Digital campaign launched to help Bury train for town’s first 10k

I Will If You Will (IWIYW), the Bury-based fitness movement, has launched a digital campaign to help and encourage Bury residents as they train for the town’s first 10k on 18 September 2016.

I’ll Run If You Run is a digital space for runners to share real-life stories and access tips and advice to help them prepare for the race and their ongoing fitness journey.

One of the stories being profiled is that of Fiona Wheeler from Tottington – she’s running the Bury 10k to raise funds for Bury Hospice, a cause very close to her heart.

She said: “Bury Hospice means a lot to me as that's where my friend Jo spent the last week of her life – she was only 30 when she sadly lost her battle to cancer in 2011.

“The Hospice couldn't do enough for her, even organising for her to marry the love of her life. She was a brave and strong person who fought to the end – I may not have known her the longest but she touched my life and she'll never be forgotten. I’m taking on the Bury 10k to raise funds in her memory.”

Other IWIYW runners sharing their stories on the platform include two friends who motivate each other to keep on running, a family who run with their daughter in a buggy and a seasoned marathon runner who uses 5k and 10k runs to train for longer races.

Inspiring stories and motivational tips will be shared on the IWIYW website and across the IWIYW Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media spaces.

The Asda Foundation Bury 10K takes place on Sunday 18 September and is staged by Run for All in partnership with IWIYW, which is supported by Bury Council and Lottery funds from Sport England.

The Bury 10k starts and finishes close to The Rock Shopping Centre. The course is suitable for all ages and abilities, from beginners just starting out their fitness journeys to experienced fast runners looking for a personal best.

The event also includes the new Arena Group Bury Family Fun Run which is a shorter route; free for children aged three to 14, with a small charge for over 15s and adults.

Councillor Catherine Preston, deputy cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Bury Council, said: “We’re really looking forward to Bury hosting its inaugural 10K race in September. I’ll Run If You Run is a fun and informative platform for women to help and encourage each other as they train for the race, whether it is their first or 100th over the distance.

“I’d recommend people of all ages and fitness levels to sign up for the Bury 10k and use I’ll Run If You Run as a key part of their preparation.”

To register for the Bury 10k, please visit: www.runforall.com

ENDS

Press release issued: 1 August 2016.

Picture:Fiona Wheeler from Tottington is one of many real-life running stories being shared by the I’ll Run If You Run campaign.

Note to editors:

About I Will If You Will:

• I Will If You Will is focused on changing women’s 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).