"When I run, I feel my dad by my side"

Why Rosie’s taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Rosie’s taking on an epic challenge in 2024 in memory of George, her dad, who sadly passed away from bowel cancer earlier this year.

My dad, George, was truly one of a kind. The list of things he could do was endless; he was an incredible cook, he could fix anything and turn his hand to whatever was needed. Completely self-taught, he could fix cars and computers, do furniture repairs, identify any bird in the sky and make the whole room fill with laughter at the drop of a hat. He was also a loving husband and father, who would move mountains for his wife and children. Most importantly though, he was selfless. If you needed him, he was there, no question.

My dad hadn’t been feeling quite himself. His appetite had changed - he once loved flavours, but food began to taste different and he didn’t feel so hungry. Where he was once full of energy and could lift both my sister and I over his shoulders at the age of 55, he became weaker and floored by lethargy. Where he once had a rounder tummy, he became thin.

My dad wasn’t one to visit the doctor, and he put all of these symptoms, including bowel changes and a consistent bladder infection, down to old age, or perhaps long COVID. I felt helpless seeing my dad deteriorating before my very eyes, and there was nothing I could do about it.

After months of suggesting a visit to the doctor, and after trying anything and everything to boost his energy, he agreed to go and get seen to. In May 2023, the doctor sent my dad for a CT scan. The results came, and armed with the worst news possible, my dad and my mum called my sister and me, and our lives changed forever. The doctor was shocked my dad could even walk, never mind be able to work as the bowel cancer was advanced and it was everywhere, and there was nothing they could do.

My dad took the diagnosis and accepted it. He said that these were the cards he had been dealt, and he ensured in every waking moment from then on that my mum, sister and I, (‘his girls’ as he would call us), were equipped for life without him. Over a short space of time, I learnt how to blow up the tyres for the car, how to change a toilet seat, how to cut a turnip properly (there is a method!). Staying true to himself, he made a sale on Gumtree days before he died, made jokes and comforted us when we couldn’t bear the thought of life without him. Selfless, to the very end.

In June 2023, in the short space of three weeks since his diagnosis, my dad passed away aged 60 in his home, surrounded by his girls. Words can’t describe how much we miss him, his sarcasm and humour, and his depth of knowledge. We all have a big hole in our lives that will never be filled.

When I run, I feel my dad by my side. I wanted to do something to make him proud, whilst raising awareness for a cancer that can often be mistaken for many other illnesses. I decided to take on the challenge to do the half marathon distance in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival event. I’ve dabbled in running, but I’ve only done a 10k once, and otherwise I’ve never ran more than 5k so it’s nice to have something to work towards. I have some lovely people willing to train with me, and I look forward to joining the others who are also doing the half marathon on the day to raise awareness for this often misdiagnosed disease.

I’m doing it for you, Dad!

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