“THE only one missing was Ben. He should have been there.”

These were the emotional words of Neil Johnson who had just completed a race in tribute of his teenage son Ben, who died suddenly late last year.

And Ben’s spirit lives on – as more than 200 people were determined to prove as they lined up for the first 12-mile race in his memory at Gravesend Rugby Club.

In the words of Ben Johnson’s best friend Jack Bearman: “This for me is Ben’s day, I am running for Ben and nothing else.”

The poignant day was opened by former world featherweight boxing champion Barry McGuigan, who had met Ben at the Southern Area Boxing Championships last year, and described him as "a fabulous kid with a bright future ahead of him".

The 17-year-old was snatched from his father, mother Donna and sister Jade, and friends, when he died of undiagnosed acute leukaemia on November 13 last year.

The Gravesend Grammar School A-level student was not only a gifted academic but also a budding sportsman.

It was this sporting determination which led Ben and close friends Jack Bearman, Elliott Reid and Arif Rana to run the 12 miles from Gravesend to Bluewater and back as part of training programme.

Dad Neil, of Cross Lane East, Gravesend, and friends Jack, Elliott and Arif ran the first emotional lap in Ben’s memory alone.

Mr Johnson, 49, said: “We were overwhelmed by how many people turned out. Obviously it was a very emotional day but he would have been proud.”

Teenager Jack organised the event with his mum Sharan and Ben’s family. He said: “I think Ben would be amazed at how many people loved and respected him.”

Money raised will go to the charity Leukaemia Research.