The mother of murdered teenager Alice Gross is to run in this year’s Ealing Half Marathon, she announced on Monday (August 10).
Ros Hodgkiss, from Hanwell, she will take on the 13-mile run on to raise money for Alice’s Youth Music Memorial Fund - set up in memory of her daughter, who was a talented singer and musician.
August 28 will mark one year since Alice, a 14-year-old pupil at Brentside High School, disappeared while walking along the Grand Union Canal and sparked one of the biggest police investigations in recent years.
Many runners in last year’s Ealing Half Marathon took part in the search and wore yellow ribbons during the run as a show of solidarity with Alice’s sister Nina, mum and father Jose Gross.
Ros, who completed the Osterley Park 10K race in June, said: “So much has happened since last year’s race, I really don’t know how I’ll feel on the day. I want to run and pay tribute to all those who supported us last year, at a very difficult time.
“I’m hoping other runners might join me in memory of Alice and to help me to raise funds for Alice’s Youth Music Memorial Fund in support of the wonderful charity Youth Music.”
Alice’s Youth Music Memorial Fund supports the work of the Youth Music national charity and offers music-making opportunities for disadvantaged children. Alice’s fund has raised £33,999 so far.
Ealing Half Marathon event director, Kelvin Walker, said: “It’s an honour to have Ros taking part in the race this year. I imagine it will be a very poignant day for her but given our involvement in the search for Alice last year, we’re very happy for Alice’s Youth Music Memorial Fund to be one of our associated charitable beneficiaries.
“We wish Ros all the best for the race and look forward to seeing her on the finishing line.”
The half marathon is now in its fourth year and was been voted the UK’s best half marathon in 2014 and again earlier this year.
It starts and ends at Lammas Park, in Ealing, on Sunday September 27. There is still time to register.
