Ryan Curtis-Johnson - Running the London Marathon to honour my Mum
Ryan Curtis-Johnson will celebrate turning 40 this year by running the iconic London Marathon in memory of his beautiful mum Ann Curtis and continuing to raise vital funds for Saint Francis Hospice.
Running the London Marathon is a dream for so many and it will be a huge personal achievement.
I did this 15 years ago, and my mum, dad and brother all watched me, and to do it in honour of my mum makes it even more special. Crossing that finish line will be an emotional and proud moment.
Saint Francis Hospice provided incredible care and support to my mum before she died on 7th March 2022 and my family during a very difficult time. As I turn 40 in 2025, I wanted to take on a meaningful challenge in her memory while raising vital funds for this amazing organisation.
Many see hospices as a place that people go to as their final resting place. But they are so much more than that; for me, Saint Francis Hospice is a place I'll be eternally grateful for. The duty of care they give to the people and families is exceptional. Going above and beyond is in their DNA, running through them all like a red thread.
Mum was initially reluctant to go on to the ward but once she was there, she secretly loved it. She was chatting with the nurses and then the other people. She was getting up to mischief. She always talked about the nurses being angels without wings. They were attentive, compassionate and personable.
I know now the ultimate feeling of grief. I not only lost my Mum, and she was a wonderful one. But I lost my best friend, my greatest supporter. You always need your Mum, even in adulthood.
Our Saint Francis Hospice journey didn't end when my Mum passed away. In fact, they've been pivotal in supporting us through our grief journey.
I am pleased with the progress I've made in training and I’m trying to listen to my body and be kind with myself. My motivation comes from remembering why I’m doing this—my mum. On tough days, I remind myself that this challenge is nothing compared to what she went through, and that keeps me pushing forward. Also, I want to make my kids and family proud.
I’m looking forward to soaking in the incredible atmosphere and enjoying the experience rather than chasing a specific finish time. Most importantly, I can’t wait to share this moment with my two children and make it a day to remember for us all.
