Kirsten Parsons

My Brighton Marathon 2026 – Running for Enzo & for the Stroke Association

On 23 April 2024, our worlds  changed as a family. One of my long-term friends, father to my two older girls, Elisia and Abigail, died following a heart attack and two strokes. Losing Enzo has devastated us all. He was such a constant in our lives: supportive, steady, funny and always there when we needed him. Even though we were no longer together as a couple, he never stopped being part of my life and I miss him terribly.

Enzo wasn’t just loved, he was unforgettable.

He was a slave to his work, always putting others first, always giving, always supporting. He worked incredibly hard to help everyone around him, often at the cost of never taking time for himself. But when he found himself going ‘out out’ he was the first one on the dancefloor. He had legendary dance moves! The kind that made you laugh and think, “Only he could get away with that.”

He had a zest for life, a wild energy and the most inappropriate sense of humour. The type that made you laugh even when you were trying not to. He never wanted sympathy, never wanted anyone to feel sad for him. He wanted to make people laugh, help people and create smiles and happiness wherever he went.

Family meant everything to him. He loved my younger two, Imogen and Ted, because they were Elisia and Abigail’s siblings. He embraced them without hesitation. He had this infectious personality. The kind of presence where the room shifted as soon as he walked in. He would have done absolutely anything for anyone, even if it came at a detriment to himself.  He was truly a good man. And we were so lucky to have him for as long as we did, although it will never feel long enough.

Not long after he died, Elisia and Jay decided they wanted to run a Marathon in his memory. When I asked if they would run together, Elisia laughed and said that Jay would be trying to beat a time  - “Why don’t you run it with me Mum?”

Something in that moment clicked. I wasn’t a marathon runner, I wasn’t even especially fit endurance wise, but I thought: why not?  We only get one life. One body. One chance to push ourselves while we still can.

So I started running.

And then life shifted again. Elisia moved to Ibiza, and her marathon plans changed. But by then, I’d already begun. I’d set my goals and found strength I didn’t know I had, and  I realised: 

I was running for Enzo.

Running gave me something to hold onto through  the he sadness. At 50, training for a marathon after so long without running is no small task, but it feels right. It feels like honouring him. It feels like living, because he can’t. When I’m finding training tough, I always think of him and know he would give anything to be alive - the least I can do is be out of my comfort zone and run!

Over the years, Enzo did so much for me and our girls. He was an incredible dad. A loyal friend. A permanent presence in all our lives. He leaves a hole that nothing will ever fill.

So I’m running this marathon:

for him, for our girls and for everyone affected by stroke.

Enzo’s situation was complicated, his heart condition and the stroke complications worked against each other, creating a cruel catch-22 that limited treatment options. Sadly, not everyone gets the chance they deserve. He was certainly one of those people.

But research, rehabilitation and support does save lives and that is  why I’m raising money for the Stroke Association. If what we raise helps just one person… funds one piece of research… provides one more family with hope or support… then the pain, the miles, the training, the blisters will all be worth it.

This is my promise to him:

I will keep going.

I will stay as fit and strong as I can.

I will be here for our girls for as long as life allows.

And I will cross that finish line for Enzo.

If you can, please support me, whether it’s £1 or £10 - every donation means the world.

Thank you for helping me honour him.

Thank you for supporting the Stroke Association.

And thank you for believing in me as I take on this challenge.

Kirsten xxx