Leila Trubridge will confound medical opinion this weekend.

Twelve months ago, doctors told the Lewes AC athlete she would never run again after an horrific fall in training.

As she was lying in the Royal Sussex Hospital with her right leg broken in three places and a fractured collarbone, the 27-year-old thought her athletics career was over.

But a year on, Leila is running again and ready to astound the experts who treated her horrendous injuries by competing in the London Marathon on Sunday.

She won't win, of course, and her time will be significantly slower than she was aiming for last year.

But crossing the finish line on The Mall will complete a remarkable recovery from that dark day last March.

Leila, a primary school teacher from East Grinstead, said: "I went for a quick run when I got home from work but tripped after crossing the A27.

"I've got no idea how I managed to do so much damage. I could feel my collarbone sticking out through the skin but it was my leg which really hurt.

"I phoned one of my friends to come and get me because I was in so much pain but I didn't need to because lots of motorists stopped as they thought I had been run over."

Once the extent of the damage was known, months of painful rehabilitation started.

But it was the thought of never being able to pull on her running shoes again that hurt most.

Leila said: "It happened exactly a month before I was due to run in the London Marathon. Knowing I wouldn't be able to run was more upsetting than all the pain.

"I mentioned to one of the doctors that I did a lot of running and he told me that I wouldn't be able to anymore and that really upset me.

"He said I would get osteoarthritis if I did but I explained how much I wanted to. I would have been devastated if there had been no way back.

"I used to love competing in cross country races for Lewes AC and I was team manager for the Southern Women's League side in the summer so it was hard to accept that it was over.

"I think the staff at the hospital admired my desire to run again but they said when I left that they would be amazed if I did the marathon the following year."

The road back has been longer than any marathon for Leila and the courage she has shown will stand her in good stead during the 26-mile route through London on Sunday.

She said: "First they put me in plaster for a couple of days before deciding what to do next. Luckily, I didn't need an operation because I am fairly active. My leg was in a machine which bent and straightened it for a week.

"When I was taken off that machine I had another week of lifting my leg up and down by myself before I was allowed to go home. Then I had another three months wearing a strange brace before I could even attempt to walk.

"I was eventually able to start running again in October but even now, I still don't feel right. It's uncomfortable rather than painful and I have developed a bit of a limp.

"Last year I was hoping to complete the marathon in about 3hr.50min but I know that is not possible anymore. I'm very competitive, though, and am determined to get as close as I can."

Leila's task will be made even more difficult because she will run in fancy dress to raise money for those who helped her get back on her feet.

Not content with proving the doctors wrong by running the race, she will do it with a foam Concorde costume strapped to her back in aid of the Royal Sussex.

She said: "Everyone was brilliant when I was in hospital and looked after me really well so I thought it would be nice to give something back.

"Some people suggested I dress up as Mr Bump in reference to my accident but I thought the costume would be a bit too bulky. My mum Lynn came up with the idea of doing it as Concorde. It has flown its last flight and this will probably be my last marathon so it is quite apt.

"But then again my leg might feel okay in another year's time and then maybe I'll give it another go."