Group to run 10km in memory of fundraising cyclist

Keeley Holubjowsky  John Holubjowsky Keeley Holubjowsky
John Holubjowsky had been training for the charity cycle ride for months before his death in 2022

Family and friends of a cyclist who died while attempting to complete a charity ride are once again set to take on a run in his memory.

John Holubjowsky, from Leicestershire, was just 28 miles (45km) from the finish of a Land's End to John O'Groats cycle ride when he suffered a fatal heart attack on 18 June 2022.

His widow Keeley said a 25-strong group would take on the 10km (6.2 miles) Wolf Run, in Warwickshire, on Saturday for a second year "to keep his memory alive".

They have so far raised more than £2,100 for his dedicated charity, Loros Hospice, from this year's obstacle-based challenge.

Keeley Holubjowsky  A picture of Mr Holubjowsky's family and friends as they took on the 10km challenge on SaturdayKeeley Holubjowsky
Mr Holubjowsky's family and friends took on the 10km (6.2-mile) challenge on Saturday

Mr Holubjowsky was attempting to ride the length of Britain, for which he had been training for six months with an organised group, when he collapsed and died.

The 58-year-old, of Stoney Stanton, who had previously run marathons and half-marathons, had been fundraising for Loros, which cared for his mother and a close friend.

He raised almost £7,000 for the hospice in Glenfield, which he had supported for 15 years.

Ms Holubjowsky described her husband as a "selfless and generous person".

'Emotional' challenge

She said: "I feel proud that we can continue to grow John's legacy and fundraise for a wonderful local charity, which keeps his memory alive.

"He was good at bringing people together and he's still making it happen even though he's not here."

The 53-year-old said completing the endurance run last year was not only a "physical and mental challenge, but emotional too".

"The whole time I just think of John, what he went through and it's a reminder of what a wonderful person he was," she said.

Keeley Holubjowsky Keeley Holubjowsky with family and friends, who took part in the 10km run in 2023Keeley Holubjowsky
The group raised more than £3,600 for Loros by completing the run last year

Family friend Sue Williams, 50, described Mr Holubjowsky as a "fun, kind and positive man".

"It's very inspiring to see how much of an impact he made and how much he meant to everyone," she said.

"Hopefully, this is an annual event for us and more people will join each year."

Emma Jones, from Loros, said: "John was such a dedicated and committed supporter of our hospice, and the fact that his family have taken on that mantle into a second year is incredible."

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