One 2,000 Brave The Cold To Run At Blenheim

The event, which comprises a children’s 1 mile and 4 miles run for buggies and wheelchairs alongside the main 7k, follows the trails and paths around the stunning grounds of the palace.

Up to 100 local and national charities were represented by fundraising teams including for Restore, the Oxfordshire mental health charity which is celebrated 40 years this year with 40 runners on the team. To date the charity team has raised over £3,000 from the event with more to come.

There were also big teams fundraising for local charities Helen & Douglas House and Sobell House.

Jayne Attwood of JTAFIT in Carterton said: “Great day, good race, lots of fun fundraising had by all.” Matthew Saunders of the Riot Club also from Carterton said: “It was an awesome day! We all had a cracking day and look forward to the next. Our fundraising for Helen & Douglas House is currently at 2.5K.”

Liz Hardiman ran the 7k for Great Ormond Street Hospital on behalf of a friend’s grandson who spent most of his 3 years at GOSH. The run was also part of her own fitness campaign, she said: “You can at any age or fitness level start running or become more healthy. I came very close to being diagnosed with an array of health issues relating to being obese and have completely changed my way of life. If I can encourage others to move more, eat healthy and believe in themselves I’m going to help as much as I can. “

Caroline Cookson helped to organise Team ‘Run4Joyce’ who were raising money for the Neurology ICU at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the memory of their friend Joyce Carter. Joyce was a 46-year-old Flight Sergeant in the RAF who had recently been posted back to RAF Brize Norton and passed away following a sudden stroke in November last year.

Caroline said: “As a close friendship group, we all wanted to do something positive in Joyce’s memory, to thank the Neuro ICU and which would allow them to continue to make a difference to families going through the toughest situations.

“Joyce loved her family and friends, she enjoyed visiting Blenheim Palace and being active was an important part of her lifestyle – so running the Blenheim 7K / Kids 1 Mile on Sunday April 29th in her honour seemed a fitting tribute.” Team Run4Joyce raised over £3,000.

Sarah Foster, Managing Partner of sponsor Freeths Solicitors said: “We really enjoy getting involved with this charitable event because it enables so many people to raise much needed funds for so many worthwhile charities. This is why we’re proud to be the main sponsor of the Blenheim 7k run for the sixth consecutive year. On behalf of Freeths Solicitors, I want to say thank you to all of the runners that took part in the fun run. Your support is what makes this event the success that it is. I look forward to cheering on next year’s runners.”

The results of the Blenheim 7k events

1 mile – first female Holly Wilkinson and overall winner 5:21
1 mile – first male Lucca Froud 5:31
1 mile – first school team Marsh Gibbon Primary 29:02
7k – first male Daryl May 00:26:56
7k – first female Claire Louise Gorman 31:40
7k – 1st team Windrush Tri 36:54
7k – 1st school team Cothill House School 02:24:41
4 mile – first buggy female Gina Napier 36:26
4 mile – first buggy male Matt Hitchings 28:34
4 mile – first wheelchair Karen Williams 1:21:30

www.blenheim7k.co.uk