Run heroes back our campaign... and now Mo’s coming to town
THOUSANDS SUPPORT #WESTANDTOGETHER CAMPAIGN AS THEY POUND THE STREETS IN HALF MARATHON
THOUSANDS of runners and supporters sent out a defiant message of love at yesterday’s Manchester Half Marathon.
Event organisers threw their support behind the M.E.N.’s #WeStandTogether campaign.
Many of the 10,000 runners wore yellow wristbands in support of the drive, launched following the Manchester Arena bomb.
It aims to fight all crime driven by hatred, educate our children to solve problems through peace and encourage and celebrate acts of kindness and love.
Plenty of runners also pounded the streets of Trafford dressed as bees the Manc symbol which has come to represent our city’s defiance since May’s atrocity.
Among the supporters lining the pavements near the finish line at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground was Steve Goodman, close family friend of Bury schoolgirl Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, one of the 22 people killed in the bomb.
Steve, who helped set up Liv’s Trust – a charity foundation which aims to honour Olivia’s life by promoting musical education, drama and the arts across Greater Manchester – said: “The atmosphere has been fantastic. This is what the #WeStandTogether campaign and Liv’s Trust is all about. Nobody is born with hate, we choose love.”
Race CEO Nick Rusling described the event as ‘exceptional,’ adding: “Days like today are what it’s all about.
“Seeing people get across the line, seeing people running for all sorts of different reasons is amazing. That is why we felt it was important to get behind the #WeStandTogether campaign. Everyone comes together as runners, friends and family.”
Luke Traynor stormed away from the field to win the men’s race in a course record time of 1hr 4.41mins, while Rebecca Hilland was the first woman, in 1hr 15.40mins.
Among the other competitors was Patrick Barden, who has cerebral palsy. He tackled the course over three days, completing the last threemiles of the course yesterday and crossed the finish line to massive cheers from the crowds.