Official Guinness World Record Holders

Run With Drew
1:18:02

Six friends. One wheelchair. One extraordinary Guinness World Record. Set at the 2025 Great North Run in aid of Gym Possible.

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Guinness World Records Official Record Holder Badge
Guinness World Record
Fastest Half Marathon Pushing a Wheelchair by a Team (Male) · 1:18:02 · Great North Run 2025
Drew Graham with his race wheelchair at Gym Possible
The Story

From an accident
in Denver to a
World Record

In September 2014, Drew Graham broke his neck in a shallow diving accident in Denver, Colorado, suffering a C4/C5 spinal cord injury. He spent a year in rehabilitation at Craig Hospital, USA.

Returning to the North East in 2015, he found almost no accessible gym facilities. So he built them himself. He founded Gym Possible, the North East's first gym specifically designed for wheelchair users, then asked his friends to help push him a little further.

In 2023 the team ran just over two hours. In 2024 they ran 1:26. On 7th September 2025, they crossed the finish line in 1:18:02. A Guinness World Record.

1:18:02
World Record
6
Pushers
13.1
Miles
3
Years Running
Run With Drew team at the finish line of the 2025 Great North Run, World Record
2025 Great North RunCrossing the finish line. World Record confirmed.
Pre Race BBC Interview, 2025 Great North Run start line
Pre Race BBC InterviewBBC Interview. Start line 2025.
Press call the day before the 2025 Great North Run
Pre Race BBC InterviewPress call. The day before.
The team on the start line of the 2025 Great North Run
Start Line 2025Lining up for the record
Run With Drew team mid race at the 2025 Great North Run
Mid Race 2025In full flight
2024 Great North Run finish, 1:26
2024 Great North Run1:26. The year before the record.
Drew Graham, Team Captain and founder of Gym Possible
Team Captain & The Inspiration Behind It All

Drew Graham

Drew was a top athlete who completed an athletics scholarship at Adams State University in the USA. In September 2014 he broke his neck in a shallow diving accident in Denver, Colorado, suffering a C4/C5 spinal cord injury. After a year of rehabilitation at Craig Hospital, he returned to England in December 2015.

"Drew was keen to exercise to stay fit, but found almost nothing available in the UK. If he was suffering like this, others probably were too."

Drew set up Gym Possible in Newcastle, the North East's first gym specifically designed for wheelchair users. With support from the Matt Hampson Foundation, a second hub has since opened in Gateshead. The Run With Drew World Record is not just about speed. It is about Drew, his story, and the power of sport and friendship to change lives.

Visit Gym Possible →
The Pushers

Six Friends.
One Record.

Nick Hooker
Nick Hooker
Pusher · 2024 & 2025

Northern Championships 1500m winner and multiple Yorkshire champion. Nick anchored Leeds City Harriers to the 12 Stage National Road Relays title in 2014, making the front cover of Athletics Weekly.

Fun Fact
During the 2024 GNR, Nick's shoe sole completely fell off at 9 miles. He still finished in 1:26 with the team.
Jonathan Graham
Jonathan Graham
Pusher · 2023, 2024 & 2025

Drew's brother and a highly decorated junior athlete across the North East and North of England. He medalled at the English Schools before taking up fell running, completing the legendary Bob Graham Round in under 24 hours.

Fun Fact
Jonathan is regularly told he looks like Vincent Van Gogh. Twice in 2024 alone, most recently by a stranger in a pub.
Ryan McLeod
Ryan McLeod
Pusher · 2023, 2024 & 2025

Two-time British Half Marathon Champion (2014 & 2015) and Great Britain international. Represented GB at the 2016 World Half Marathon Championships before health reasons forced retirement. Now making his comeback.

Fun Fact
While training in America, Ryan accidentally boarded the wrong flight to San Francisco. The cabin crew arranged a taxi to the right airport, with the pilot.
Matt Bond
Matt Bond
Pusher · 2024 & 2025

Ran alongside Drew at Adams State University (2010–2012). After an outstanding collegiate career, Bondy moved up to the marathon and went on to represent Great Britain in the event.

Fun Fact
While competing as an elite athlete in Morocco, Bondy had to make a swift escape from a snake charmer in the markets of Marrakesh.
Matt Nicholson
Matt Nicholson
Pusher · 2023, 2024 & 2025

Met Drew in the 90s running for Gosforth Harriers. A big name in North East club athletics who won medals at regional and Northern level, before his triumphant comeback as a Run With Drew team member.

Fun Fact
Matt tried out for Young Gladiators as a 13 year old. He didn't make the cut, but he made a World Record team instead.
Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Pusher · 2024 & 2025

Alex and Drew met in Leeds in 2005. A keen distance runner who competed at the European and World Duathlon Championships in 2025. A man of many talents on and off the road.

Fun Fact
A talented singer, gifted artist and impressive cycling trivia expert. His best experience ever, according to Drew? Pushing at the 2024 GNR.
Nick Hooker
Nick Hooker
Pusher · 2024

Joined the team for 2024. Despite losing his entire shoe sole at mile 9, he still pushed Drew home in 1:26.

Jonathan Graham
Jonathan Graham
Pusher · 2023 & 2024

Back for his second GNR with Drew, helping the team smash their 2023 time by over 30 minutes.

Ryan McLeod
Ryan McLeod
Pusher · 2023 & 2024

Back for his second year, helping push the team to a remarkable 1:26 finish at the 2024 GNR.

Matt Bond
Matt Bond
Pusher · 2024

Joined the team for 2024, bringing Great Britain marathon experience to the push.

Matt Nicholson
Matt Nicholson
Pusher · 2023 & 2024

Back for his second year, continuing his comeback to competitive running.

Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Pusher · 2024

Joined for 2024. Said pushing Drew at the GNR was the best experience of his life.

Run With Drew finishing the 2024 Great North Run in 1:26

2024 Great North Run · 1:26 · Newcastle to South Shields

Run With Drew. The very first Great North Run in 2023, just outside 2 hours

The very first Great North Run with Drew · 2023 · Just outside 2 hours

Jonathan Graham
Jonathan Graham
Pusher · 2023, 2024 & 2025

There from the very start. All three Great North Runs with Drew. A constant and vital part of this whole journey.

Ryan McLeod
Ryan McLeod
Pusher · 2023, 2024 & 2025

Ran with Drew from day one. Three GNRs, each one faster than the last, finishing with a World Record.

Matt Nicholson
Matt Nicholson
Pusher · 2023, 2024 & 2025

Part of all three years. From first steps over two hours to a Guinness World Record in 2025.

Special Shoutout: The 2023 Originals

A huge thank you to the three incredible athletes who ran with Drew in 2023, the very first year of Run With Drew. Without them, none of this would have started. They helped prove it could be done, laid the foundations for everything that followed, and deserve every bit of credit for the World Record we achieved in 2025.

Andrew Dougal
Marc Fenwick
Sean Hall
Drew Graham and Gym Possible at the Great North Run
The Cause

Gym Possible &
Matt Hampson Foundation

Every step, every push, every second counted. All for Gym Possible, the North East's first gym specifically designed for wheelchair users, founded by Drew himself after his accident in Colorado.

We were also proud to run alongside the Matt Hampson Foundation, helping seriously injured young sportspeople rebuild their lives, inspired by Hambo's motto: "Get busy living."

Our JustGiving fundraiser has now closed, but Gym Possible's incredible work continues every day.

Visit Gym Possible →
Run With Drew Team
Media Coverage

As Seen On...

BBC live broadcast and highlights. Drew and Gym Possible at the 2024 Great North Run

BBC live broadcast. Gym Possible feature during the 2023 Great North Run

ITV News. Drew and the 2023 Run With Drew team

Proud Partners

Those Who Made
It Possible

Keep It Going

Support Gym Possible

The World Record has been set. Gym Possible's work continues every single day. Help Drew and the team keep building a space where anyone can achieve what they set out to do.

Visit Gym Possible →