Southport Dads Finish London Marathon Side by Side

A Tribute to Their Daughters

In a touching display of resilience, Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe completed the London Marathon together, honoring their late daughters. The pair, who have found solace in running, joined the event as a united front, following last year’s participation. Their daughters, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were among the three victims in the Southport attack, which occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in July 2024. The 26.2-mile race was finished in a time of four hours and 36 minutes.

Awards and Legacy

Before the race, the fathers were awarded the Spirit of London Marathon honors, which include a lifetime entry to the event. Sergio expressed surprise at receiving the recognition, stating,

“I couldn’t believe they had given us this accolade.”

He added that his run was driven by a desire to “spread her magic” in memory of Alice. David, meanwhile, shared his pride in the award, noting,

“Last year we ran it as two dads and this time around we’re running it as two friends.”

He highlighted the bond formed between the two families, explaining,

“We wanted to run it together because of how close we’ve got.”

Charitable Impact

Since last year’s marathon, Sergio has participated in six major global races within a 12-month period, supporting Alice’s WonderDance, a foundation established in his daughter’s name. David, too, has raised funds for Elsie’s Story, a charity providing medical care and bereavement support to children and families. The event also inspired local action, as Alice and Elsie’s schools organized a mini-marathon in London on Saturday.

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