Boost for charities as first Asda Foundation Bury 10K hailed a success

The first Asda Foundation Bury 10K has been hailed a fantastic success as more than 1,000 people hit the streets – running up a major boost for charity.

Enthusiastic spectators helped create an amazing atmosphere as they cheered the runners around the route, which started and finished near The Rock retail and leisure venue.

And the good news is that the race will definitely be back next year – on Sunday 17 September! Registration is already open, so there’s plenty of time for everyone to set themselves a goal and work towards it. For the details, go to https://bury2017.eventdesq.com/

First across the finish line was Danny Collinge in 32mins and 59secs. He was followed by Ben Coop who clocked 34mins 28secs with Daniel Bird taking third place with a time of 34mins 38secs.

Katie Geelan was the first woman home in 39mins 48secs. Second was Sophie Whittaker with a time of 39mins 55secs and Emily Carr took third place in 40mins 45secs.

The winning wheelchair athlete was Chris Nash who finished in 29mins and 23secs.

Other runners included Helena Ridsdale, from Heywood, who transformed her health after shedding seven stone by taking up running and Kelly Hayes, from Ramsbottom, who took part to raise funds for Bury Hospice that cared for her inspirational sister who died in July this year.

But the biggest winners were the many charities who are set to benefit for the event. Many runners were supporting a good cause of their own choice or one of the event’s partner charities - Jigsaw, Home-Start Bury, Bury Hospice, the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Trust and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

A popular feature of the day was the Arena Group Family Fun Run, which followed the 10K and was free for children aged between three and 14. Each of the runners who crossed the finish line of the 1.4K route were rewarded with a goody bag and medal to show the world they did it!

Adrian Fitzpatrick, Arena Group Managing Director, said: “The fun run certainly contributed to the great community feel that surrounded the event. It was wonderful to see so many families getting involved in what was a great day.”

Those taking part in the Family Fun Run were encouraged to raise money for Buddy’s for Children with Autism, the event’s partner charity.

The Bury 10K was organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All in partnership with I Will If You Will (IWIYW), a fitness movement in Bury that’s helping women, girls and their families to be more active, more often. IWIYW is delivered by Bury Council with National Lottery funding form Sport England.

It was the latest addition to the Asda Foundation 10K Series, which features runs in Lincoln, Nottingham, Hull, Burnley, Leeds, York and Sheffield.

Asda Foundation senior manager Julie Ward said: “We are delighted with the success of the first Asda Foundation Bury 10K. It was clear that runners of all abilities took the opportunity to get involved, many of them managing to raise money for good causes while improving their fitness as well. Well done to all the finishers.”

Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “Everyone that took part in either the Bury 10k or the family fun run is a winner in my book.Many, many heroes were made in Bury this weekend and it was fantastic to see such a lot of people turning out to support the work of some great causes.

“Delivered in partnership with the National Lottery funded I Will if You Will fitness movement, this amazing event has certainly helped to get our community up onto their feet and more active, more often.It’s also been a great opportunity for some running tourism and I hope that those who joined in from further afield enjoyed what Bury has to offer.

“And last, but by no means least, I’d like to thank all the terrific volunteers for giving up their own time to help make this event a big success.”

Charlie Tatman, Run for All Event Manager, said: “A big thank you must go to everyone who has worked hard to make the first Asda Foundation Bury 10K so memorable, particularly the brilliant volunteers who gave up their time to ensure the runners had a safe and enjoyable event.”

The Bury 10K was supported by the Asda Foundation, I Will If You Will, Bury Times, Key 103 and ViiSana.

For information about Run For All events visit www.runforall.com

ENDS

Press release issued: 19 September 2016.

Notes to editors

About Run For All

Run For All is part of Jane Tomlinson’s lasting legacy. Jane Tomlinson CBE raised £1.85m for children’s and cancer charities before her untimely death from cancer aged just 43 in 2007. She made headlines across the world by competing in a series of epic endurance challenges from the London Marathon, ironman and triathlon competitions, to a 4,200 mile cycle ride across the width of the USA – despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Her family continue to raise funds in her name, and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal has to date raised a massive £7.6m.

Run For All also organises the Plusnet Marathon series, which features half marathons in Leeds and Sheffield and the Yorkshire Marathon in York.

For more information the Run For All press office on 0113 826 7764 or email press@runforall.com.

About I Will If You Will

I Will If You Will is focused on changing women and girls’ behaviours towards taking part in sport and physical activity with the aim of getting more women and girls being more active, more often, and helping improve the health and wellbeing of people in Bury.

It aims to overcome the many practical and emotional barriers to being active, while encouraging women to support each other by joining the I Will If You Will community.

The phase one campaign (2013 – 14) was delivered by Bury Council with £2.3 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England.For the phase two campaign (2015 – 16), Sport England has allocated a further £2 million to extend delivery.

The successful IWIYW pilot campaign identified valuable insight and helped develop the foundations for Sport England’s national This Girl Can campaign, which launched in January 2015, as well as Sport England’s practical guide to helping women and girls get active (www.sportengland.org/womenandgirls). For more information visit the website www.iwillifyouwill.co.uk

About Asda Foundation

The Asda Foundation is a charitable corporate foundation making independent grants throughout the UK. Its aim is to ‘transform, communities’ improving lives for people and communities in the UK both now and in the future. It funds the charitable projects and activities that have ideas and the ability to achieve change for the better. Go to www.asdafoundation.org for more information.