Immie’s story: "Taking on a challenge during a period of grief was extremely cathartic."

Supporter Immie recently took part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in memory of her dad, Mark, on what would have been his 64th birthday. In her story, Immie reflects on the journey that led her to this half marathon and shares her tips and advice for anyone considering taking on a challenge for St John's Hospice.

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In September 2024, my dad, Mark Edmonds, died after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. During one of my evening visits to the hospice, I saw the flyer for the London Landmarks Half Marathon and noticed, by coincidence, that it was taking place on his birthday. My dad was incredibly resilient during his cancer journey, and I wanted to take on a challenge in his memory and raise money for a great cause.

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While the days spent visiting my dad in the hospice were some of my most difficult, the hospice was a peaceful place. It allowed my dad to spend his last weekend listening to his favourite music (The Beatles), surrounded by friends, family and his beloved dog Roxy. We all felt incredibly supported by the nurses and doctors, which gave us the opportunity to say a proper goodbye. I just can't imagine what the grief would have been like if we had not got this opportunity. Sadly, my dad and I never got to speak about the race, but I know he would have loved the idea.

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My running journey began when, like many others, I took it up as a distraction during lockdown. The first 5K I ran was to raise money for the NHS through the viral 5K challenge. I discovered a genuine love for running (along with an addiction to Strava) and gradually increased my distance.

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In 2023, I decided to sign up for the Hackney Half Marathon. Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned; due to a combination of heat exhaustion and dehydration, I collapsed at Mile 11 and ended up in Royal London Hospital. I felt so disappointed and was hesitant to sign up for another race. But when I saw the flyer in the hospice last September, it felt like a sign to give it another try!

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This time, I felt more physically and mentally prepared, and I put less pressure on myself during training. My goal was simply to complete the course and raise money, not to achieve a specific time.

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I really enjoyed training this time around. Everyone is different, but what worked for me was running three times a week: one fast 5K, one easy 7 or 8K, and a long run on Sundays. The week before the race, I recommend that anyone focus on hydration, rest, and carbs! I significantly increased my carb intake three days before the race, and I think it made a huge difference to my energy levels.

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On race day, I initially felt quite nervous, being surrounded by thousands of runners and attending the race alone. However, I quickly realised there was a great sense of camaraderie among the runners, and I ended up chatting with people in the very long toilet queues!

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The race itself was amazing and quite emotional. The crowd support was unbelievable, and I didn’t even need music or a podcast for motivation (my usual go-to for long runs). The sun was shining, and I made sure to stop at the water stations, avoiding another mishap at Mile 11.

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Of course, there were hard moments, but if you can remind yourself that the run is more of a mental game than anything, those moments can be overcome. I crossed the finish line with a time of 1 hour 53 minutes - I was shocked but delighted. Meeting up with family and friends after completing the run was a feeling I’ll never forget…and it was probably one of the best days of my life!

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To anyone considering taking on a challenge to support the hospice, I say do it! Taking on a challenge during a period of grief was extremely cathartic, so I would particularly encourage those who are going through a difficult time to consider it - not only are you supporting this amazing and vital charity, but you are looking out for yourself too.

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The St John’s team provides all the support and encouragement you need. They regularly checked in with me, invited me to participate in their Elf Dash to get me in the mood, and sent me a race day goody bag! Additionally, supporting and raising money for a charity makes completing a challenge that much more rewarding.

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We’d like to thank Immie for sharing her story with us and for raising an incredible £3,400 for St John’s Hospice in memory of her dad. If you’re feeling inspired by Immie and are looking for a challenge, we have races suitable for all abilities. From the Saucony 10K in July, our Elf Dash in November, to the London Landmarks Half or the Brighton Marathon next April. We are also now accepting applications for our 2026 London Marathon team. To find out more about these events and to sign up, visit www.stjohnshospice.org.uk/events.

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