When Swansea-based runner Kirsty lines up for theLlanelli Half Marathon, it will be about much more than covering 13.1 miles. She’s running with purpose as she will run in memory of her sister, Hannah — a funny, kind, and fiercely loyal young woman who loved music, football, and especially her beloved Manchester United.
In May 2024, at just 29 years old, Hannah tragically passed away following a short illness that was ultimately identified as sepsis. During her time in the Intensive Treatment Unit, one doctor explained that the energy Hannah’s body needed each day to receive treatment was the equivalent of running a marathon. For Kirsty, who had been running for six years had always dismissed the idea of a marathon, but at that moment, everything changed.
“I promised Hannah and myself immediately, that I would complete a marathon for each day she was in the ITU. “It’s a pretty big goal, but one I am determined to complete.”
Kirsty
Preparing for the challenge
Kirsty’s first marathon is planned for April 2026, but the Llanelli Half Marathon will play a key part in her journey. “I’ve lived in Swansea for 18 years, so the proximity and familiarity of Llanelli really appealed to me. The timing also makes it a good choice to help me get used to running in organised races again beforehand,” she says.
With Llanelli falling nine weeks before her marathon, the race will act as a vital training milestone.
“I’ll be using it to replace one of my long runs in my training programme. It’s a helpful point to check how my training is working and still have a few weeks to adjust anything I need to in my marathon race day plan — whether that’s pace, kit, or fuelling.”
Finding motivation
Training for such a big goal isn’t always easy, but Kirsty knows exactly what keeps her moving: Hannah.
“Honestly, just knowing it’s for Hannah helps get me moving,” she says.
Fundraising is another huge motivator. Since Hannah’s passing, family and friends have raised almost £10,000 for charities connected to her story, including Beat and The UK Sepsis Trust. Kirsty plans to continue fundraising through her marathon journey, knowing that the support of others — and the impact on these causes — will keep her going on the tough days.
She also has a practical trick for when motivation dips: saving favourite podcasts for training runs. “If I know I’m really interested in the next episode, that gets me out the door!”
More than miles
Beyond fundraising and fitness, Kirsty hopes to challenge some personal barriers along the way.
“I never did well in PE at school and spent a huge amount of my life believing that exercise wasn’t for me,” she reflects. “So honestly, every run is about demonstrating that I can do it — that being in a larger body and being a slower runner doesn’t mean I’m any less entitled to get involved and take up space.”
She’s documenting her training journey on Instagram at @just.plodding.on, hoping to inspire others — particularly plus-size runners and those experiencing grief — to discover the power of running, just like Kirsty did.
A message of hope
Kirsty’s advice for anyone else running in memory of a loved one is simple but powerful:
“I really recommend it. My first run in memory of Hannah was the Hackney Half Marathon in May and the knowledge that it was for her kept me going when it was hard. To everyone else running in memory of a loved one — we’ve got this, let’s make them proud!”
As she continues training towards her first full marathon, Kirsty’s determination and love for her sister shine through every step. At Llanelli – she won’t just be running for herself — she’ll be running for Hannah, and for everyone inspired by her story.
