A run for their charities' money
Published 20 May 2010 12:00
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MORE than 900 runners took part in an annual race that was oversubscribed for the first time in its 10 year history.
Spectators lined the course of the Woodley 10k, which started and finished at the Memorial recreation ground in Headley Road, on Sunday.
The run, organised by 1st Woodley Scouts, was voted Britain's eighth best course for beginners last year and participants come from all over the country.
More than 25 runners were raising money for charity The Sarcoma Trust, including Woodley teenager Pippa Hatch, who was diagnosed last October with a rare form of cancer known as Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumour (Gist) and ran the junior 3k race.
Her mum Leigh Hibberdine, 41, who led the team, was hoping to raise more than £10,000 for The Sarcoma Trust, which supports patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas.
First over the line was Mike Deegan, 54, from Manchester, who ran with friends he met at Birmingham University. They were raising money for charity Cancer Research UK.
Mr Deegan, who finished in 34min 10s said: "My wife died of cancer last year so we ran for Cancer Research UK.
"It was a great atmosphere. I enjoyed the race and I relaxed into it." The first woman to finish was Reading Roadrunner Sarah Gee, 46, from Sunningdale.
The mum of two, fresh from completing the London Marathon in an impressive time of two hours 40 minutes, set new course and age group records by completing the race in 35min 10s.
She said: "It was great. It was fine having not done it before. There was support for the runners the whole way round the course."
Runner Michael McKie, 19, from Woodley, was dressed in a Morph suit for the race and said: "I have run the Woodley 10k for the last three years. There is always a really good atmosphere."
Mum of two Michelle Atheny, 38, from Woodley, said before the race: "I am very nervous as this is my first race!"
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