Ramathon: The death of his best friend prompted the man from Derby to start running

A Derby man who took up running after the unexpected death of his best friend will take part in a road race in his memory.

Sean Barratt, from Chellaston, started lacing up his trainers six years ago after the death of childhood friend and keen runner David Stokes, who had always told him he wouldn’t even run to catch the bus.

Mr Stokes was an RAC employee who was responding to a call when he was struck and killed by a driver using his phone.

Mr Barratt, 39, says the two were “like brothers” and on Sunday he will take part in the Ramathon in his memory along with thousands of other runners.

Mr Barratt said: “David was killed doing the work he loved: helping others.

“He was helping a broken down vehicle on the side of the road and unfortunately he was hit and killed by someone who was betting on a horse race on his phone.

“It hit me harder than I ever thought something like this could hit someone under these circumstances.

“I knew David since kindergarten. We were born a few hours apart and people always said that where David was, Sean was too. We were practically inseparable.

“David was a real runner. He ran for his local running club and eventually for his county.

“He often said that I wouldn’t even run after the bus, and he was right.

“After his death, I had a lot of trouble dealing with my emotions and had to find a way to channel them.

“I thought it would be appropriate to start running and almost prove him wrong a little bit.

“I like to think that when I run, I run with him.”

Mr Barratt underwent thigh surgery earlier this year, which affected his training for the Ramathon and restricted him to 5k.

But he said: “I have no strategy, I just have to get through it!”

“Of course it helps your figure, but when you go out you ask yourself: ‘Why am I doing this?’

“If you think about what it’s for, hopefully it will help you through.”

The Ramathon includes a half marathon and an 8 km race.