Half marathon run in cricket kit in dad's memory

Isla Bayliss said she really struggled in the final few miles

A woman has taken part in the Great Manchester Run half marathon in cricket kit in memory of her father and his love of the sport.

Isla Bayliss has so far raised more than £2,600 for St Michael's Hospice in Hereford, after it supported her father, Bromyard Cricket Club stalwart Jeff Bayliss.

He died last year, just months after being diagnosed with cancer and his daughter said she would run with a bat wearing whites, pads, gloves and a helmet if she raised £2,000.

Speaking after the run on Sunday, she said: "I just kept thinking about my dad the whole way really. I know he'd think I was nuts doing this."

Ms Bayliss joked that she had to "wear all this cricket gear so I could give [Olympic 800m champion] Keely Hodgkinson a chance".

She told the BBC she was "alright for the first few miles, the crowd really pushed me through", but the weight and awkwardness of the kit took its toll.

Jeff Bayliss passed away at St Michael's Hospice last year

"All the people running around me were just saying 'wow, I don't know how you're doing this'," she said.

"At about 10 miles I rang my mum because I was really struggling, so she came and met me and practically dragged me through the last few miles.

"I crossed the line and thought 'thank god that's over'."

Posting on fundraising site JustGiving, Ms Bayliss said the hospice "looked after us so well" and "even let Dad's best friend, Dusty the dog, come in and cheer him up".

The student celebrated at the finish with a bottle of her father's favourite lager

She also wrote that in her father's last few weeks, "we spent a wonderful time in the hospice, taking walks around the beautiful gardens and spending some quality time with him".

"Now I'd like to give a small bit back to the hospice, so they can continue to make times like ours, that little bit less hard," she said.

"Dad was a cherished friend, coach, and strong pillar of guidance in so many people's lives, and I am thankful to be able to do this in his honour."