A REDDITCH woman who undertook her first London Marathon in memory of her dad is urging everyone to take part in the Wythall and Hollywood Fun Run.
Sonia Tudor used to run 5K two or three times week with her dad Calvin and it became important time they spent together.
Then, in 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer and then lost his battle with the disease.
Sonia moved into her parents’ house – her mum had passed away eight years before him – both very young at 50 and 58.
When her dad died, Sonia stopped running as it did not feel right going without him and then all that changed.
“Whilst sorting some cupboards out one day, I found a tiny black diary in which my dad had written a bucket list.
“On this list was to run a half-marathon and the London Marathon.”
Sonia dug out her running shoes and became determined to run the London Marathon for him.
In a twist of fate, after getting a place from Macmillan Cancer Support – a charity she had volunteered with for 24 years – the race was on his birthday.
She said: “I cried for the whole 26.2 miles
“I was proud to wear my MacMillan shirt and carry the names on my back of all those I’ve loved and lost to cancer.
“I always ran by myself, music in my ears, depending on my mood.
“Sometimes motown classics, even musicals I’d watched with my mum.”
Then a couple of friends nagged her to join a running club – she tried it and loved it.
Then, with a public health grant, Sonia qualified to be an England Athletics Leadership in Running Fitness (LIRF) coach.
With some friends, she set up another running group with Run Together and became a mentor for new LIRFs.
Sonia leads the Couch to 5K programme for Redditch Borough Council. New sessions begin on Monday, April 20.
She said: “It’s so rewarding to be a part of so many people’s running stories – it’s a huge honour.
“I am passionate about running it’s so good for mind, body and soul.
“It’s my time, my head space and the chats, the laughs and the friends we meet along the way – it is so heartwarming.
“Our running community is so supportive, so special.
“I’m so proud to be a part of it.
“I have many running stories and moments and many more to come.”
She said the two which meant the world to her included crossing the London Marathon finish line for the first time on her dad’s birthday.
“It is one I’ll never forget it. I cried to the poor lady giving my medal which had his birth date on.
“What a day what an emotional and incredible day that was.”
Her other most memorable run was on her 50th birthday when she decided to run 50 miles.
“I felt like Madonna in the park, surrounded by runners that had come from all over the country to support me and run a few laps with me.
“Wow. I was so overwhelmed. What a day. What a birthday.
“I love running and if I can encourage others to run then it makes it all worth it – I promised my dying daddy I would do my best to try and make a difference.
“Dust your pumps off, put them on. I promise you, you’ll not regret it.”
The Hollywood and Wythall Fun Run takes place on June 7 – visit: wythallhollywoodfunrun.org.uk for more and to sign up for either the 5K, 10K or the Families on Track relay.
For more on the Couch to 5K sessions in Bromsgrove and Redditch, email the Sports Development team at: [email protected] or call 01527 881404.
