Last year I ran the Great South Run for Betsy. This year I’m doing it for Dad.
If you’ve followed #MyWorld for a while, you’ll know that running and challenge events have become my way of creating positive change from difficult situations. Last year every mile was for #RunForBoo. This year, every mile will be in memory of someone who meant the world to me – my Dad.
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.
I therefore wish to do as much as I can in Dad’s memory to support Phyllis Tuckwell and this year I’m not alone. My uncle Dave is running with me plus my Alfie (aged 12) and Betsy-Ann (aged 9) will be running the Junior Great South Run (2.5K) in memory of their Grandad.
So on race day, when I line up at the start of the Great South Run, this one is for Dad. It will be for the proud husband, Dad and Grandad who rarely missed a sporting event. It will be for the man cheering us on from the side lines and the Pompey fan who had blue running through his veins.
And it will be for all those families who find themselves needing the support of Phyllis Tuckwell in the future.
I’ll be honest, ten miles still feels like a very long way and there will almost certainly be moments when I’ll question my life choices to run this year! There may even be a few choice words around mile eight but I know why I’m doing it.
Every training run, blister, early morning, late night and every mile is all for a reason.
If you’d like to support me, I’d be incredibly grateful for any donation, however big or small. More importantly, I’d love your encouragement along the way because sometimes that’s what gets you to the finish line.
Dad always loved hearing about our sporting adventures – this year, he’ll be the reason for mine.
Wish me luck.
Play up Pompey. 💙
More info ℹ️
Feel free to follow me on Strava and give me some Kudos plus 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 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
#MyWorld 