A 78-year-old man from Dunmurry is gearing up for his third half marathon in a matter of months to support British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI), after heart conditions transformed life for his family.

Robert Mearns will line up at the Belfast Half Marathon this September, having already completed events in Hillsborough and Lisburn. He is motivated by his wife, Iris, who has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and by his own diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

HCM is predominantly genetic and causes the heart’s muscular wall to thicken, making it harder to pump blood around the body. Atrial fibrillation is a common abnormal rhythm in which the heart beats irregularly and often too fast.

Brought up in Belfast and a graduate of Queen's University, Robert worked for many years in the private sector before dedicating his life to missionary and community work across Europe, Africa, India, Mexico and America.

He travelled to 25 countries through this work and spent 30 years living in the United States with Iris and their three children — Simon, Grace and Alan — before the couple returned to Northern Ireland five years ago.

Ten years ago, while living in North Carolina, Robert woke in the middle of the night to discover Iris had suffered a cardiac arrest.

He said: "My wife and I were asleep in bed and I heard a thump on the wooden floor. My wife had a cardiac arrest and she stopped breathing. If I hadn't woken, she wouldn't have survived.

"I remember it vividly as the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to me. I've been in some very difficult situations in Africa with my missionary work, but nothing could prepare you for waking up to that."

Their daughter, Grace, quickly called emergency services and began CPR until paramedics arrived. Iris was taken to hospital and placed in an induced coma for 11 days.

Robert said: "Against all odds, Iris woke up and thankfully her brain function was normal. The nurses who were looking after her just wept with the family. We were all in such shock and so thankful. It really was a miracle." Iris, who had not experienced symptoms before her cardiac arrest, was diagnosed with HCM and later had a pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted.

Since then, the couple's children have been tested, with their eldest son, Simon, also diagnosed with HCM. He now has a defibrillator and pacemaker, and the family's grandchildren are being tested for the genetic condition.

Now a carer for Iris — who also has rheumatoid arthritis — Robert said running gives him focus, purpose and a way to give back.

He said: "Iris travelled all over the world with me, but now my world has to be compressed as a carer and Iris is my priority. I see her care as entrusted to me and she will always be loved and cared for by her family.

"I was diagnosed in 2022 with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. I'm aware of it and make sure I train well for any event I do.

"With cardiovascular conditions affecting my entire family, I have a vested interest in heart research and the work of BHF.

"I want to share my story to raise awareness of the impact of cardiovascular disease and support funding of research into treatments and cures.

"We don't form good character by everything going our way in life; we form it by facing the challenges. Running for Iris and for everyone living with cardiovascular disease, will take my feet to the finish line."

Orla Copeland, Fundraising Manager at British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland, said: "Robert's determination is truly inspiring. By taking on the Belfast Half Marathon for BHF, he is helping to fund lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases and raising vital awareness of conditions that affect so many families.

"We would love more people to follow Robert's lead and take on the Belfast Half Marathon for BHF NI. Whether you run in memory of someone you love, to celebrate your own heart health journey, or simply to take on a new challenge, every step helps us power the research that can save and improve lives.

"Sign up before 17 August and join Team BHF on the start line this September."