A Lasting Legacy: Remembering Dilan

By Graham French

It is now nearly one & a half years since Dilan Khurana was tragically taken from us at the age of 16. Dilan was a keen member of ESM’s middle & long distance squad, & a talented runner. 

Away from the track & cross country course he was a passionate environmentalist, academically gifted, deep thinking, quick witted, funny and generous. He was also a keen parkrunner & loved being outdoors at his regular local parkrun at Gunnersbury.

Last year, members of ESM, together with Dilan’s family & friends, ran the Gunnersbury Parkrun in his memory. Dilan’s parents decided we should make this an annual event, to take place on the first Saturday of September, just after Dilan’s birthday which fell at the end of August.

Approximately 25 ESM young athletes, & 20 ESM parents, family members & other ESM runners were joined by Dilan’s family & many of his friends, to run, jog or walk the course, while reflecting on Dilan & his legacy. This led to a record breaking 989 runners, Gunnersury’s previous highest turnout being 910 participants.

Before the run the race director, Javad, made a moving tribute to Dilan. More than 1,000 people listened in silence, followed by a prolonged, heartfelt and, for many, emotional round of applause.

The runners then set off in the broad sunlight, carrying their own thoughts & memories of Dilan.

Dilan’s parents, Seema and Vinni, have also decided that each year they will seek to raise funds for a charity, either one close to Dilan’s heart or one which has been valuable to them as a family, as they deal with the trauma of suddenly losing a child. This year, they have chosen the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. They have so far raised £3,956. For anyone wishing to donate, the donation link is here Seema Khurana is fundraising for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

The collaboration between Parkrun, Dilan’s family & ESM is set to continue as an annual event.