a big man," Clay said.
"He's over six foot and over 100kg, so it's a lot to push."
By Julia Andre via ABC Queensland. Social version by David Douglas Stuart for ABC News Digital.
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