11/10/2026
2013 was the first time that 'Team Bodie' took part in the Leicester Running Festival.
I was a newly bereaved Dad, deep in grief and desperately trying to find a way out. Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues, I took on my first ever half marathon in memory of Bodie with the simple of aim of getting it done and making him proud.
What I wasn't really prepared for was the outpouring of support and love from all of those Team Bodie runners that year. At the time I thought it was about them wanting to support me and our family but I completely underestimated how emotionally involved they were. Many of them were grieving as well and this was their way of showing how much they wanted to walk side by side with us and to help others.
We have continued to see that love and support every year since but something special has happened recently and today it was bigger and more obvious than ever.
We have a growing number of runners that we support at the charity who are now the person I was in 2013. Running in memory of their beautiful child surrounded by their friends and family, supporting one another as they all try and navigate their grief.
It's so sad that they are running for the reason they are but it's also so powerful to see how people come together to lift each other up.
I have to admit to feeling quite emotional at times today seeing so many Team Bodie tops around the course. Behind every one there is a story of sadness, love, support and a determination to make those children proud.
I hope that everyone out there today can see that they did something special, really special.
