Watching your children carve out a name for themselves in the world of athletics is considered one of the proudest moments as parents. However, sometimes, the mental pressure of taking on the world can take its toll in the most heart-wrenching ways possible. For Robbie Fitzgibbon, it was a similar kind of twisted fate that halted his life unexpectedly. But his father, Robin Fitzgibbon, wants to ensure his son’s story doesn’t go untold, and the upcoming Brighton Marathon provides him with the perfect opportunity.

In October 2024, 28-year-old British middle-distance runner Robbie passed away, rocking the track and field community. Fitzgibbon represented his country in multiple international events, including the European Indoor Championships, and was described by his club, Brighton Phoenix, as one of its “most cherished athletes.” The athlete was preparing to run the 2025 Brighton Marathon to spread awareness of mental health, and now, his father has taken it upon himself to fulfil his late son’s dream.

The Brighton Marathon helps a grieving man to find closure

An article by BBC from April 3 shared that Robin Fitzgibbon will run the weekend event in Brighton in place of his deceased son. Robbie was planning to participate in the marathon to raise funds for Mind, a mental health charity organization. Diagnosed with psychosis in 2022, Fitzgibbon noted his recovery as a “really difficult challenge” in the fundraising page of the Brighton Marathon. Seeing him suffer had been an eye-opening experience for his family, and his father is now resolute about stepping up to continue Robbie’s legacy.

Replacing his son gave him “focus and purpose,” Robin was quoted saying in the recent BBC article. The athlete’s father also noted how running has been a cathartic outlet for him. “Robbie worked very hard to recover, but ultimately couldn’t find the form he needed afterwards to perform at the highest level. This caused him to have some serious mental health issues, relating to the stress he put himself under,” Robin said, how the upcoming marathon got under the skin of Robbie.

During his recovery from psychosis, Robbie also tried his best to help those who shared his condition. That’s why using his son’s platform for the marathon event meant so much to Robin. “He would be so proud to know his fundraising for Mind has raised so much money and awareness,” he said, having already managed to raise £25,000 for Mind. And yet, the cross-country runner’s memory continues to linger in the minds of everyone who knew him.

“It’s been difficult for everyone who had known Robbie. Mental illness is just a dreadful thing for young people to deal with,” said Robbie’s former coach from Brighton Phoenix, Jon Bigg. Like his family, the athlete’s club was also left devastated by his demise. “A friend to many, and a source of motivation for all who had the privilege of knowing him, Robbie was the epitome of a runner’s runner, embodying everything we value at Phoenix. His contribution to Phoenix is enduring, living on through the countless memories we have shared,” the club said in an official statement last year. But Bigg and the club can take solace in the fact that their member’s father has taken up the baton to represent the clan at the upcoming marathon.

While Robin’s determination to pay homage to his son is commendable, others have had to shoulder a very opposite kind of responsibility.

Marathon events continue to be a shoulder to lean on

In comparison to the Brighton Marathon, the Chicago Marathon could be considered a much more illustrious affair. One of the most notable and elite marathon events in the world, the almost 50-year-old race ushers thousands of participants from around the globe every year. But for Brandan O’Brien, it was more than just crossing the finish line first at last year’s edition.

The 26-year-old participated in the 2024 Chicago Marathon, along with 50,000 others, to spread awareness about how mental health can have fatal effects on people. O’Brien lost his father to suicide in 2020, who was depressed after being barred from his lacrosse coaching duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a YouTube video, Brandan admitted that he was running the marathon “to remember his father’s legacy and to promote suicide prevention” and found support from the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention as well.

Stories like these continue to give us hope that love and the bond between parents and their children can transcend even death. But will Robin Fitzgibbon be able to take the opportunity to share the story of his kid with the world and honor Robbie’s memory? Tell us your thoughts in a comment!