‘It will be like

Neil Baxter will use the memories of stepdaughter Emily Branje to inspire him during the mountain run in the Coast to Coast multisport event tomorrow.

Emily drowned when caught by a rogue wave while with extended family at the mouth of the Hokitika River in late September last year.

Christchurch’s Baxter will have Emily’s name embossed on his race-day bib, and also wear a star-shaped piece of jewellery with her finger print embedded in it during the 30.5km run from the West Coast to Canterbury.

‘‘I will be carrying that so we will both be making the journey on that day,’’ Baxter said.

Mum Janine Branje fondly recalled past Coast to Coast races when Emily would cheer on Baxter and other athletes, and believes she would have approved of her partner’s decision to accept the event organiser’s invite to slip him in at late notice and pay his entry fee.

‘‘It will be like she is doing it with us,’’ an emotional Branje, who will also be a support crew member for Team CP at the weekend, said. Baxter will also assist the team on Saturday.

Losing Emily had created a massive void in their lives but Baxter’s preparations for his 11th appearance in the event had given the pair something positive to focus on.

Simple things like getting outside for a walk in the evening, or helping Baxter get fit for the gruelling run across the Southern Alps, were part of the healing process.

‘‘Don’t get me wrong, I have moments where I bawl my eyes out and wonder how I ever got into this situation and how I am going to move forward,’’ Branje said.

‘‘But, then, that’s also a harmful situation and you have to get yourself back to what is helpful and exercise is helpful. It’s all about the exercise and getting back in the fresh air.’’