Ever wonder why marathons always seem to be for someone? Blame Pheidippides, the ancient Greek messenger who ran 26 miles to Athens from Marathon, yelled “We won!” and then immediately dropped dead. Dramatic, right? The truth is, he actually ran 150 miles to Sparta but the 1896 Olympics ran with the shorter, more tragic version. Now, marathons are less about ancient history and more about one’s purpose in life. Need proof? A man from the UK is running his 27th half marathon. But why? Well, it is a heartfelt tribute to his late sister.
On April 14th, Barry Ahearn from Epsom, Surrey, will lace up for his final race—the Battersea Park Half Marathon—alongside his wife, Naomi. But why just a half marathon? There’s a reason for that. Barry has spent the past few months running 27 half marathons in memory of his sister, Abbie, who died in September 2023 after a cardiac arrest caused by a seizure—just six weeks after being diagnosed with epilepsy.
He wanted Abbie’s death “to mean something, to help make a difference… raise awareness of how serious this condition is,” he said. Abbie was three months away from her 30th birthday when she passed away, leaving behind memories of her infectious energy and humor. “She was so much fun to be around, always making jokes and playing pranks,” Barry shared.
“She brightened any room she walked into with her smile and is sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved her.” To honor her, Barry took on the challenge of running 27 half marathons—one for each minute Abbie’s brain was without oxygen while paramedics fought to save her. He’s already ticked off races like London Bridge and Carrington Water half-marathons, along with solo runs in his local park.
“The solo runs were the toughest emotionally,” he admitted. “It’s hard to stay focused and motivated when you’re alone, and of course, sometimes I was just thinking about Abbie.” Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurring seizures, triggered by sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is more serious than many realize.
In fact, three people lose their lives to epilepsy-related causes every day, according to Epilepsy Action. Barry isn’t just running to raise awareness; he’s also raising crucial funds. So far, his efforts have brought in an incredible £6,707 to support epilepsy research and support services.
Chief fundraiser Philippa Cartwright of the charity acknowledged his dedication by saying, “All of us at the charity are in complete awe of Barry’s incredible fundraiser. His determination and resilience are so inspiring and the money raised in Abbie’s memory will help so many people.” Barry continues to run while directing his effort toward two targets.
And they are himself, along with Abbie and every person struggling with epilepsy. Barry plans to run most of his events at London-based organized runs that begin with Crystal Palace on Sunday, April 14, followed by independent solo runs throughout different locations. Besides Barry, there exists another individual who participates in marathons in memory of a loved one.
A marathon a day! No ifs, ands, or buts
Leodhais Macpherson from Tynemouth, at age 27, dedicates his daily marathon runs to keep the memory of his deceased brother Connor, who died through suic*de in 2018. He runs one marathon sequentially for 128 days, extending to 3,332 miles (5,362 km) from North Shields to New York, where Connor dreamed of residency.
The marathon will span a period from January to June 2, when Connor would have celebrated his 28th birthday. For Leodhais, his activities extend past road measurement.“That’s probably been one of the hardest things so far over the past five weeks,” he admitted. “Not so much actually doing marathons, but just opening up that can of worms all over again, having to go through those sorts of emotions.”
Still, running has been his way of coping, helping him process his grief one step at a time. Leodhais has been a competitive runner since he was 12. But this challenge is about more than just running. It’s about making a difference. He’s raising money for RNLI and If U Care Share, a su*cide prevention charity. And he has already smashed his £10,000 fundraising target.
And with every mile, every blister, and every exhausted finish, he’s proving that love, loss, and resilience can push you further than you ever thought possible.
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