We are thrilled this year that we have two runners – Baz and Stephen - taking part in the London Marathon to raise money for The Not Forgotten. Both have a beautiful connection to our beneficiaries and our cause, and both are hard at work training, building up the miles and their stamina as they reach the ‘2 months to go’ point…
We caught up (not literally - we are not that pacy!) with both runners to ask them about their connection to The Not Forgotten, their running journey and goals for the big day.
First up, Richard Bazley (“you can call me ‘Baz’”) – a freelance Ceremonies Producer and Volunteer Manager for international sporting events, who lives in Switzerland.
Baz has run the London Marathon once before, almost ten years ago in 2016. Though whether this is an advantage or not, he isn’t sure! “I feel like I’m competing against a much younger version of myself…!” A keen runner as a youngster, Baz competed in 800m, 1500m and cross country at school, and coached children at summer camps in the USA for two summers before studying sport at university. As ‘grown up’ life and work has taken over however, he has found less and less time to dedicate to running. Which is part of his reason for taking part in the London Marathon, motivating himself to do the training, put in the time and rekindle his passion. He has applied for a place in the Marathon in the public ballot every year and finally got lucky again this time.
But why run for The Not Forgotten? Baz isn’t a veteran himself, though he has always had a great respect for the military after hearing his grandparents’ stories of RAF service (Baz’s 2016 Marathon was for the RAF Benevolent Fund) and National Service, as well as his great-grandfather surviving the Dunkirk evacuation.
It’s Baz’s fascinating job, however, which has really built his bonds with serving military and veterans and brought him into contact with The Not Forgotten family.
Since 2012 Baz has worked in what sounds like one of the most interesting jobs in sport… “Back in London 2012 I volunteered to be a 'Games Maker'. I was lucky enough to be given a role in the medal ceremonies team as 'Gold Medal Tray Bearer'. This role included the honour of presenting the last medal of the Olympic Games, during the Closing Ceremony. A huge honour for me and my family at the time, and very much the inspiration and catalyst for my career.”
Baz worked his way up the ranks in 'Sport Presentation' and the world of Global Sports Events, starting as a floor manager, working up to Head of Ceremonies and now finding himself an Olympic Producer. He has worked for UEFA’s Governing Body in Switzerland, the FIFA World Cup, the Special Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Invictus Games and most recently the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Much of this work involves training and coordinating the military personnel tasked with raising flags and presenting medals at sporting ceremonies. “I have had a close relationship with the military through my career. Most recently in Paris, I trained cadets and serving military on flag raising protocols for the victory ceremonies. Over the years I have trained and worked with hundreds of young military personnel and have stayed in touch with many of them. They are so professional, keen and enthusiastic; I’ve gained a huge respect for our Forces and built real camaraderie delivering a job together. Much of what we present involves VIPs and is on live TV so there is nowhere to hide! With no room for mistakes the pressure is huge – it really builds a close trust, respect and connection with the team you are working with.”
While Baz was working on the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, he met one of The Not Forgotten’s beneficiaries, Army veteran Suzanne Cumberland who was a Protocol Officer on his team. “We got on so well together. I have fond memories of greeting HRH Prince Edward who presented a medal and many other high-profile guests.”
“It was Suzanne who introduced me to The Not Forgotten and all the fantastic work you do. When I got my place in the London Marathon and was considering which charity to fundraise for I suddenly realised who I wanted to support - this is my way of giving back to all the military personnel who I have worked alongside over my career.”
We turn to discuss Baz’s marathon performance itself. Baz says time-wise, he'd like to finish the race somewhere between 4-5 hours, but actually he says, time isn’t his main goal. Ten years ago he was hyper-focused on the race and his time, and feels he maybe missed out on some of the fun along the way.
“I really want to soak up the atmosphere this time around, soak it all up – all the music and amazing crowds – try to enjoy the experience!”
He's been training in earnest for several months now, and since Christmas is being careful with his diet and cut out alcohol altogether. “It’s a mental as much as a physical challenge” he points out; “It’s also a very solitary sport. You have to just plug yourself in and focus. It’s such a big undertaking, there’s no getting out of it – you have to keep yourself accountable and not take it lightly. But it’s a transformational experience too, one which can be the start of a real change in your life.”
And Baz’s advice for anyone considering taking on a marathon, half marathon or other sports challenge?
“My first piece of advice is simply to give it a go! What have you got to lose? The training for the event itself will hold you accountable and is definitely a mental and physical challenge for those looking for extra motivation! If you train seriously and run for a good cause, you will smash it.”
The London Marathon in particular, Baz thinks, is “such a diverse and inclusive marathon, open to everyone whatever their shape, size, age and experience level. It also has an incredible history and story behind it. And the crowds and atmosphere are amazing – somewhere around mile 20 most runners hit a wall, but the crowd will get you over that finish line!”
We can’t wait to be there on April 27th to cheer Baz and Stephen over the finish line (more on Stephen’s story to follow in another blog).
Please do sponsor Baz by visiting his fundraising page:
