Marathon effort in memory of cousin
Determined Fort William runner Sharon Smith is taking on one of the UK’s biggest sporting challenges in memory of her cousin.
Sharon was heartbroken when her cousin Laura Barr died aged 51 after a four-year battle with a brain tumour. The cousins were born within months of each other and grew up together sharing the same family parties and Christmas celebrations.
Now Sharon has vowed to run the London Marathon in April to raise funds for research into the prevention and treatment of cancer. And Laura, who died in March this year, will be on her mind every step of the way.
Sharon said: ‘The whole family was shocked when we heard she had cancer but she remained upbeat and determined to make the most of every single second.
‘Running 26 miles will be tough, but that’s nothing compared to the challenges Laura met and tackled head on in the last few years of her life. I’ll never forget when we took part in the Race for Life 5K together after Laura had been diagnosed. Six of us completed it and were crying as we crossed the finish line. It was an emotional day but a hugely positive one too. I think Laura knew we were all doing it inspired by her.’
Sharon, manager of Cancer Research UK in Fort William, will around 40,000 people the shop join including Olympic athletes and fun runners taking part in the 2019 London Marathon. Last year, Cancer Research UK’s marathon team raised £1.4million to fund research.
It will be her fourth marathon as she has already completed the Fort William marathon twice and a marathon in Glasgow to mark the millennium.
‘Laura will be on my mind every step of the 26 miles,’ Sharon continued. ‘I’ll also be thinking about Colin, a wonderful man who used to volunteer at the Fort William Cancer Research UK and who died from cancer. He’s greatly missed. The London Marathon is one of the most famous running events in the world and I’m thrilled to be taking part in their honour.
‘The marathon training feels tough at times, especially as the weather gets colder and the days shorter. It often means getting out there to do training runs at 5am before work when the sun hasn’t risen yet. I’ll do it though – for Laura.’