Novice runner to tackle 10k in memory of friend's mum

Saturday 02 February 2019

A local teen with no experience of running has challenged herself to tackle a 10k fundraising race in memory of her friend's mother, who died aged just 42 from breast cancer.

Kelly Freitas has only started running recently but is determined to finish the May's 'Race for Life' in aid of Cancer Research UK as tribute to Maridel Vieira, who she says was almost like a second mum.

Kelly and Maridel's daughter, Marie, used to be very good friends and, although they drifted apart when growing up, Kelly always remembered fondly how welcome she was in Maridel's family.

"She always looked after me, she was like a second mum, she was very protective and very kind," Kelly said. "She was very funny and had an amazing positive attitude to life." 

Pictured: Maridel and her daughter, Marie.

When Kelly heard of the Race for Life, she decided to sign up, not only to give back to Maridel and her family but also to raise funds for Cancer Research and challenge herself.

"I haven't been very healthy," she confessed. "It is a big challenge for me because I am so unfit.I have never done any kind of race before. I don't think I'm ever going to do it again! I'd rather be on the couch eating chocolate."

" I'm going to turn the big 20 this year so I thought I should something with my life!," Kelly adds, chuckling, before admitting that her family laughed as well when she told them of her plans. "They have no faith in me," she joked. "My mum said there was no way I would complete that!"

Pictured: Kelly will be running with Marie on 26 May.

Marie's reaction was a little more positive. "She was really grateful and said it was a nice thing to do," Kelly said.

Marie has since decided to run the 10k as well and both girls have recently started training ahead of the race on 26 May - s process that hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped. 

"It's really painful," Kelly said, especially amid her busy schedule split between studying Health and Social Care and working part time as nursery assistant. "I was so tired after the first run. I have to push myself a lot because I go home and all I want to do is sleep. But it's good for my health so I want to keep going. 

"I am so motivated I have to keep going. As long as I am helping people I am happy. I do it for Maridel but also for anyone who is going through cancer."