The first Asda Foundation Bury 10K has been hailed a fantastic success as more than 1,000 people hit the streets – running up a major boost for charity.
Enthusiastic spectators helped create an amazing atmosphere as they cheered the runners around the route, which started and finished near The Rock retail and leisure venue.
First across the finish line was Danny Collinge in 32mins and 59secs. He was followed by Ben Coop who clocked 34mins 28secs with Daniel Bird taking third place with a time of 34mins 38secs.
Katie Geelan was the first woman home in 39mins 48secs. Second was Sophie Whittaker with a time of 39mins 55secs and Emily Carr took third place in 40mins 45secs.The winning wheelchair athlete was Chris Nash who finished in 29mins and 23secs.
Other runners included Helena Ridsdale, from Heywood, who transformed her health after shedding seven stone by taking up running and Kelly Hayes, from Ramsbottom, who took part to raise funds for Bury Hospice that cared for her inspirational sister who died in July this year.
But the biggest winners were the many charities who are set to benefit for the event. Many runners were supporting a good cause of their own choice or one of the event’s partner charities – Jigsaw, Home-Start Bury, Bury Hospice, the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Trust and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
A popular feature of the day was the Arena Group Family Fun Run, which followed the 10K and was free for children aged between three and 14. Each of the runners who crossed the finish line of the 1.4K route were rewarded with a goody bag and medal to show the world they did it!
Adrian Fitzpatrick, Arena Group Managing Director, said: “The fun run certainly contributed to the great community feel that surrounded the event. It was wonderful to see so many families getting involved in what was a great day.”
Those taking part in the Family Fun Run were encouraged to raise money for Buddy’s for Children with Autism, the event’s partner charity.The Bury 10K was organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All in partnership with I Will If You Will (IWIYW), a fitness movement in Bury that’s helping women, girls and their families to be more active, more often. IWIYW is delivered by Bury Council with National Lottery funding form Sport England.
It was the latest addition to the Asda Foundation 10K Series, which features runs in Lincoln, Nottingham, Hull, Burnley, Leeds, York and Sheffield.
Asda Foundation senior manager Julie Ward said: “We are delighted with the success of the first Asda Foundation Bury 10K. It was clear that runners of all abilities took the opportunity to get involved, many of them managing to raise money for good causes while improving their fitness as well. Well done to all the finishers.”
Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “Everyone that took part in either the Bury 10k or the family fun run is a winner in my book.Many, many heroes were made in Bury this weekend and it was fantastic to see such a lot of people turning out to support the work of some great causes.
