Runners pound the streets to earn £5,000 jackpot for charity

MORE than 560 runners pounded the streets for this year’s Macclesfield Half Marathon, raising £5,000 for charity.

The 13-mile run, organised by the Macclesfield Harriers, took place for the 15th time from Macclesfield Leisure Centre, along with a 5k course involving 220 people and 91 children in the fun run.

The main race involved 562 competitors and was started by Macclesfield MP David Rutley and Bob Lynch, honorary president of the Harriers.

The race was won by Steffan Sayer in a time of 1:15:21 and Hayley Ashby was the fastest female in a time of 1:26:35.

Alexis Dinsmor from Stockport broke the record in the Female Veteran 65 category, beating the time she set in 2014.

The youngsters dominated the 5K race with Harry Simpson and Lauren NcNeil, who are both under 17, as the first male and female across the line. Harry took overall victory in the in a time of 17:32 and Lauren was the fastest female across the line in 19:08.

In the Half Marathon Fallibroome School won the Schools Challenge, Manchester Korfball won the ActiveMacc Challenge and Federal Mogul were winners of the Ronhill Corporate Challenge.

In the 5K Challenge events the winning teams were: Just Drop-in, Bioscript and Bollington PreSchool who raised £400 to buy hi-vis jackets for school trips.

The fun run was won by Oakley Wright, 12, ahead of Thomas Marsh, 10, and Will Nettle, 11, in third.

Mandy Calvert, race director, said: “The showers did not dampen the enthusiasm.

“There was a record number of runners taking part in three races.

“Whether running their first 5K or competing to improve their standing in the Cheshire Grand Prix, the feedback on the event has been brilliant.

“There is a massive amount of work done by the volunteers from Macclesfield Harriers to organise the race and it takes a special team to deliver such a great event for the athletic and local community.

“Come on and join us on the team or on the track next year.”

Alison Gunn, fun run organiser, said: “There was a range of ages and abilities who ran very speedily around the cross country trail at the Macclesfield Athletics Track.

“All the runners were presented with a medal at the finish. Well done to all of them.”

The money raised at the event will be split between East Cheshire Hospice, the Rossendale Trust, and Space4Autism.

Sponsors included Jordan Fishwick, JJ Cookson, Federal Mogul, Paul Smith Dental Practice and Active Cheshire.