200 people take part in Silchester Fun Run (From This is Hampshire)

200 people take part in Silchester Fun Run

10:40am Saturday 29th September 2012 in News By Helen Morton

THERE was plenty of fun on the run as scores of athletes took part in the ever-popular Silchester Fun Run.

About 200 people lined up at the start on Silchester Common last Saturday for the annual run, which has been raising money for good community causes since 1997. The community event usually takes place in May but it had to be cancelled earlier in the year after bad weather affected the course.

Howard Wilkinson, a member of the Silchester Association and one of the organisers, said: “We’ve been very lucky with the weather this time round and we’re very pleased with how many people have come along to run and to watch the runners.

“We usually raise about £600 or £700 through the fun run, which all goes back into the village and allows us to pay for things like days out for children or older people.”

Two races – an 8km course for those aged 13 or over and a 4km course for fun runners, children and children running with parents – both started at about 11.15am.

Among those running the course were friends Becky Thurley, 14, and Lucy Baker, 15, who attend The Hurst Community College , in Brimpton Road. Dressed as Oompa-Loompas, they were fundraising for a charity trip they plan to make with the school next summer.

The pair, who were running the 4km course, will travel out with ethical travel company African Adventures for 10 days to take part in community work in the country. Lucy said: “We need to raise about £600 each and we want to raise it ourselves, not just ask our parents for help.”

All runners received a medal, and trophies were awarded for the winners of various categories in both races.