Stroud Half Marathon - October 25, 2009 (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud Half Marathon - October 25, 2009

3:00pm Wednesday 7th October 2009

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The 28th Stroud Half Marathon, organised by Stroud and District Athletics Club and sponsored by Griffiths Marshall chartered accountants of Gloucester, Dairy Crest and Nampak plastics of Stonehouse takes place on Sunday, October 25. The race starts at 10am from Marling School in Cainscross Road. Rachel Clare reports.

DOUBLE Olympian Dan Robinson visited the headquarters of the charity for which many will be running this year's Stroud Half Marathon – St Rose’s School in Stroud - on Friday.

Dan, from Nailsworth, heard about the ongoing success of the Smile appeal, which aims to raise enough money to build an on site hydrotherapy pool and new early years department at the school.

Pupils were all very excited to meet and chat with Dan who brought along his bronze medal from the Commonwealth Games, which took place in Melbourne in 2006.

Dan passed on some running tips to four members of staff - Kelly Skelton, Jess Reeves, Becky Noblet and Jackie Vowles - who are taking part in this year's half marathon in aid of the charity.

If you would like to support them please contact the school on 01453 763793.

Members of staff and children from St Rose’s will attend at the half marathon, and donations can also be made to collections on the day.

MINCHINHAMPTON parish councillor Alastair Mylechreest is planning to run this year's Stroud Half Marathon in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

And part of the inspiration behind the 13-mile run is the recent sudden death of fellow parish councillor Elizabeth Law.

Chartered surveyor Alastair, 42, last ran this distance 20 years ago but keeps fit by playing Hockey for Cirencester Hockey Club and touch rugby with Minchinhampton Old Ruckers.

He previously raised money for the charity in 1999 on a trek along the Great Wall of China.

“A friend of mine, Steve Walton, died aged 50 following a heart attack while playing cricket a couple of years ago and I said to myself at that time that I should do something to raise money to help fight heart disease," he said.

"Commitments and a couple of niggling injuries meant that did not happen at that time but following the recent death of Cllr Law I have decided not to put it off any longer."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Alastair for the half marathon can do so via Minchinhampton parish office, the Trap House, West End. Cheques should be made payable to the British Heart Foundation. FITNESS coach Simon Barnes, who completed his gruelling 904 mile John O’Groats to Land’s End run in 19 days, plans to take part in the Stroud Half Marathon in aid of Higgy's Heroes.

Simon completed the incredible challenge to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre charity.

He started on September 12 and finished at 11.35pm on Thursday, October 1, his 40th birthday. Family and friends greeted him in the dark.

From Taunton, he had run a straight 135 miles to Land's End with only 40 minutes sleep to make sure he finished on time.

During the run he suffered tendonitis in his foot and although he ate an extra 5,000 calories a day he lost nearly a stone in weight.

Simon, who lives in Gannicox in Stroud, hopes to have raised £10,000 from the run but is still counting the money.

As well as the half marathon he would like to tackle a race across America in the next few years, which involves running 50 miles a day for 60 days straight.

Several charities will be represented at the half marathon. This year the club is pleased to be associated with St Rose's School in Stroud (www.stroses.gloucs.sch.uk) whose aim is to educate and provide care and support for children with multiple physical disabilities, little or no speech and complex health needs. The Williams Syndrome Foundation (www.williams-syndrome.org.uk) has been well represented since 2001, and has raised £92,000 through the half marathon. The charity currently has a team of 47 entrants comprising 36 runners and 11 walkers. If you would like to support the Williams Syndrome Team (either as a runner or walker) contact Mike Adlam at mike@littleruin.co.uk A team comprising 145 runners from Higgy’s Heroes (www.msrc.co.uk) will also be present, aiming to raise as much money as possible for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre. Alastair Hignell - Higgy - is aiming to recruit 149 runners to equal his highest cricket score for Gloucestershire. To register email abi@msrc.co.uk by October 11.

Without the support of the general public this event would not be possible but the club needs marshals to assist on the day. If you would like to volunteer, call Chris Brown on 01453 762328 or e-mail marshal@stroudathleticclub.co.uk Entries for the half marathon at this stage are already at record levels, having already broken through the 2,000 people barrier. The race limit is 2,500. Entry information can be found at www.stroudathleticclub.co.uk, deadline is October 12.

The Stroud and District Athletics Club would like to apologise unreservedly in advance for the road closures which it accepts do cause inconvenience to other road users but are implemented in conjunction with the police to ensure the safety of everyone.

The road closure applications cover the following: (1) A419 Cainscross Road, between the Cainscross roundabout and the Wallbridge roundabout, from 8.30am to 1.30pm (2) B4008 Standish Lane, between Standish parich church and the junction with the A38, from 10.20am to 11.45am (3) The Nupend (Grove) Lane, running from the A38 at Whitminster to the entrance to the Little Chef at the island on the A419 near Chipmans Platt, from 10.30am to noon (4) Oldends Lane, Stonehouse, from the junction with the A419 to Midland Road, Stonehouse (over railway crossing), from 10.35am to 12.30pm (5) Paganhill Lane, in both directions, from top to bottom, between 10.50am and 12.30pm. As in the past, there will be an exemption for emergency vehicles, who will be given priority in the execution of their duties, and access will be made available for the bus service. (6) Dudbridge roundabout to Cainscross roundabout, in both directions, between 9.45am and 12.30pm

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