Our Runner’s stories
Every year we have an amazing team of runners, and many of them have also lost one or both parents as a young adult. We want to share their stories to help show to you that you’re not alone in your grief!
We have also shared their JustGiving links, so if any resonate with you and you’d like to help fund our work here are It’s Time click the links! And a huge thank you for all the support.
Emily’s Story
In July 2023 when I was 26, I lost my Mom to cancer. Mom had a short but strong battle before she was taken far too soon at just 53 - I miss her so much. Mom will be in my heart forever and I think about her beautiful smile everyday.
Losing a parent as a young adult feels like a constant reminder of the things they’ll miss out on in your life - house moves, getting married, having children etc - all things that you should be able to do with your Mom at your side. My hope is that Mom will be proud of me through all these life milestones in the future, even though she can’t be here with us.
I am running London Landmarks Half Marathon in memory of my Mom and to raise money for It’s Time - a charity that supports young people who have experienced parent loss. Any donations will be massively appreciated and go directly to the charity to support other young adults navigating grief.
Lucy’s Story
On the 19th April 2026, I will be running Manchester Marathon in memory of my incredible Mum, Tracy. I’m running because living in a world without my Mum has forced me to push myself out of my comfort zone and I want to keep doing that, for her. Losing a parent as a young adult is terrifying and your loss is constantly amplified by big milestones in life, moments that they’re missing out on. If one person feels better after reading my story, then I have already done my job.
I started my running journey in 2022, 5 weeks before she died, as a complete novice. My mum’s unexpected death stunted my progress and catapulted me into “existing” rather than living. I’ve spent the last 3 years navigating a new world and figuring who am I now, if I’m not Tracy’s daughter. I now run regularly and cannot articulate how amazing it has been for my mental health. Despite being more experience now than in 2022, running a marathon is going to be a momentous personal, physical and emotional challenge for me and I am so honoured to do this whilst raising money for It’s Time.
If you are lucky enough to be in a position to donate any pennies, please consider donating to the charity through my Just Giving page. All donations go directly to the charity and will contribute to making the world an easier place to be for young adults who have lost their parent/s. Thank you so much for the support!
Mia’s story:
Hi, my name is Mia Day. I'm 18 years old, and I lost my dad to heart failure in the early hours of New Year’s Day when I was just 16.
It felt like my whole world was falling apart, but I came to understand that my grief was completely normal and that it was okay to feel the way I did. After losing my dad, I found myself feeling jealous when my friends talked about doing things with their dad’s. It made me feel like mine had been taken from me far too soon.
Since losing my dad, I’ve faced ongoing struggles with my mental health and came to realise that support isn’t always offered—you often have to seek it out yourself at such a young age. I reached out for help through the NHS’s talking therapies, where I explored different types of treatment, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). These sessions, along with being prescribed medication, have played a crucial role in helping me cope with my trauma and begin to navigate my own healing process.
Grief is still something I carry with me every day, but one thing I hold onto is the belief that my dad would be proud of the person I’m becoming. I was unbelievably lucky to have Peter Pan as my dad—a man full of magic, mischief, and endless love. I take each day as it comes, holding onto his humour, his spirit, and the joy he brought into every moment. His stories, his laughter, and everything he was will live on through me. As long as I’m here, I promise to keep his spirit alive and make sure the world never forgets the wonder that he was.
Taradee’s story:
In February 2021, I lost my mum very suddenly when she suffered a heart attack in her sleep when I was 24. What should of just been a normal day turned into my worst nightmare when I found myself in the world without either parent as my dad passed away when I was 12 from cancer.
My mum was my one safe space, my constant in life and my ultimate best friend and trying to navigate a world that she isn't in has the been the hardest time.
I learnt over the years that grief is like a shadow, no matter how fast or far you run it will always follow you. It creeps up when it's least expected and consumes you whole, put it can also be a comfort.
My mum had cared and helped people her whole life, from her personal life to her role as a nurse. When I stumbled across the charity on tiktok, it opened up the opportunity to be able to do something with my mums legacy, to reflect the work she did in my own way.
Running in the Great North Run for it's time is a huge honor to me and being able to raise awareness and support others who are going through similar situations.