Jess Warner-Judd doesn’t bear in mind a lot about that night time in Rome.
It has been an extended and troublesome journey since, however the 31-year-old speaks with admirable ease in regards to the traumatic occasions which have led her to a London Marathon debut in 2026.
“I’m very lucky to have had sort of a second chance at running. It’s a second chance I just didn’t think I’d probably have,” Warner-Judd tells BBC Sport.
“I remember having really horrible discussions after trying to restart my track season and it quickly not happening. The doctors, who were brilliant, saying that I would probably have to retire if I kept trying before I had therapy, because my body wasn’t going to cope.”
The distressing particulars of what unfolded at Stadio Olimpico are recalled vividly by her husband Rob, who witnessed all of it from the stands alongside Warner-Judd’s father and coach, Mike, in June 2024.
Less than 10 months had handed since Warner-Judd celebrated one among her proudest achievements, putting eighth on the earth over 10,000m, but it surely grew to become evident early within the European Championship ultimate that one thing was amiss.
The noticeable lack of co-ordination. The veering out into lanes two and three. The misery more and more seen throughout her face.
“It got to the point around five or six kilometres in when Mike and I had got as close as we could to the track and were shouting at her to stop,” says Rob.
Warner-Judd struggled on till, with 600m to go, she collapsed.
