Marathon run in cricket kit honours wife's legacy

A man will run the London Marathon wearing full cricket gear and carrying a bat, in memory of his wife who died of bowel cancer.

Richard Williman, from Pocklington, East Yorkshire, said he wanted to raise money for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which provides emotional support for families to prepare for the death of a parent.

The charity was set up by Sir Andrew Strauss, the former England cricket captain, in memory of his wife, who died in 2018 from lung cancer that affects non-smokers.

Williman said his wife, Erika, had demonstrated "incredible bravery" following her diagnosis by insisting on going straight home and telling their two children.

"Erika was an amazing wife and mum," he added.

Williman, aka the Running Cricketer, is one of a number of people from the region who have spoken to the BBC about their reasons for running the marathon on Sunday.

"This is my third year of challenges running in full cricket gear to raise awareness of the fantastic work the foundation do in supporting children and families who are very sadly going to lose a parent though a cancer diagnosis or terminal illness," he said.

Erika, who was diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer in November 2020 and died in July 2022, had insisted on being open with the children, he added.

"We are now a living example of just how important that has been.

"Both of our children are in as good a place as they can be as they navigate their own way through losing their mum.

"That is without a shadow of doubt down to the bravery she showed.

"We always felt that was a gift she gave us, and we want to give that to as many other families as we can."

Williman also plans to run half-marathons in Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Leeds later this year, as well as the Sydney Marathon in Australia,

He described running in cricket gear as a "bit awkward", with the hardest part being raising the bat to acknowledge cheers from spectators.

Jess Corps, 21, who is originally from Fife but works as an RAF medic in Cranwell, Lincolnshire, is taking part in the marathon to support the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Corps, who found out she had acute myeloid leukaemia at the age of 19, said the diagnosis came as a complete shock.

Following her treatment and a return to work in the summer of 2024, she said she wanted to give herself a challenge to raise awareness about the "signs and symptoms" with her peers, and inspire other young people facing similar situations.

"You never think it will happen to you, or your friends," she said.

"It will be big day – a celebration of how far I've come personally – I've never run a marathon before."

Rob Belt, 33, a primary school teacher from Lincoln, is also taking part in the marathon in support of Headway – the brain injury association.

Belt, who had a stroke when he was 24, said the stroke, which was linked to him having open heart surgery as a child, had affected his coordination.

"It's probably taken me until this time to really understand how my body has been affected, and how I can work through things," he added.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East YorkshireorLincolnshireon BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices