In August last year, I lost my greatest supporter. The man who always had my back and quietly cheered for me from the sidelines. Who worried endlessly and celebrated freely through all my early races. Though he never told me until a few years ago, dad did actually run when he was my age. I often find myself wondering if life had been a touch kinder to him, whether I’d have ever got him out on the road with me.

My dad suffered a long battle with cancer, it started shadowing his footsteps way back in 2017, and despite him fighting valiantly, it eventually came back for him, with a vengeance in late 2024.

The Monday of the week he passed, we were laughing at the prognosis of another few months together. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. Cancer has its own timeline.

When I initially signed up for London in 2023, I was doing it for me. Now, I’m doing it for a cause, and it’s lit a fire under me. I’m doing London to raise money for the cancer charity who gave my dad so much in his final months. CLAN was a sanctuary, providing him with support, friendship and rehabilitation that meant far more than the time he spent within their walls.

I truly hope that your family or friends are never touched by this awful disease. It rips and rends families apart without a single thought. However, should you be, it’s charities like CLAN who will pick you up and help you all through. They are so grateful for your support - as am I. Both on race day and also in their stead.

I’m running for my dad. I’m going to leave it all out there. For this pain, this will only be temporary.