{"id":951849,"date":"2026-11-04T03:56:29","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T03:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/951849\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T03:56:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T03:56:29","slug":"the-blocks-dani-reilly-on-finishing-the-new-york-marathon-in-memory-of-daughter-billie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/951849\/","title":{"rendered":"The Block\u2019s Dani Reilly on finishing the New York Marathon in memory of daughter Billie"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Block\u2019s Dani Reilly<\/a> has shared an incredible update, confirming that she finished the New York City Marathon in memory of her daughter Billie.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At just over six months postpartum, through grief, and with just three months training, she did it with husband Dan Reilly, their son Fletcher and family cheering her on from the streets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Block\u2019s Dani Reilly has finished the New York Marathon, reflecting on the emotional experience in a raw post online. \u00a0Instagram\/@dani_wales<\/p>\n

Earlier this year the couple explained she was going to do the marathon to raise money for Billie\u2019s Besties<\/a>, a charity she and Dan founded in memory of their daughter.<\/p>\n

Dani had originally planned to do the marathon in 2024 but fell pregnant with Billie, so put the plans on hold.<\/p>\n

But after finally completing the run, she reflected on the experience in an emotional post on Instagram, admitting that while it wasn\u2019t the time she wanted, looking at the bigger picture it was an incredible experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201c5 hours, 43 minutes, 42.2km and an experience I\u2019ll never forget,\u201d the post started<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI came to New York with a goal of running a sub 4:30 marathon. Unfortunately, my ongoing ITB injury had other plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy 13km the pain had well and truly kicked in, and by 24km I could barely walk. Every attempt to run ended with my knee giving way, and what I\u2019d hoped would be the race of my life became a very long, painful walk to the finish line.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be lying if I said I wasn\u2019t disappointed. I worked so hard to get here, and not being able to give it the crack I\u2019d dreamed of was heartbreaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dani ran the marathon to raise money for Billie\u2019s Besties, a charity she and Dan founded in memory of their daughter. \u00a0Instagram\/@dani_wales<\/p>\n

But despite the setbacks, Dani said it was \u201cmagic\u201d and the \u201cenergy of New York is something else\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my favourite moment of the entire race? Seeing my beautiful Fletch\u2019s smiling face at mile 7, when I was still feeling good. A moment I\u2019ll hold onto forever,\u201d she continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than anything, I\u2019m just incredibly grateful. Grateful to be here, to have had this opportunity, to experience something so extraordinary and, despite everything, to cross that finish line.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dani went on to thank the friends and family who supported her and all of those who generously donated to Billie\u2019s Besties.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI look back at what it took just to get here\u2026 Two babies born via C-section in 16 months. 6.5 months postpartum. 22 months of navigating grief.\u201d\u00a0Instagram\/@dani_wales<\/p>\n

\u201cThis marathon was always about so much more than a finish time. It was about Billie, about making a difference, and about doing something I once couldn\u2019t have imagined,\u201d the post continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when I look back at what it took just to get here\u2026 Two babies born via C-section in 16 months. 6.5 months postpartum. 22 months of navigating grief.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver two years since I\u2019d last run. Just three months to train.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I think about everything my body, heart and mind have been through, maybe the biggest achievement wasn\u2019t my finishing time. Maybe it was simply getting to that start line.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t the race I\u2019d planned, but I\u2019m so bloody glad I did it. I\u2019ll be back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dani celebrating the huge achievement with Fletcher post-race. \u00a0Instagram\/@dani_wales<\/p>\n

The post also included snaps from her time running the marathon and celebrations afterwards. <\/p>\n

Dani was flooded with messages of support and congratulations on achieving such a huge feat, with so many celebrating her strength. <\/p>\n

Dan and Dani welcomed their son Fletcher in April<\/a>, a little more than one year after losing Billie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Dani<\/p>\n

Dan and Dani had Fletcher with them as they filmed The Block this year. \u00a0Instagram\/@dani_wales<\/p>\n

During an interview with Today in September<\/a> the couple opened up about parenthood and keeping Billie\u2019s memory alive. <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter Billie, we cherish every moment with this little man,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven the hard ones,\u201d Dani chimed in.<\/p>\n

Dani confessed that whenever she\u2019s told she \u201ccan\u2019t or shouldn\u2019t\u201d do something, it only makes her more determined to get it done \u2013 which was another driving force for the marathon. <\/p>\n

Dani remembered their daughter in a touching Instagram post days after they announced Fletcher\u2019s arrival, writing that Billie would have been \u201cthe best big sister\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Dani shared a touching post in the days after Fletcher\u2019s birth, saying Billie would have been \u201cthe best big sister\u201d. \u00a0Instagram\/@dani_wales<\/p>\n

\u201c16 months since you transitioned from this life into the next, in my arms, and it feels particularly heavy today as I hold your brother in the same way against my chest,\u201d the mum of two wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cA feeling I\u2019ll never be able to accurately explain \u2013 longing for one while celebrating the other. One only possible without the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

She and Dan have been very intentional about including Billie in their son\u2019s life since he arrived five months ago.<\/p>\n

The Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line is available 24\/7 for anyone affected by the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth or death of a baby or child on 1300 308 307.<\/p>\n