PARTS of the countryside not normally open to the public can be enjoyed when a charity run gets underway.
The inaugural Cotherstone 5k run was held last year and this year organisers are promising a bigger and better event with a new start and finish point, the addition of a 10k route and additional entertainment on the day.
There will also be a prize for the best fancy dress in the children’s fun run.
The event takes place at Doe Park Caravan Site on Saturday, July 29, thanks to permission of the owners Stephen and Alison Lamb.
Organiser Peter Kirkman said the introduction of the longer route was based on suggestions from many who took part last year. He said: “It will start in a field adjacent to the parking and registration area and they will set off running through the caravan park, which is nice because people from the caravan park supported us last year.
“We have spoken to landowners to cross fields that would not normally be accessible to the public.”
Charities to benefit are the Great North Air Ambulance service (GNAAS) and Pancreatic Cancer UK – organisations that are close to the heart of Mr Kirkman, whose wife died of the disease, and fellow organisers Robert “Taff” Johnson, who had the air medics arrive when he was involved in a motorbike accident. In the registration area, there will be performances by Barnard Castle Brass Band, a GNAAS stall, merchandise stall from Pancreatic Cancer UK, a popular burger van that is usually parked up near Egglestone Abbey bridge and the Barista Sisters serving up coffee and tea.
There will be trophies for the first male and female runners in the 10k and 5k events and a voucher from Connelly’s Toy Shop for the winner of the fancy dress.
Barnard Castle town crier Ian Kirkbride will be on hand to award medals to all participants and popular upper dale volunteer Sue Bainbridge will again provide a warm-up ahead of the runs.
The children’s fun run sets off at 10am, followed at 10.30am with the 5k and 10k.
Organisers are hoping that those who take part will also get sponsors for their run to raise extra cash for the charities. To register and to receive a sponsorship form ring Peter Kirkman on 07939 064333 or email Cotherstone5k@gmail.
com. People can also search for Cotherstone 5k on Facebook.
