Published on: Monday 23 May 2016 at 13:10
Tickets are on sale for this popular running event
This year the popular Stansted 10k fun run and walk is celebrating its 30th anniversary and event organisers are pulling out all the stops to make the 2016 event bigger than ever before. The charity running event will once again be raising vital funds for St Clare Hospice, the town’s local charity.
The Stansted 10k fun run will take place at 11.00am on Sunday 17 July at Benfield Green in Stansted, with a new 1mile family-friendly fun run taking place at 10.00am.
One member of the 2016 organising committee, who has been part of the Stansted 10k group since the event was founded in 1986, is Jim Collins. Jim, who has lived in Stansted for 36 years, was part of the original team of Stansted residents who came up with the concept for the charity running event.
Jim said: “We first came up with the idea for a fundraising running event back in 1986 when Sport Aid was founded in response to the Ethiopian famine. A group of Stansted residents and myself were in the pub one night, feeling like we should do something to help, and came up with the concept of a sponsored run. The landlady of the Rose and Crown at the time, Ruby, encouraged us with the very generous offer of a free barrel of ale for all the runners!”
“Since then, the event has continued to grow and grow. We never could have anticipated that 30 years later it would be such a popular event. The first year we had just 90 participants, but across the three decades more than 8,000 people have taken part in the run. Incredibly, this has led to us raising around £100,000 for both local, national and international charities.”
This year, the Stansted 10k fun run and walk will once again raise funds for St Clare Hospice.
Jim said: “At the last 10k event we raised over £4,000 for St Clare’s and we could not be more proud to support our fantastic local hospice. There are so many hundreds of families in the Stansted community, and surrounding villages, who have been given incredible support and care by the hospice. Each of us on the committee has experienced in some way the care which St Clare’s gives to families at one of the hardest moments in life. Whether we have loved ones ourselves who have been touched by St Clare, or know friends or neighbours who have needed their care, we all understand firsthand the difference their support makes to people.”
“This year the Stansted 10k event is going to be bigger than ever before! We will be holding the challenging 10k multi-terrain race – which takes runners across the beautiful Essex countryside – as well as a 1mile family-friendly route. The 1mile family fun run will take place around Benfield Green itself. It will be suitable for all ages and abilities, as well as for pushchairs and wheelchairs, so this year absolutely everyone can get involved.”
St Clare Community Fundraiser, Sue Fishpool, who is helping to organise this year’s event, said: “We are so grateful to the residents of Stansted and to all those who have supported this fantastic community event across three decades – especially the landowners and farmers, including the Hassobury Estate, Battlement Estate and Stephen Kemp, who allow the run to take place across their land. The event is renowned for its amazing atmosphere and this year is going to be a real summer festival!”
“We are very thankful to the Rose and Crown Pub who will be hosting a delicious hog-roast on the green after the race, and to the event’s main sponsors David Lee and Lever and Co. Thank you also to all the local shops and supporters who are running stalls, games and music around the green. It will have a great festival atmosphere and I can’t wait to see all that the town has planned to mark their big three-zero celebration!”
“This year we are aiming to double the amount we raise for St Clare and participants are being encouraged to fundraise an additional £30 to mark the 30th anniversary of the event. Whether you gain sponsorship for completing the run, host a Big Brew tea party to raise extra funds, or maybe even shave your hair for St Clare – our fundraising team are there to help you every step of the way. Every penny you raise really does make a difference to us and helps towards the massive £4 million which St Clare needs every single year to keep our services running.”
Entry to the 10k run costs £12 for those over 16 years (£15 on the day) and £6 for those under 16 years. Prizes for the 10k run will be awarded in the following categories: under12, under16, adults, and veterans and super vets, as well an award for the fastest team (4 participants per team). The 10k run is chip-timed and will start at 11.00am, with registration opening on the day at 9.00am.
The 1mile fun run for children and families will start at 10.00am and entry costs £3 per child/person. All children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.
You can register for both the 10k and 1mile events here or on the dedicated event website here.
The organising committee are looking for volunteers to marshal and help on the day. If you are able to offer some time please contact St Clare Community Fundraiser Sue Fishpool on 07718 257725 or email sue.fishpool@stclarehospice.org.uk