Race Ambassador, Rachel Grunwell, to run in memory of Brady
05 May 2021
As race ambassador for the Rotorua Marathon few people know the unique and magical appeal of New Zealand’s most iconic marathon than Rachel Grunwell.
Yet on Saturday, Rachel will take to the streets of Rotorua fuelled by a very different set of emotions as she tackles the 10km event in memory of Brady, teenage daughter to one her best friends Christina Fordyce, who tragically lost her battle with cancer in March.
Diagnosed with cancer just before New Year’s Eve, Brady, a student at Mt Roskill Grammar School, passed away in mid-March at the age of 16.
“I’ve known Brady since the day she was born,” explains Rachel. “She was beautiful, kind, and had the biggest smile. There is a pain that comes from losing someone to cancer that cuts so deep its indescribable. My heart shattered into a million pieces over her death - and also the heartbreak watching Christina lose her daughter who brought so much sunshine into her life.”
Ronald McDonald House helped Christina stay by Brady’s side through the 11 weeks in pediatric intensive care and so Rachel along with a group of six – including Christina and her son Ben are running the race (five including Rachel the Go Media 10km one of the group the Red Stag Timber Half Marathon) with t-shirts emblazoned “Brady’s Bunch” – to fundraise.
So far the group have raised more than $5000 for Ronald McDonald House and Rachel insists she hopes the day will be a celebration of Brady’s glorious life.
From left, Arina Larionova, Rachel Grunwell, Tess Garner, Christina Fordyce
“On the day, it would be too easy to cry our way through this event,” adds Rachel who was born and raised in Rotorua.
“Brady was supposed to run this day but we want to try and smile instead and remember Brady and how much fun she would have had. This day is about celebrating a brave little girl who was so loved and is so missed. It’s also about giving back to a great place.”
On race day, Rachel will be guiding a visually impaired athlete Tamati Pearse in her capacity as an ambassador for Achilles – a charity that helps Kiwis with disabilities to participate in mainstream running events. Co-guiding alongside Jonathan Hagger – head of Rotorua Hospice, the event will take on a very special meaning for Rachel in a race she describes as her “favourite in the world.”
“This year will see my tears mix with rain if the weather forecast is correct and it’s raining that day,” adds Rachel, who has ran 25 marathons around the world including four full Rotorua Marathons.
“I’d do anything to repair the hole in my friend’s heart in losing Brady,’ she adds. “But the race day will also bring smiles. This run will see Brady’s Bunch raise our feet for a run goal. But also raise cash for Ronald McDonald House. The run will be for a powerful purpose.”
