I just wanted to share a few words after seeing some of you on Sunday 8 March 2026 at the Middleton Woods PECO Cross Country Relay. It was the first time I had seen members of the running community since the first Saturday in September 2025 and the welcome I received meant more to me than I can properly put into words.
For those who may not know, on 15 September 2025, I fell critically ill at home. I was placed into an induced coma and spent something like 7 or 8 days in this as well as a further couple more within Pinderfields Hospital intensive care being treated for Viral Encephalitis and pneumonia. The virus attacked and caused damage to my brain and has left me with a large number of ongoing physical and neurological challenges. Even now, many months later, I am still learning to live with the effects of these and every day brings new challenges.
I am unable to walk without support, I fall frequently, and I now use a wheelchair to help me get around. The many, many things that I once took for granted are now much harder. I went from living a good and quick lifestyle running 40-60 miles a week to nothing literally overnight. My memory has and remains badly affected, and I now struggle to remember names, places, times and faces. So if I spoke with you on Sunday and couldn’t quite place you, please forgive me. It was not intentional, but it was still absolutely wonderful to see those of you I did and spend time talking together again.
Janice suggested that as we were passing Middleton Woods on Sunday (and I knew that an event was on, and as we returned from a further visit to St James’ Hospital as I have an operation next month) that we might stop for a few minutes. This to see if I recognised anyone and it may help lift my spirits a little. I arrived on crutches with our youngest granddaughter accompanying me (I do not go anywhere without accompaniment) and slowly made my way over to the Vale of York club flag.
Within moments I was greeted with warm smiles, handshakes and hugs. So many of you stopped to talk, asked how I was, and made me feel welcome again. Those simple acts of kindness meant far more than you will ever know. They lifted my spirits in a way that is very difficult to describe. Just being with those who mean so much to me is difficult to put into words.
Sunday reminded me of something very important: running is never just about running. It is about the people. The friendships, the encouragement, the laughter, the support and the sense of belonging that comes with standing alongside others who share the same passion.
Sadly it may be that I never run again, although I have never been one to give up easily. But one day I hope that perhaps I might at least be able to walk around Selby parkrun again and simply be there with you all. I know I have a few offers to push me around in my wheelchair at a point that I am able to feel comfortable doing so which would be wonderful. I become extremely exhausted and the reality is that my energy disappears very quickly now. After our short visit on Sunday I was completely shattered and had to sleep for a couple of hours once we got home. Even the 10 minute trip back to Rothwell was enough for me to start to fall asleep. That is simply the effect this illness has had on my body and brain.
To everyone who asked after me, who stopped to say hello, spent either seconds, minutes or more (with Nicola, Steve and Ian who must have stayed with me for more than 20 minutes) who shook my hand or gave me a huge hug on Sunday – thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I know I will never be back to marathon running again but right now, the damage is to my brain and my body, but my spirit is not yet broken and with you all, it never will be.
Kind regards,
Kev
Rothwell, Leeds.
