A FUN run (and walk) will return to Barnard Castle Meet weekend line-up following a link-up with the dale’s Cancer Research fundraising champions.
For years the Whit bank holiday festival, which started as a bicycle meet, featured a four and ten-mile road run as part of its regular activities.
Many thousands of pounds were raised over the years by participants who gained sponsorship for a variety of charities. However, issues with rising insurance costs and road closures meant the popular athletic event had to be dropped from the line-up.
And now after more than a decade break, the fun run (and walk) is back.
The Meet committee has teamed up with the Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK to bring pack the popular event and raise cash for the charity at the same time.
Meet committee member John Emerson said: “We thought we would do this in the Meet weekend because it’s an awful disease and everyone will know someone who has been affected by it in some way.
“The Meet committee wanted to show our support for the Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK, which has been going for 39 years. They have done so well in raising so much cash to help in the fight against this disease, so we thought this was fitting.”
The two and three-and-a-half-kilometre run will take place on Saturday, May 27, with registration at 10.30am and the starting gun set for 11am.
To avoid costly road closures a course will be set out on the Demesnes and members of Teesdale Triathlon Club have offered their support stewarding on the day.
Fellow Meet committee member Colin Glasper said: “We’ll have the marquees on the lower Demesnes for registration and somewhere for people to get changed and there’ll be plenty of space for people to spectate and cheer on the runners and walkers.
“Many people who do sponsored runs for Cancer Research wear pink tutus and I hope we’re going to see a few of those. This year for the parade and shop display contests we are running the theme of film and TV so we’re sure to get a few in fancy dress for the run as well, which will be fun.
Entrants will be encouraged to raise cash for Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK with sponsorship forms given out with entry forms.
Entry for adults is £3 and £1 for children. Entry forms are available to purchase now from various outlets in Barnard Castle including the Teesdale Mercury shop as well as from ancer Research committee members.
Pam Ashmore, secretary of the Teesdale Cancer Research group, said: “Teesdale Cancer Research are very grateful to the Meet committee for the support for our charity this year to help us beat the battle with cancer.
“All the money raised will stay in the north east and go to the research centre in Newcastle.”
