Andy Munns
Hundreds of local people gathered to ‘Race for Life’ in Salisbury’s Hudson’s field yesterday morning.
Celebrating its 30th year, the popular run raises money for Cancer Research to help carry out their essential work in helping prevent, cure and increase survival rates.
It was a damp morning, with rain arriving earlier than usual. Still, runners were greeted by Salisbury Radio’s Matt Rogers, who helped keep spirits high before Chris from Parkwood Health and Fitness got the runners warmed up.
The 10k runners were up first, with Salisbury MP John Glen getting them underway. As those runners disappeared out of Hudson’s Field, the 5K runners began turning up in their numbers.
The fastest of the 10k runners were finishing just as the final preparations for the 5k runners were taking place, with the top few runners finishing inside the 50-minute mark.
Over 600 runners took part, with over £35,000 already raised, with much more in sponsorship money to be donated.
All the runners were running for their own reasons:
Jo Natt made sure a photo of her late dad was protected from the rain as she made her way around the 5k course. Jo said: “I’m here to remember my dad who passed away in April last year. He was diagnosed with lung cancer and died eight days later.”
Cancer survivor Deborah Deans, 66, from Winterbourne, walked the 5k with her daughter, granddaughter and two dogs, Skye and Chase.
Deborah said: “I found out I had bladder cancer four years ago and have had chemotherapy and radiotherapy and here I am today. We do it every year, it’s a great cause.”
Now organisers of the 5k and 10k are sending a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who put their best feet forward as well as their supporters. And they’re appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.
Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in Salisbury, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Salisbury.
“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise. The atmosphere at Race for Life Salisbury was hugely moving – full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible. Funds raised – whether it’s £10 or £100 – will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”
Below is our gallery of photos from the event – see if you can spot yourself if you took part.
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