Everyone has their reason to run, but Rachael Horrocks began her journey 10 years ago, after the loss of the beautiful Reuben Michael Graham.

As an adult, Rachael seldom exercised, her life was busy with children and work. She had been encouraged to start the ‘Stride Out’ course at Hyde Striders but had always brushed off these ideas.

However, when tragedy struck and 23-month-old Reuben passed away, Rachael suddenly had the motivation she needed.

“Everyone leaped into action and started doing bake sales, I knew I couldn’t bake or cook so I decided I would run a 5k race to raise money.

“I would not be running at all if it wasn’t for Reuben. I started the Stride Out course and planned to just do 5ks.

“10 years later, and I’ve ran four marathons and countless other races,” she said.

Her 5k aim didn’t last long, and before she knew it, Rachael had signed up to complete the Manchester 10k. A group of around 100 runners headed to the city to take on this race, all with one motivation in mind, run for Reuben.

“He was 23 months old when he died, and for someone who was on earth for such a small amount of time, he’s made such a massive difference on mine, and so many other people’s lives.

“I would never have had the motivation to get up and run if it wasn’t for Reuben, running had had such a positive impact on my life and he has given me that,” she said.

Rachael’s close friend Sarah was blessed to be Reuben’s childminder. This connection has undoubtedly changed Rachael’s life, taking a tragedy and using it to help others through positive action.

Rachael never believed she could be a runner. She eagerly stood on the side-lines as Sarah ran the London Marathon 13 years ago and never imagined herself taking on that journey.

Rachael and her daughter completing the heroic Market Street sprint.

A huge motivation for Rachael is, ‘seeing normal people achieving things that you believe are abnormal’. With that, she embarked on her fitness journey, aged 38, and has been taken on a whirlwind adventure.

Rachael has completed the huge London race twice, fundraising both times for Reuben’s Retreat. She began running just one month after his passing and took on the 26.2-mile distance in 2015.

Despite accomplishing this momentous race, Rachael says her favourite race will always remain the Tour of Tameside.

“I’m such a Tour of Tameside junkie. I’m not the fastest and I’ll never win my age category, but that event just brings the running community together.

“It doesn’t matter what speed you run at, everybody is there for everybody else, and it is such an inclusive festival of running,” Rachael said.

Having completed four Tour’s, she believes the event presents Tameside in the best way. The Tour is always the first plan added to Rachael’s race calendar, in fact she even tries to talk all her friends into doing it.

“The sense of achievement you have running down Market Street on the Sunday is second to none, I love it.

“I’ve never known camaraderie like it. Even though it’s so many miles, it’s achievable because it’s broken down over the four days.

“You tend to run with the same people every day, people you may not have known on the Thursday, but by the Sunday you’ve gone through so many miles with them that you feel like friends.”

2023 is set to be a sentimental year for Reuben’s Retreat. It’s often said that strength is in numbers, well the number 23 certainly provides strength for Reuben’s family and friends.

“I’ve entered the Manchester Marathon for 2023, I knew I needed to put a marathon in for that year as 23 is a very special number for us.

“Reuben was 23 months old when he died. We bought our ‘forever home’ at the retreat on April 23, the number appears a lot.

“Me and Nicola, Reuben’s mummy, often talk about it a lot. I get so many numbers either add up to 23 or have 23 in them.

“I feel it is Reuben thanking me for all the fundraising,” she said.

The Manchester Marathon is set to take place in April, meaning Rachael will have to commit to training through the cold, winter weather. Luckily, this is something she relishes in.

“I love marathon training. Spring marathon training is great, you start off the new year in such a positive way and it gets you through the miserable months.

“I’m looking forward to Manchester, it’s great being able to race in your local city, everyone can come to support, and it will be amazing.”

Rachael believes running is huge for her mental wellbeing. It’s a sport that doesn’t care about your size, shape or speed, anyone can run, and everyone is welcome.

Giving back to the club that allowed her to believe she could run, Rachael is now leading groups at Hyde Striders, proving to them that they too can strive for great things.

“You never regret running, you only regret the ones you miss.

“It’s had a massive impact on my life, I would encourage anyone to give running a go, it can’t possibly be a bad idea,” she said.

Working full-time at Reuben’s Retreat, Rachael embodies the team of dedicated individuals who go above and beyond to ensure his name lives on.

The charity was set up just two days after Reuben’s passing, when his mum knew his organs couldn’t be donated due to his cancerous brain tumour.

If you want to know more information about Reuben’s Retreat please their website here or search Reuben’s Retreat on social media.

Do you know an inspirational sporting woman in Tameside or Glossop?

Women in Sport is a weekly column which shares the incredible stories of ladies involved in sport across the area. We are always on the lookout for fresh stories to tell. To nominate someone for the column or get involved yourself, please email Katie on katie.catherall@questmedianetwork.co.uk. 

You can read last week's column here.

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