IT will be a poignant and emotional moment when a bakery manager from Worcester lines up at the start of the Worcester City 10k this month.

Zak Small, 45, was due to complete the popular run on Sunday, September 20, with his friend and training partner Brian Hodgkinson.

But tragedy struck earlier this year when Mr Hodgkinson suffered a cardiac arrest while out on a five-mile training run and died on Friday, April 10.

Mr Small, who grew up in Worcester but now lives in Birmingham, will complete the 10km run in memory of his friend and raise money for the Stroke Association.

He said: “I didn’t know about it at the time but Brian had suffered a stroke aged just 38 and made a full recovery.

“He decided to run the 2015 London Marathon for the Stroke Association to raise awareness and funds, and was working on a video to share his experiences, training and inspire people to do the same.

“Brian had completed the training but sadly he went into cardiac arrest on a short five-mile training run and passed away just two weeks before the marathon.

“The Worcester City 10k was always a run that Brian and I said we would do together as we are from and have an association with Worcester, so I will be running ‘at home’ for us both.

“Brian’s widow is coming along to support the small group of us that are running for the Stroke Association in Brian’s memory and she is hoping his younger son will also be taking part in the junior run for his dad.”

Mr Small has not always been a runner but was inspired to take up the sport after meeting up with fitness fanatic family members in France.

He quickly got the 'running bug' and began sharing his experiences with fellow runner Mr Hodgkinson.

The pair originally met in 1988 in Worcester and remained friends and met up occasionally - but through their shared love of running they were able to keep in touch and track each other through GPS app Endomondo.

They became remote training partners sharing techniques and healthy competition and would take part at races together such as the Halesowen 10k, and were intending to run the Worcester City 10k this year.

Mr Small however will now participate alone - but with the memory of his friend spurring him on to raise more funds for the Stroke Association.

Mr Hodkingson, who left behind a wife and three children as well as two children from a previous marriage, raised more than £3,000 for the national charity

For more information and to donate visit stroke.org.uk or to enter the run visit worcestercityrun.com