Thousands set to tackle city half marathon

Drivers in Sheffield are being warned to expect road closures and parking restrictions at the weekend as thousands of runners take part in the city's annual half marathon.

Organised by Jane Tomlinson's Run For All, Sunday's race will start in Arundel Gate at 09:30 BST and loop through parts of the city centre and the Peak District.

Parking restrictions would be in force on a number of streets from 18:30 GMT on Saturday, with a series of rolling road closures in place between 04:00 and 16:00 BST on Sunday, organisers said.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Run For All operations director, said: "The team will be working extremely hard on the day to ensure road closures are lifted as soon as possible."

"We hope to see as many people as possible there and thank everyone in advance for their patience and cooperation while we deliver this event," he said.

Batley-Kyle added: "We are once again delighted to welcome participants of all ages and abilities to take on the Sheffield Half Marathon."

A full list of road closures is available on the Run For All website.

Among those planning to take part in the half marathon is Jason Ciril, 18, from Sheffield, who will be running it for the first time after being diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) last year.

The condition affects the way the brain sends and receives signals, which can cause symptoms such as weakness, tremors and seizures.

It is not caused by physical disease or damage and has no definitive cause, although it is believed to often be linked to mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.

According to Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, FND occurs in about one quarter of neurology patients in the region, with most experiencing temporary symptoms, but some cases being more severe and longer lasting.

Ciril, who also has a spinal condition called spina bifida, spent four months in hospital after FND caused him to have repeated seizures and become paralysed in his legs.

"In May, I got out of the hospital and I was in a wheelchair. I had to be hoisted into my bed and I started to think this was my life now," he said.

"I'd got nothing, I couldn't do anything anymore or be there for my brothers."

However, Ciril said that when his physiotherapist failed to show up to a scheduled appointment at the care home where he lived, it "lit a spark" inspiring him to take charge of his own recovery.

About three weeks later, he began to regain control over his legs and asked staff at the home to buy him a pair of crutches.

"The first thing I did as soon as I got those crutches was go straight to the gym," he explained.

"I didn't care how many black-outs I had because I could deal with those. I just wanted to build my self-confidence back up because people needed me.

"One thing I've done a lot in life is prove people wrong, and there was a time in hospital when someone said I might not walk again."

Ciril said the half marathon, which he was running to raise money for Sheffield Children's Hospital, would be "exhausting, but I want my story to influence other people".

"There are other people being told they can't do something, and what I'm doing is supposed to be impossible - but for me, not a chance," he added.

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