A man with cerebral palsy can finally take part in the virtual London Marathon after his request to take longer than 24 hours was originally refused.

Patrick Barden, who lives in Shorne, near Gravesend, uses a walker and due to problems with his balance cannot run, making it impossible for him to finish the 26.2 miles in one day.

The 29-year-old has cerebral palsy which affects his balance and means he needs a walker to get around.

He can average one mile every 30 minutes but after three or four hours his muscles seize up, and he needs to rest or have other interventions such as a sports massage.

Earlier this year he asked if the marathon team would support him in walking the distance over four or five days, as he has done in previous events.

In response he received this statement: "As per the terms and conditions, we ask that everyone who takes part completes the event within a 24-hour time-frame."

But after a review into its entry processes, TCS London Marathon has announced last week three immediate changes, meaning Patrick can complete the virtual event across a series of days.

The new changes are as follows:

• Wheelchair participants who need to be assisted or pushed by others will be allowed to enter the marathon for the first time.
• General entry participants or those with a Good For Age or Championship place, who are either pregnant or postpartum, will have the opportunity to defer their place to one in the same category in any future London Marathon within a three-year window.
• Participants in the virtual marathon are currently required to complete the 26.2 miles in 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds on marathon day but from this year anyone who cannot complete it on this day due to religious reasons will be allowed to take part in the event on the next suitable day. Furthermore, those with a disability that prevents them from completing it within the time limit will be given special dispensation to complete the 26.2 miles in a time frame that is achievable for them.

Patrick said: "I am grateful that London Marathon listened and were adaptable and I'm happy to be allowed to take part in such a big event alongside others.

"I think it is a massive step going forward for the London Marathon as it means that all participants will be seen as equal even though they may have to complete it in a different way.

"It also gives encouragement to disabled people who otherwise thought it was an unobtainable goal to participate."

He plans to cover seven miles on each of his first three days – which will take him around four to five hours – and will then finish the final miles on the day of the event on Sunday, October 2.

Hugh Brasher, event director of the TCS London Marathon, said: "We want to make the marathon the most diverse, equitable and inclusive marathon in the world.

"With this objective in mind, we have been reviewing our entry terms and conditions, and while we recognise there is still more work to be done, we believe these changes are an important step forward."

Patrick is participating in the virtual event in aid of Step and Learn based in Frindsbury Road, Strood, which he credits for where he is today.

The charity offers conductive education to children with cerebral palsy and other associated motor disorders, using play to teach them how to control their physical movements.

Runners of the virtual marathon can choose to complete it wherever they like as long as it is outdoors and they have a 24-hour window to log all the miles meaning it can be done in stages or all at once. The route is logged via an official app which tracks runners.