Running through grief: Hannah’s Mother’s Day half marathon
March 2026
This Mother’s Day, WAY member Hannah, 36, won’t be having a lie in and breakfast in bed. She’ll be running a half marathon to raise funds for WAY. Here’s her story….
When WAY member Hannah first started running a few years ago, it was simply a way to get fit. Inspired by her dad, who has always been a keen runner, and spurred on by a bit of friendly sibling rivalry when her brother took it up too, she laced up her trainers and joined in.
After the sudden death of her husband Steve in August 2024, running turned into something far more meaningful – a way to process the overwhelming emotions that followed and to find moments of relief in the midst of grief.
“I started running a couple of years before my husband died, just as a way to get fit,” Hannah explains. “My dad has always been a big runner and when my brother took up running, the competitive sibling in me decided to as well! Then, when Steve passed away, running became a bit of a lifeline.”
“I was so angry when he first died, so I took that anger out on the pavements,” she says. “I funnelled that energy and frustration into running as fast and as long as I could. It felt like a bit of a release, just for a little while.”
Now, a year and a half on, running continues to play a crucial role in helping Hannah navigate life as a widowed parent. She is mum to two children, aged eight and 15, and Steve also had two sons from a previous relationship, aged 16 and 20. Hannah and the four children all still spend time together every other weekend, something that feels especially important to her.
“Family was everything to Steve, so it really feels like he is with us when we’re all together and I know he would be pleased when we are having a good time,” she says.
Navigating widowed parenting
Learning to balance full-time work, parenting and grief over the last 18 months has been a huge challenge.
“Navigating motherhood as a widowed parent has been intense,” says Hannah. “Now we are a year and a half into this journey, we have slowly built some sort of vague normality. I am back to work full time, as well as being a full time single mum. I rarely have time to stop. But the children understand that we all need to pitch in and continue to support each other – and we do always find some time to have some fun together too.”
“I consider myself very lucky to have the children that I do have,” she says. “They are all fantastic and we really all pulled together to get through things.”
“My daughter especially really showed huge maturity and stepped up and helped in any way she could,” says Hannah. “We were close before, but now we have the most incredible bond. I feel like we could get through anything.”
While Hannah has found invaluable support from family and friends, charities have also played an important role in helping her family process their grief. While she turned to WAY Widowed and Young for peer support for herself, Winston’s Wish provided bereavement counselling for her son, who turned seven on the day his dad died and was present when he collapsed.
“Winston’s Wish were so accommodating,” says Hannah. “My son was able to have the sessions while he was at school with a trusted adult, rather than at home with me, as I felt he may not have opened up about things with me present, as he would worry about upsetting me.”
“He really enjoyed the sessions and has some lovely keepsakes too. My 15-year-old daughter also has the contact information for the WhatsApp service they provide. I’m not sure if she has used it, as I like to respect her privacy, but I think this is a fantastic idea for older children to get support too.”
Wanting to give something back to the charity that’s supported her children, Hannah decided to start fundraising for Winston’s Wish. Last year she ran the Bristol Half Marathon and raised £924.
“I decided to raise money for them as I think it is a really valuable resource,” she says. “I really didn’t know how to help my children after Steve died and Winston’s Wish gave me advice and guidance when I didn’t know where to turn.”
Running for WAY
This year, Hannah has set herself another challenge – running the Bath Half Marathon to raise funds for WAY. To make the day even more poignant, the race falls on Mother’s Day (Sunday, 15 March).
“In the past we always spent Mother’s Day with Steve’s mum, and saw my mum and grandma too,” says Hannah. “Last year I did the same because I wanted to keep some normality. But there were definitely some tears. It certainly didn’t feel the same without Steve.”
Running the half marathon this year offers something different – a focus and a sense of purpose on what could otherwise be a difficult day.
“I’m quite glad to be running the half marathon on Mother’s Day as it’s given me something to focus on, rather than feeling upset,” she says.
It will also be a special moment for Hannah personally. Having grown up in Bath, she spent many years watching her dad run the Bath Half Marathon from the sidelines.
“I live in Bristol, but grew up in Bath,” she says. “I spent my childhood watching my dad do the Bath Half almost every year, so it feels great to be doing it myself with my dad watching on instead.”
There will be plenty of family support along the route. Hannah’s children will be staying with Steve’s mum that day, who lives close to part of the race route, meaning they will be able to come out and cheer her on.
“They will all come down to see me come past, which is lovely. It will definitely spur me on, knowing I can see their faces as I run past.”
And while Steve will be sadly missed on Mother’s Day (and every day), Hannah knows exactly what he would think.
“Steve would be incredibly proud of me running the half marathon,” she says. “He knew I had always wanted to do it and he was really proud of me when I took up running. So he’d think the fact I’ve finally managed to run a half marathon is great. He’s definitely cheering me on.”
For other widowed parents facing the same difficult path, Hannah offers some advice drawn from her own experience.
“Stop when you can, listen to your body, feel what you need to feel, take the help that is offered, don’t hold back the tears, find something good in each day – even if it’s just something tiny.
“Hold those kids close and remind them how much they are loved. As sad as I am that mine and Steve’s journey has been cut short, I always remain grateful that I got to have him for 12 wonderful years. And never forget: You can grieve and also keep living.”
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