GREAT EASTERN RUN

There was a record turnout for the Great Eastern Run on Sunday.

And as well as a few familiar faces there were also plenty of new runners who gave the half marathon a go for the first time, as well as the 5k Anna’s Hope Fun Run.

Annette Joyce, service director for city services and communications at Peterborough City Council, said: “As well as being a recordbreaking event in terms of entries (5,383 for the half marathon and 1,401 for the Anna’s Hope Fun Run), we also had a lot of new runners, over half of which had never run the course before.

“The weather was perfect for running and the sun was shining which attracted the crowds, many of which were visiting our city for the first time.

“I would like to thank our sponsors and the hundreds of volunteers, businesses and council staff who made this event such a success and once again put Peterborough firmly on the map. As well as all this, thousands of pounds have been raised for charities and local good causes.”

Carole Hughes, founder of Anna’s Hope, said: “This year the runners really put the fun into the fun run. There were families, teams from local businesses and schools and some amazing costumes.

“The Anna’s Hope 5k Fun Run has grown over the years and become a great way to raise funds and awareness for local charities. I was amazed at the support we got from the local community and it was great to celebrate with them with some cake at the end of the run.”

One of the runners was Mick McCann who completed the half marathon in memory of his son who died during last year’s race.

Sixty-year-old Mick was joined by sons Graham and Richard and many of Paul’s friends and former work colleagues from Govia Thameslink Railway at Sunday’s race and completed the 13.1 miles in two hours 58 minutes.

Dad-of-two Paul (32) passed away around the 12th mile last year.

His family are now trying to raise around £8,500 for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) to pay for screenings of people aged under 35 to check for heart defects.

Speaking the day after finishing the run, Mick of Orton Longueville said: “I’m not too bad but I know a few of the others are aching all over. It was a brilliant day.

“I was lucky, I struck up a partnership with a girl from Norwich. We started talking around five miles in and were together until about the 12th mile which was a bit emotional, but I got through it.

“I got a fantastic reception at the end because everyone was waiting for me.

“It just feels like we completed it for Paul. We finished what he started. It’s difficult to put into words.”

Reece Hill (30) who secured his job as a train presentation team leader with Govia Thameslink Railway for Great Northern thanks to Paul’s help, said: “The race was emotionally draining. Before the start we tried to laugh our way through it but the moment I started running it just hit me - I was thinking he should still be here, running this, not me.

“After eight miles or so I stopped at a water station and just thought ‘I can’t go on’, but one of the runners saw me and Paul’s name on my shirt and said ‘keep going for Paul’ and it got me started again. The support from everybody along the route was amazing. Paul was very well known and respected in Peterborough.”

A group of around 22 enjoyed a meal at

The Farmers in Yaxley after the race

with some going

for a drink afterwards.

Mick added: “We appreciated all the support from everybody, not just everybody we knew. People came out and stood on the side of the street. The support was brilliant and it does help.

“The memorial fund for this year is just north of £6,000. We are quite confident we will make the target next year over different events.”

To donate to the fund, visit: https://www.justgiving. com/fundraising/MichaelMcCann9.

The Paul McCann team