11 run marathon for us & there’s still time to sign up
Eleven Southampton runners will be participating in the 10km and half marathon races at the ABP Southampton Marathon next month in aid of us and there are still spaces available for anyone who would like to join the team (April 7, 2024).
Among those running for us is Ali Fisher, who is Day Opportunities Manager at Southampton Living Well, part of the SCiA Group. She says: “I am really looking forward to running the half marathon, which is 13.1 miles, at this year’s ABP Southampton Marathon event for Communicare. I am well aware of the fantastic work the charity does, as I’ve worked closely with the team on a couple of projects and they are amazing, so I wanted to do my bit to contribute towards fundraising.
“I have been running for six years and my training is going just fine. My goal for completing the race is two hours and 30 minutes.”
Our 11-strong team includes, along with Ali, two of our Coordinators, Anna Pilgrim and Liz O’Neill, both running 10km. There’s also husband and wife team, Adrian and Debs Robinson, Kevin Sawers and one of our volunteers, Zara Fardell, who are all running the half marathon and are returning runners, having completed the race last year for us. Kevin has competed several times us and last year juggled the whole way round.
They are joined by Liz Bocock, also entered for the half marathon, and Illy Holleyman, who’s running the 10km.
Twenty-five-year-old Illy, who has been running for a year, explains: “I am aware of all the great work that Communicare does for the community in Southampton and I wanted to show my support. This has been further enlightened by my mother-in-law Anna, who works for the charity and is also running, and is so passionate about it.”
Also joining the team is our volunteer Ian Painter who has run before for us and has been a runner for about seven years. He hopes to finish the half marathon in two hours.
Marie has signed-up for our team too and is doing the half marathon. She has been running for more than 20 years. She’s participating to help support us and for the positive experience.
Anyone interested in sponsoring our team can do so via our JustGiving Team Page.
The ABP Southampton Marathon, which encompasses a 10km, half marathon and full marathon, takes place on Sunday, April 7, 2024 and we’re hoping to raise more than £1,500 through the sponsorship of our entrants.
Our Manager, Annie Clewlow says: “We’re delighted our 11 runners have decided to run and to raise vital funds for us. From these, three are running the 10km and six the half marathon, plus our CommuniBear mascot will make an appearance too! We have five spaces left to fill, so if you know anyone who would like to use one of them, please email: events@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk for more information. If you would like to run or walk using one of our places, please contact us before entering. If you have a place already, we can get it transferred to us too.
“By running for our charity in the event, you’ll be helping us beat loneliness and isolation in our city by not only raising invaluable funds but by also helping raise awareness for us.
“We’re providing each participant with a Communicare running t-shirt and lots of encouragement on the day from our team of ‘Communicheerers’ including our CommuniBear, who’ll be there to help raise spirits along the route.
“Plus, if you run/walk the ABP Southampton Marathon for us, you could be tucking into some Walkers biscuits after you cross the finish line. Donated to us via The Garden Centre Association, they’ll be in the goody bags we hand out afterwards to those who’ve fundraised for us.”