A Watford fan has run two marathons in seven days in memory of his late son.
Ethan King sadly passed away from cancer on March 13, 2025, just 20 days before his 16th birthday. Ethan was first diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2018, aged nine.
Treatment helped him enter remission for two years, but the cancer returned not long after COVID restrictions were lifted. Following his relapse, he faced three years of surgeries and treatments before he passed away.
His family shared: “He took on the challenge, never complaining, always remaining positive and enjoying and living life to its fullest before he left us.”
In April, Ethan’s dad Jim ran both the London Marathon and the Boston Marathon in memory of his son and has raised over £47,000 so far for the Bone Cancer Research Trust. The two marathons were within seven days of one another.
On the fundraising page, he said: “Ethan loved running before cancer stopped him and was a regular parkrunner (running over 70 park runs, mostly at the tough Gadebridge cross country course). Even in remission, he ran a couple of times a week with me when he was well enough but eventually the cancer took away his joy of running.
“I want to raise as much as I can so that we can fund more research and find improved treatments so that anyone who has to fight this horrendous disease has a better chance of a positive outcome unlike Ethan and others before him.”
The Watford community have flooded to support the King family.
A half-time tribute to Ethan was held during Watford FC’s 1-0 win against Hull City on Tuesday, April 8, which included a minute’s applause in the 15th minute of the match.
Luther Blissett OBE, a former England and Watford FC footballer, shared his support for the family on Facebook.
He said: “This brave and wonderful young lad loved Watford FC with a passion and I would see him and his dad, Jim, and grandad at all the home games. He also became good friends with my partner Lauren, as they would sit and talk about his love of pugs.
“We were both heartbroken to learn that Ethan had very recently lost his battle with cancer.”
To donate to the fundraiser, head to www.shorturl.at/nkgey
Photo credit: Luther Blissett / Jim King
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