Going the Extra Mile: From RGS Worcester to Boston

We are pleased to share the story of Steve Bradley, one of our minibus drivers, whose commitment to supporting others extends well beyond his day-to-day role at School.

Steve, a retired member of the emergency services, has strong links to RGS Worcester. His son and daughter, Lewis and Tabby, were both pupils until 2015 and 2018 respectively. He has remained part of the School community through his role as a minibus driver, supporting pupils and staff across the School. In 2022, Steve was also one of three members of RGS Worcester Support Staff who volunteered to make a 1,750-mile journey to the Ukraine border as part of the School’s Ukraine Appeal. Alongside colleagues Keith Breese and Paul Green, Steve helped ensure that funds raised by the RGS community were used directly to purchase essential supplies for displaced families and disabled children fleeing the conflict.

Since 2018, Steve has also dedicated his time to guiding Dave, a visually impaired runner from Worcester and the uncle of Oscar, a current RGS Worcester pupil. Dave’s running journey began that same year, when he was only able to run short distances of around 100 metres. Determined to improve his fitness, Dave initially searched for a partner for his tandem bike, before Steve introduced him to guided running via the ‘find a guide’ database. What began as a simple offer of assistance has since developed into a long-standing partnership.

Steve’s background in the emergency services has proved invaluable while guiding, with skills such as clear communication, awareness and hazard recognition playing an important role in supporting Dave safely across a wide range of running environments. Dave now trains with a structured weekly programme supported by three guides. Steve focuses on short, sharp sessions, while fellow guides Becs and Mat support intermediate and longer-distance runs. Training often includes parkruns on Saturdays, long runs of up to 15 miles on Sundays, speed work/ track sessions and carefully balanced rest and additional training days in between.

The idea to take on the Boston Marathon was sparked by chance in September last year. While visiting his daughter in New York, Steve discovered that Dave was also in the city for work. Dave, an IT Consultant who travels internationally to present about accessible technology for visually impaired users, met up with Steve and the pair completed the Brooklyn Bridge Park parkrun together. It was there that the ambitious goal of completing the Boston Marathon was set, and ‘Project Boston’ was born.

Since 2018, Dave has completed 12 marathons worldwide, including events in Japan and Australia, while Steve has completed six marathons. Steve has been running for over 12 years, having joined the Black Pear Joggers and he continues to train regularly alongside his guiding commitments in 61 parkruns from his total of 415 runs.

First held in 1897, the Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world, with this year’s race marking its 130th edition and taking place on Monday 20 April. While the Boston Athletic Association does not formally register guide runners until 45 days before the event, Dave’s place is confirmed and Steve is confident that the remaining arrangements will be completed smoothly once registration opens.

We look forward to following Steve and Dave’s progress in the lead-up to April and wish them every success as they continue to prepare for this remarkable challenge.