Fundraisers go the distance for St Michael's

More than 1,200 runners signed up for an annual running event in support of St Michael’s Hospice.

RUN Hereford, which raises thousands of pounds for the Bartestree-based Hospice, saw people travel from across the region to attend.

It features a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K – all beginning and ending at Hereford Leisure Centre on Holmer Road.

This year’s event is expected to raise around £60,000 for St Michael’s.

For the second year in a row, Sage Pearce-Higgins won the Marathon in a time of two hours, 48 minutes and 52 seconds, around four minutes quicker than last year and 17 minutes faster than second-placed Luke Moseley.

‘It’s my favourite marathon course,’ said 34-year-old Sage, who completed the London Marathon three weeks ago.

‘It’s a hilly course but there’s beautiful scenery.

‘I’m a huge supporter of St Michael’s Hospice and I’m glad to be involved. Knowing it’s for a local charity makes it more personal.

‘I’m really grateful to all the marshals and supporters along the course.’

Sage, who lives in London but grew up in Herefordshire, ran in support of The HOPE Centre in Bromyard.

He says he hopes to return next year.

The Marathon route took runners out to Weobley before returning through Credenhill.

The Half Marathon was won by Daniel King in a time of one hour, 13 minutes and 41 seconds. The 10K winner was Charlie Jones in 33 minutes and 52 seconds, while Scott Jones won the 5K in 18 minutes, 58 seconds.

For some, RUN has led to a new hobby.

Avi Madhan took part in last year’s Half Marathon, starting a chain of similar events that he has completed.

‘I was buying books in Hay-on-Wye last year when RUN popped up on my Facebook page, so I signed up. I’ve done 16 Half Marathons since then, and now I’m running Marathons.’

He completed the Hereford Marathon in four hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds.

Hospice Events Manager, Matt Ashcroft, said: ‘We’d like to thank everyone for helping make RUN Hereford the great success that it was.

‘We hope those who took part enjoyed their day.

‘Thanks also to our wonderful band of volunteers for helping out on the day, and to the support given to us by our sponsors, Western Power Distribution.’

The St Michael’s Hospice Events season continues on Saturday, 16^th June with The Paint Runner, before the Wheelie Big Cycle on Sunday 15^th July.