Written by Debra Booker & Graham French
On 31st March 2025, we received the devastating news that one of our young athletes, 16-year-old Dilan Khurana, had passed away.
Dilan suffered a sudden and catastrophic brain hemorrhage. He had no symptoms, and there was no way his family could have known about his condition: a very rare form of Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).
Dilan joined ESM in 2017 as an under-11 athlete, and by 2022, his passion for middle and long distances became evident, leading him to move to the junior endurance training group. Dilan loved ESM; it was a massive part of his life, and he was hugely loyal to his club and the close friends he made there.
He was a regular cross-country runner in the winter and an 800m/1500m runner in the summer. He was also always prepared to step out of his comfort zone to “compete for points” at our junior league matches. Fond memories from many occasions include him sprinting down the long jump runway and hurling himself into the sandpit!
Dilan was also incredibly kind and generous, often putting himself out to help others. In 2023, he paced one of his friends to a PB in his 250th and final junior parkrun, and more recently, he took time to help one of our newer athletes with pacing and strategy for an upcoming race.
Away from athletics, Dilan was academically gifted, quick-witted, deep-thinking, independent, and a keen conservationist who cared deeply for our planet.
His family and friends have lost an amazing human being, and Dilan’s bright and fulfilling future has been cruelly torn away. Our love and prayers go to his parents, Seema and Vineesh, and his brother Rishi at such a difficult time.
His family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Butterfly AVM charity, which is dedicated to supporting vital research, spreading awareness, and helping families affected by AVMs.
https://justgiving.com/page/dilankhurana
Dilan’s funeral will take place on Friday, 11th April, at 10 am
Mortlake Crematorium
Meadows Path
Townmead Road
London TW9 4EN.
Dilan, you will be in our hearts forever.