Former Wales captain and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has not taken the usual quiet retirement route after ending his professional football career earlier this month. Instead of stepping away from intense physical demands, the 35-year-old has committed himself to one of the toughest endurance challenges in sport: the London Marathon.
Ramsey admits the preparation has been far from easy. He describes long training sessions in harsh conditions, often facing cold rain and strong winds, and spending many hours running alone. Despite the difficulty, he says there is something strangely rewarding about the process. The mental and physical struggle, he explains, has given him a new perspective after years in professional football.
He told BBC Sport Wales that although retirement might suggest slowing down, he has chosen to stay active for a deeply meaningful reason. Ramsey is running to raise funds for the charity “It’s Never You,” which was founded by his close friends Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis. The organisation was created after the heartbreaking death of their six-year-old son Hugh, who passed away from a rare and aggressive cancer.
The connection between Ramsey and the family is very personal. He knew Hugh well, and their families spent time together, including their children playing together as friends. Ramsey’s own eldest son is close in age to Hugh, which makes the loss even more emotionally significant for him.
Hugh was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer, in 2020 when he was just five years old. Despite treatment and hope from his family, he passed away in September 2021 shortly after turning six. His death deeply affected those close to him and inspired the creation of the charity, which now supports other families facing similar experiences.
Ramsey says the work done by Ceri and Frances is extraordinary. He praises their strength, resilience, and determination to turn personal tragedy into something that helps others. According to him, the charity is still in its early stages but has already achieved a great deal in raising awareness and supporting families dealing with childhood illness.
Since retiring, Ramsey has found himself with more time and flexibility to support causes like this. He says stepping away from football has allowed him to commit more energy to charitable work and community efforts, something he sees as an important part of his next chapter.
His football career, however, remains a major source of pride. Ramsey officially announced his retirement after a long period without playing competitively. His final playing days included a brief stint in Mexico with Pumas, which was partly motivated by his desire to stay fit and possibly remain available for Wales selection in case they qualified for the World Cup.
That hope ultimately did not materialise, as Wales failed to reach the tournament. With no club contract and no immediate playing future, Ramsey decided it was the right moment to end his career. He reflected that while the ending was not the fairytale finish he once imagined, his overall journey in football still feels like a success story in its own right.
He expressed gratitude for the reaction to his retirement announcement, saying he was surprised by the level of support and appreciation from fans, former teammates, and clubs he played for. The messages he received made him realise the impact he had during his career across different teams and countries.
Looking ahead, Ramsey has already started preparing for life after football in coaching. He has earned most of his coaching qualifications and has taken early steps into management. Last season, he briefly served as caretaker manager of Cardiff City, the club where he began his football journey, during a difficult spell that ended in relegation.
He has also worked with the Welsh national team setup in an informal coaching capacity under head coach Craig Bellamy, gaining further experience at international level. In addition, he has spent time working with youth teams, including Cardiff’s under-18 squad, to build his understanding of player development.
Ramsey says coaching is something he is fully committed to pursuing. He enjoys the challenge and finds it exciting, even when results are difficult. His short spell in charge of Cardiff gave him valuable insight into management at senior level, and he hopes to build on that experience in the future.
Before focusing fully on coaching, however, he has one major challenge ahead: completing the London Marathon. The event will also feature Ceri Menai-Davis, who is running alongside him and carrying deeply symbolic items in memory of his son.
Ceri will carry Hugh’s shoes around his neck during the race, a powerful reminder of the child’s life and journey. He will also wear the names of more than 500 children affected by serious illnesses on his back, representing families supported by the charity.
Ceri explained that he had originally planned to run a marathon shortly before Hugh passed away, but his son died just two weeks before that event. In a deeply emotional gesture, he buried Hugh with his marathon medal. Since then, running has become a way for him to process grief and keep his son’s memory alive.
In previous marathons, Ceri has carried symbolic weight to represent grief physically, including wearing a heavy backpack equivalent to Hugh’s body weight. He has also run with Hugh’s shoes during international races, including in Paris, where he imagined sharing the experience with his son.
For the London Marathon, the emotional significance is even greater. Ceri says Hugh will symbolically be with him during the race, and they will cross the finish line together in spirit.
Ramsey’s involvement has already helped raise significant funds for the charity, reportedly over £25,000, with additional donations expected on race day. His participation has drawn attention not only because of his football fame, but because of the emotional depth behind the cause.
As he transitions from elite footballer to retired athlete, Ramsey’s focus has clearly shifted toward giving back, supporting meaningful causes, and preparing for a future in coaching. Yet his commitment to running a marathon so soon after retirement shows that his competitive spirit and physical dedication remain strong.
The London Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, will therefore be more than just a sporting event for Ramsey and Ceri. It represents remembrance, resilience, and the power of turning personal tragedy into collective purpose.
