Stockton man who lost 34 stone and survived open-heart surgery takes on new challenge

A Warwickshire man who was once told he had less than six weeks to live is preparing to tackle the Wolf Run less than a year after undergoing life-saving open-heart surgery.

Mark Bailey, 46, from Stockton, better known to friends and family as Tiny, will take on the 5km Autumn Wolf wild muddy obstacle run on 11 September to raise funds for the Rugby Cardiac Rehabilitation team that helped him rebuild his life following major heart surgery.

The challenge marks the latest chapter in an extraordinary transformation for Tiny, who has lost more than 34 stone over the last four years.

At his heaviest, Tiny weighed 48.7 stone. After learning he would need open-heart surgery, doctors told him that losing weight would significantly improve his chances of a successful operation.

Determined to give himself the best possible opportunity, he embarked on a remarkable weight-loss journey, shedding 28 stone before surgery in October 2025 and a further 6.5 stone afterwards. All without any medical intervention, refusing both a gastric band and weight management medication, focusing on exercise and diet. 

In September 2025, he was told he may have less than six weeks to live unless he underwent surgery to replace his aortic valve with a mechanical valve.

The operation was successful, but recovery was far from straightforward. Following surgery, Tiny joined Rugby Cardiac Rehabilitation's 16-session recovery programme, where specialist staff helped him regain his fitness and confidence.

He said: "Only eight months ago, I could barely walk across a field without clutching my chest and holding my wife's arm for support. The team at Rugby Cardiac Rehabilitation were incredible. They helped me understand what my new heart could do and gave me the confidence to exercise again. Step by step, they helped me rebuild my strength and my life.

"When I was told in September 2025 that I had less than six weeks to live, I turned to my family and said, 'Don't worry, because in September 2026, I'm doing the Wolf Run’. At the time, nobody thought I'd even be alive to say the words Wolf Run, let alone take part in it."

Today, Tiny trains in the gym five times a week, runs at least 10km every week and is preparing to tackle mud, water and obstacles at Autumn Wolf.

His fundraising aims to help Rugby Cardiac Rehabilitation purchase vital equipment for future patients. The team hopes to raise around £6,000, with approximately £2,500 already secured.

Anyone wishing to support Tiny's fundraising can donate via his GoFundMe page: www.gofundme.com/f/from-open-heart-surgery-to-the-wolf-run   

He added: "Crossing the finish line won't just mean completing a run, it will show just how far I've come. I want to help the next person who walks through those rehab doors feeling frightened and uncertain, just like I did."

Autumn Wolf forms Wolf Run's 15th anniversary celebrations, with thousands of runners expected to descend on the Warwickshire event for a weekend of obstacle racing, mud and adventure. The event features 5km, 10km and Junior Wolf distances and welcomes participants of all abilities. 

Entries are still open for the final Wolf Run of the year. To join Tiny and thousands in Leamington Spa next weekend, visit: www.thewolfrun.com