Running the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Honour of My Dad, “Christmas Brian”.

This September, James will join hundreds of runners in the Robin Hood Half Marathon, taking on the iconic Nottingham route. This race holds special meaning for James, as he’s running in memory of his dad, who sadly passed away in December.

In December 2023, my dad, Christopher James McBrien, affectionately known as “Christmas Brian,” sadly passed away at 67 after battling bile duct cancer. Losing him was incredibly difficult for our close-knit family. The care we received, especially from the staff on F22 at Queens Medical Centre, was exceptional. Their support and compassion in the run up to his diagnosis and during his final year were hugely comforting.

“I’ve always been a runner, but until last year, 10k was the furthest I’d ever gone. I never would have considered a marathon without a worthy cause. Now that I’ve found one, I’m hoping to turn my sadness into something positive and show my thanks to the staff.

“I’m excited and nervous about the event, but I’m getting competitive—I’m aiming to finish in an hour and fifty minutes. I expect to get emotional near the finish line, as the only other time I ran this race was as a teenager, with my dad cheering me on.

“My good friend Joel, a local doctor, has supported me personally and with training, and I’m honoured to run alongside him. Knowing that my fundraising will help other patients and families like ours will keep me going through every mile.”

You can join James and our other incredible runners at this year’s Robin Hood Half Marathon. If a half marathon feels like too much, organise your own 1k, 2k, 5k, or 10k race. Get in touch, and our friendly team will guide you every step of the way.