Sarah Bartram

Miles with meaning #TeamStroke

I joined #TeamStroke for the Great North Run 2026. 

This year, I’m taking on the Great North Run. A sentence I never thought I’d say out loud, let alone put in writing given my relationship with running mostly involves avoiding it….But here we are.

I’m running in memory of Christine, the wife of my manager, Mark, who sadly passed away suddenly from a stroke last year. Christine was one of those genuinely caring, warm people who made others feel at ease without even trying. With Mark having recently retired, they were looking forward to slowing down and spending more time together, a chapter that should have been long and full, but was heartbreakingly cut short. This run is my small way of remembering Christine, honouring her kindness, and supporting a cause that helps prevent other families from going through the same shock and loss.

Alongside remembering Christine, this run has taken on a more personal meaning too. If I’m honest, it isn’t just about the miles,  it’s about the last year and a half of life doing what life does best: throwing everything into the air and seeing what lands. It’s about choosing forward motion, even when it would be easier not to, and even if that forward motion sometimes looks like wheezing up a hill while questioning every life decision that led me there. During that time I’ve lost my grandma, been through a relationship breakdown, and had my own recent health concerns following a blackout. All of which have a funny way of putting things into perspective and reminding you that moving forward is usually more of a wobble than a straight line. 

Donating isn’t just helping a charity, it’s helping turn loss into something meaningful. It helps fund research, support families, and raise awareness around strokes, which can affect anyone, at any time. And yes, it also helps ensure that when I inevitably regret signing up halfway round, I can remind myself that this run is bigger than sore legs, heavy breathing, and what can only be described as a questionable training plan.

I’ll be running with Christine in mind, with my grandma in my heart, and with a strong desire to cross the finish line upright, smiling, and ready for the next adventure. Hopefully with some banana cake in hand and a brew nearby too. 

Thank you so much for any support, donation, or encouragement it truly means more than you know. And if nothing else, you can donate purely for the entertainment value of imagining me voluntarily running 13.1 miles. That alone feels worthy of sponsorship.

For Christine always remembered and my grandma carried with me in every step 💙 

xXx