Scouts on the run to support leader

A Scout leader who is taking part in the Great North Run has come up with a novel way of getting members of her troop involved.

Members of the Scout section at 1st Balderton Scout Group will run their own version of the event at their Scout Hall on Queen Street, shortly after assistant Scout leader Katherine Hawkins has competed in the race in Newcastle.

She will be among thousands taking part in the half-marathon on Sunday.

Katherine is raising money for The Scout Association nationally and her colleagues will raise money for 1st Balderton.

She decided to sign up for the race after spotting a Tweet appealing for volunteers to run for The Scout Association.

“I rather impulsively said ‘Yes, why not?’ and I only half-expected to be accepted because I am not a runner,” said Katherine.

“It’s an individual thing but I wanted to get everyone involved, so we will have an event at the Scout Hall as well so we can open it up to other people who support our group.

“It is a way of involving them in what I’m doing because I’m away in Newcastle running the distance. It’s not like it’s the Newark Half-marathon, where they could cheer me on.

“I came up with the challenge of seeing how many Great North Run distances they could run between them.

“They are going to be doing it over two hours, which is a little less time than it will take me.”

'An iconic event'

The Scouts will run laps of the field at the Scout Hall from 2pm to 4pm, a few hours after Katherine runs her race.

“It might be that they do it as a relay when they are all getting tired,” she said.

“Hopefully they can keep going for as long as possible.”

Katherine said although she played for Newark Hockey Club she had little running experience.

“I wouldn’t say I was a keen runner but I have done Parkrun a few times and in the past I have done a bit.

“I am more of a team sport player than a lone runner.

“The Great North Run is such an iconic event that if the opportunity comes up to do it, you take it.

“I have been running when I can and fitting it around all the Scouting activities I have got on, which has been the biggest challenge.”

Katherine hopes to raise around £600 for The Scout Association.

“My friends and family are being supportive — they think it’s a great thing to be doing,” she said.

“I’m going to go out there and enjoy the day. If we can raise money for the group with people running round a field as well then that all goes to the fundraising total.”

People can donate at www.virginmoneygiving.com/katherinehawkins