A few months ago we lost Dad after his battle with cancer. Like many families who find themselves walking this path, we quickly discovered that it’s not a journey you can navigate alone.
During those difficult days, the support we received from Phyllis Tuckwell was incredible. They cared not only for Dad but also for all of us around him – giving us the support when we needed it most, offering us reassurance when things felt overwhelming and helping us make the most of the time we had left together. For that, I will be forever grateful.
That’s why this weekend, Alfie, Betsy-Ann, Uncle David and I ran the Great South Run – in Dad’s memory and to support Phyllis Tuckwell.
On Saturday it was race day for Alf and Boo – running for Grandad who runs in our hearts everyday.
Around 1,500 children took part in the Junior and Mini Great South Run – Betsy took part in the girls junior race (ages 9-15) and came 44 overall. She was determined to give it her all and showed great passion and with tears in her eyes she ran her heart out at both the start and finish line.
It was then Alfie’s turn to take part in the boys junior race (ages 9-15) and he came 78 overall. He ran the race in true Alfie style with a smile on his face and also finding the time at the finish line to give us his version of the ‘Eddie the Eagle’ dance!
We are all incredibly proud of them both – this was their first running race outside of school and an emotional one at that. Alfie’s advice remains the same to anyone considering running next year’s race: “Just do it! Have fun and run it your way – you don’t have to win, you don’t have to be fast – just enjoy running by the sea and around Pompey. That’s what I did as well as remembering my Grandad.”
They celebrated finishing their races in true seaside style with a stick of rock and a bag of candy floss.
On Sunday it was then our turn, uncle David and myself – to run 10miles around Pompey. I was feeling rather nervous especially with not feeling very well recently and not having been able to put in the training over the past few weeks’ but knew Dad would be cheering us on. We were at the back of 26,000 runners which was a little daunting but we said we would run it together and we did – we stuck together. The sun was shining as we pushed past the start line and started to tick off those miles. Alfie and Betsy did a great job motivating everyone to #KeepRunning at mile 7 and 9 – including Uncle David and myself! Overall the support, music, sweet treats and motivation got us through it and we legged it through the last mile, raising our hands together at the finish line!
I thought of Dad often as I ran around Portsmouth – Dad was there with me and I could hear his laugh, especially when I ran past those people dressed in red and white stripes! Uncle David would nudge me and somehow I found my self shouting ‘Come on you scummers, you can do this – #Keep Running’. I got a few laughs at least, along with a smile of ‘we beat you last weekend’ – but I wasn’t letting them beat me today!
I also found him when the ground was tough and would have done anything to walk – this was around mile 8. Supporters were playing ‘I’m in the mood for Dancing’ – one of Dad’s favourite tunes and one we often endured as kids.
We came in, in a position of 16,873 – not bad for 26,000 runners but it wasn’t about where we landed – it was about finishing, doing this for Dad, hearing his pep talk loud and clear and feeling his ever lasting presence.
Thank you to my uncle David who ran with me and got me through this! And thanks to everyone for supporting us and Phyllis Tuckwell, Hospice Care.
Dad would say thank you and PUP 💙
Supporting us 💙
There’s still time to support us – if you would like to sponsor Alfie, Betsy, Uncle Dave or myself you can do so here: AJ Bell Great South Run2026 | Claire-Marie’s Fundraising page.
You might like to read this too – Alfie (with some comms help from mum) also made it onto the Great South Run website with his story of why he was running here: Stories of Greatness from the South Coast: Alfie Lamport.
You can also learn more about my Dad and leave a tribute by reading my blog post here: Blue running through his veins.
Thank you. 💙💙💙😘
#KeepOnRunning #MummyClaris #UncleDave #AlfieBear #BetsyBoo
