Race toward appeal total as runners clock up miles
EAST Cheshire Hospice is due to benefit from Macclesfield Half Marathon.
Its Bed Appeal is to be the beneficiary after more than 650 runners took part in the event at the weekend.
The Half Marathon is one of a few select races in the country where surplus funds are donated to charity and organisers are hoping the event will help to buy a new specially designed bed for the hospice.
The hospice is planning to replace 17 beds – 15 inpatient and two outpatient treatment beds – and with each bed costing just over £9,000, the total bill is a daunting fundraising feat.
Now in its 14th year, the Half Marathon was organised by members of the Macclesfield Harriers AC – some of whom also volunteered as pace runners. One of them, 35-year-old club member James Perry said: “As a pace runner, it was a great pleasure to help fellow runners to achieve their goals at this fantastic event.
“Thanks to all the volunteers for making this such a successful and friendly local race, and to the spectators for their support.
“I’m running the Chester Marathon on Sunday, so hope my legs will have recovered by then,” he says.
In glorious sunshine, the event was also a fun day out for those not wanting to achieve tough sporting targets and more than 200 people took part in the 5k race and Fun Run.
East Cheshire Hospice Deputy Chair of Trustees, Paul Morrissey and Board member, Dr Louise Hastings, were on hand to give encouragement to runners at the start of the race and all prizes at the end were handed out by Macclesfield MP, David Rutley.
“We’d like to thank all of those who took the time to take part in this year’s race,” says Hospice Event Manager, Jessica Ruth “Our Bed Appeal is a significant fundraising initiative for us and we are delighted that the whole community can support it through events such as the Half Marathon”.
This year’s race was won by James ScottBuccleuch of Stockport Harriers in a time of 01:14:32 and Victoria Perry was the fastest female runner in a time of 01:31:41.