Race for life: Run a tribute to sufferers
The 2,060 women and girls who took part in Wednesday’s Race For Life at Newark Showground are expected to have raised just under £90,000 between them for Cancer Research UK.
The start of the Newark event, in its third year, was delayed by about half an hour because of other events at the showground.
The crowd was entertained by Heart FM’s breakfast presenter, Amy Voce.
When race organiser, Mrs Alison Cook, announced that this year’s route was slightly less than 5k there were cheers in the crowd.
“I thought some of you might be pleased about that,” Mrs Cook told them.
A mass warm-up, led by diet and fitness instructor Mrs Trudi Ward-Walters, involved lots of bending and stretching.
The runners and joggers set off first, followed by those who opted to walk the course.
Mrs Cook said: “We had just under 2,000 entrants last year so we’ve done better. It’s a really great turn-out.
“We always have a really great response from people in the Newark area. The money we expect to raise is just an amazing amount.”
The money will be added to that raised at similar events throughout the country. The national total is expected to be £60m this year.
New this year was a special reflection area that was filled with emotional messages written by entrants about how cancer had touched their lives.
Mother and daughter, Mrs Yvonne Price (52) of Lincoln Road, Newark, and Mrs Leanda Hardy (30) of Gainsborough Drive, Newark, took part in honour of their friend, Mr Scott Whittaker (36).
Mr Whittaker, of Rubys Avenue, Fernwood, was diagnosed a week ago today with cancer of the hip and lungs.
The two women wore pink tutus and leg warmers and were joined by more of Mr Whittaker’s friends — Mrs Nicola Pelling (32) of Dale Crescent, Fernwood, Miss Karen Hardy (25) of Park Crescent, Newark, and Mrs Lena Duffy (52) of Cherry Holt, Newark.
Staff from several Newark businesses took part in the race, including a group from Morrisons. They were: Lindsey Furrey (27) Janet Farrell (58) Jayne Sheppard (27) Nikki Craven (19) Carol King (54) Jade Chapman (25) Joan Lowrey (47) Dawn Hockey (48) and Lorna White (47).
A group of women from Mrs Ward-Walters’ diet and fitness class took part and were hoping to raise £10,000.
One of the oldest competitors was Mrs Fran Hunt (69) of Valley Prospect, Newark, who raised £1,750.
She posted leaflets through people’s doors in the Valley Prospect and Hawton Road area, asking for sponsorship.
It is the third year Mrs Hunt, who works at Crawford’s Newsagents on Baldertongate, Newark, had taken part.
She said: “When you are walking you see all the different people with their notes on their back. You realise you are doing it for a good cause and it spurs you on.”
