A man who lost 11 stone is preparing to run a 10K in Barry to mark how far he’s come.
Freddie Taylor, 42, from Wiltshire, will take on the 2026 Barry Island 10K, having completed it for the first time last year following a dramatic weight loss journey.
He said: "I was just over 24 stone when I got covid in 2022.
"I could barely breathe and knew that something had to change.
"That day I decided to go for a walk and I promised myself that I’d make it a daily thing."
Starting with a one-kilometre walk, Mr Taylor gradually increased his distance, eventually taking up jogging and losing 11 stone in just 12 months.
He later challenged himself to run 10K a day, seven days a week, until an accident in November 2023 led him to stop.
He said: "I hit some hidden ice, slipping and cracking my head on the ground.
"That accident really shook me.
"That day I hung up my trusty blue New Balance 1080s and instead swapped running for a gym membership and left my running days behind me."
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However, in 2025, a friend encouraged him to enter the Barry Island 10K.
He said: "It was my first ever running event and I loved it.
"There was brilliant support and people were coming out of their houses with their hoses to cool us down in the heat.
"I’d gone from barely being able to walk to just doing my first 10K race."
He now plans to run the event again this year.
Matt Newman, chief executive of race organisers Run 4 Wales, said: "It’s amazing to hear of the transformation Freddie has made to his life and we’re sure his story will inspire many people.
"We’re very much looking forward to welcoming Freddie back to the Barry Island 10K."
