Great South Run: Meet 10-mile veteran Samantha - who runs in memory of her 'amazing' grandad

Everyone who takes part in the Great South Run does so for a special reason.

Whether it’s for charity, to set a personal best time, or simply proving to yourself and others that you can do it - we’ve all got our purpose when we set off from that start line.

Samantha Larcombe, 45, will take part in this year's AJ Bell Great South Run in aid of Alzheimer's Society, remembering her beloved grandad Richard 'Dick' Hambidge.

Samantha, from Portsmouth, grew up close to Dick, a sign writer and talented storyteller who was well known in his community in Westgate, Kent. She remembers spending time watching him paint signs in his conservatory and listening to his stories. He also painted logos on aircraft and wrote numerous books and stories, which were later donated to Westgate Library.

But as his Alzheimer's disease progressed, Samantha saw the grandfather she knew change. Towards the end of his life, he could no longer speak or recognise those closest to him. He died in 2011.

Samantha said: "My grandad Dick was such a big part of my childhood. He was a real pillar of the community and an amazing storyteller.

"Seeing Alzheimer's gradually take that person away was heartbreaking. As his condition progressed, grandad became non-verbal and didn't recognise people. I remember visiting him in his care home just a couple of months before he died and seeing someone I loved so much become a shadow of the person I remembered."

Samantha had wanted to do something for Alzheimer's Society in her grandad's memory for years, and running became a natural way to support the charity.

Running has also become an important part of her life and helps her look after her mental health. She joined a running club in 2008 and completed her first Great South Run 10-mile race in 2015.

This year's event will be her sixth Great South Run overall and her fourth time tackling the 10-mile distance.

She said: "Running gives me time to put my headphones on, clear my head and just run at my own pace. It also gives me the chance to raise awareness for meaningful charities close to my heart.

"I've always wanted to do something for Alzheimer's Society in grandad's memory. Having seen the devastating impact Alzheimer's can have, I want to raise awareness and vital funds to help support people affected by dementia."

Samantha has been training every week since last year, including over Christmas and through bad weather. Despite injuring her knees in a recent fall while running, she remains determined to reach the start line.

She said taking part in the Portsmouth event was particularly meaningful because the city is her home.

"I absolutely love the Great South Run and Portsmouth is my home, so taking on those 10 miles for a cause so close to my heart feels really special," she said.

For Samantha, crossing the finish line will be about more than completing the course. She plans to draw on memories of her grandad to keep going when the race gets difficult.

She added: "When it gets tough, I'll be thinking about grandad, the stories he used to tell us and all those happy memories from when I was growing up.

"I'll be incredibly proud to cross the finish line in his memory and raise money for Alzheimer's Society so they can continue to be there for people affected by dementia."