“We went through everything with Dad together, we’ll get through this together, too”

Running in memory of Dad

When Emma and Jamie, from Stokenchurch, lost their dad last year they wanted to give something back to the charity that had supported the whole family in his final weeks. Despite neither of them being ‘natural runners’ Jamie suggested they take part in the London Marathon and Emma agreed.  Emma explains their motivation for taking on the challenge, how the training is going and what they’re both feeling as they approach the big day.

“We lost Dad in March [2024] and I think it was around June time that Jamie called me and said ‘I’ve had a great idea. We need to apply for London Marathon places with Rennie Grove Peace to raise as much money as possible to support them!’.  

“I was shocked. Although I’m sporty, I’ve never been a runner. I’ve always fancied the idea of running the London Marathon as it’s such an iconic event, but I never thought I’d actually do it. So we took the plunge and both applied. 

“We found out during the summer holidays that we had a place. That’s when the panic set in! 

“From about September to December I started to go for runs, but quite sporadically. Then since January Jamie and I have been following a beginners’ marathon training plan. It’s a 16-week plan and it generally includes two shorter runs during the week and a long run each weekend.  

“Jamie and I do the longer runs together and it has been so nice for us to spend this time together.  

“I’m the slower runner and Jamie could probably run quicker than me, but he was clear right from the start that it was about doing this together. I’ve often said that he should go on ahead of me but he was adamant that we were doing this together. He would say ‘we went through everything with Dad together, we’ll get through this together, too’.  

“I’ve now given up on feeling guilty about holding him back and we’re just enjoying the process together. For us it really isn’t about completing it in a certain time or beating a personal best. Our two aims are to complete the course and to raise as much money as possible for Rennie Grove Peace.  

 “In terms of the race, if we need to walk a bit at the end to get to that finish line, we will. It will just be so nice to start the race together and finish it together.”  

Preparing for the London Marathon has been a real family affair, with the whole extended family supporting Emma and Jamie.

“We’re a really close family and I think this has been great for giving the whole family something to focus on, especially us, our Mum and younger brother Harry. Although it’s Jamie and me running on the day, it has been a real family effort. Others in the family have been heavily involved in fundraising, including my gran, aunt and Dad’s nine grandchildren, which has been amazing. We also both need to lean on our partners for help to make the time to run. I have four children and Jamie has three. So we’re both relying on our partners to pick up everything at home when we go for long runs.  

“I also often go for my shorter runs in the week with Jamie’s partner, Emma. She has been an amazing support to me during those training runs and also instrumental in helping with our fundraising.  

“There have been times when both our households have been battling illnesses or other challenges and we all pull together to help. Just like we did when Dad was ill.” 

As race day draws nearer, Emma reflects on the final push of their training. She says: 

“Jamie and I ran the Milton Keynes Half Marathon as part of our training. We both found that really tough and were in quite a bit of pain afterwards. So that worried me a lot. How could we do double that on the day of the London Marathon? But a few weekends later we did an 18-mile training run and we both ended it feeling much better. Almost like we could have gone further. So that made us feel better.  

“We’re heading towards the peak of our training plan now, when we’ll run 20 or 22 miles, before it tapers down to race day.  

“I’m looking forward to the day of the London Marathon. Jamie has run it once before in 2016 and he really enjoyed the experience. He recalls the incredible atmosphere and how tough the last six miles were so we have trained differently this time to try and make the last few miles more manageable.  

“I’ve never done anything like this before. Prior to this training the furthest I had run was 10K so I don’t really know what to expect! Marathon day will bring many emotions. It is a culmination of all our hard work – both training and fundraising – and also a very real reminder of why we set out to do this in the first place. Dad will be at the forefront of our minds and will help us to push through any tough moments, along with the incredible crowds and atmosphere. It will be a massive achievement and a great way to say ‘thank you’ to Rennie Grove Peace for everything they did for Dad and our family.   

“Pretty much our whole family is heading up to London for the day to support us! They’re all excited to be there and be part of it. I think they’ll track us as we run and aim to see us at two or three points along the route.  

“Jamie and I really looking forward to smashing this challenge together. We know it will be tough and there will be times we feel like giving up. But if our experience with Dad’s illness has taught us anything it’s to ‘just keep going’.” 

Post Marathon Update:

“Wow, what a day! It is such a great feeling to knowing we completed what we set out to do and raised lots of money in memory of our Dad. It was tough. We knew from the forecasts earlier in the week we would need to slow down and hydrate more due to the heat but even after taking this into account, it was harder than expected. We did relatively well up until around 24 miles but then I struggled with my hip and Jamie had terrible cramp in his calf and quad. We knew we had to get to the end so, after some help from the physio, we walked the last two miles leaving enough energy to run over the finish line. The immense sense of pride, relief and disbelief was very real when we crossed that line!

“The whole experience was something we will never forget. It was an emotional build up to the day, with constant reminders of why we were doing this which helped to spur us on. At various points along the course the emotions over took and we struggled to hold it together. Seeing our loved ones along the way was much needed and very emotional, our children were so excited to see us.

“The incredible atmosphere not only helped to keep us going but was a constant source of inspiration, reminding us that not only were we running for our Dad, but thousands of others were running for their loved ones too. Runners and spectators pulled together to encourage, support and celebrate each other’s achievements and that in itself was quite overwhelming.

“Seeing that finish line at the end was what we’ve worked towards for months. With Dad’s picture proudly displayed on our backs and wearing the incredible Rennie Grove Peace Hospice shirts, we finished. And we did it for our Dad, and everyone else’s loved ones who have been supported by this wonderful charity.

“I couldn’t have done it without Jamie. I think we spurred each other on and supported each other through tough, emotional moments throughout the day. It was a special day running with one of my brothers and having our other brother and Mum (and the rest of the family) there supporting us every step of the way in the crowd. Dad would proud of us all, I’m sure. “