Record numbers defy the rain for Wakefield Hospice 10K

RECORD NUMBERS turned out to pound the streets to raise money for Wakefield Hospice for its 20th 10k fundraising run today.
The Wakefield Hospice 10k 2015 gets under way.
Picture: Allan McKenzieThe Wakefield Hospice 10k 2015 gets under way.
Picture: Allan McKenzie
The Wakefield Hospice 10k 2015 gets under way. Picture: Allan McKenzie

Morley and Outwood MP Ed Balls and Emmerdale actress Michelle Hardwick, who plays vet Vanessa and is from the city, started the run, which is expected to raise £50,000 for the charity.

The race route started in Thornes Park before taking runners up and down Horbury Road. The wet weather put off some of those who had signed up, but organisers still counted record numbers of runners.

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Hospice fundraiser Danielle Norman said: “We had 1,900 running, but had received 2,300 entrants, so the weather seemed to make some people stay away, but it was still by far the biggest turn out we’ve had in our 20 year history.

“This year is the 25th anniversary of the hospice and we encouraged people who had run before to join us once again.

“We’re hoping to have raised £50,000, which is enough to pay for the running of the entire hospice for about a week, which is fantastic.”

Among those running were BBC Look North presenters Harry Gration and Nicola Rees, and teams from local businesses including brother and sister running rivals Claire and Simon Kendall, from main event sponsor Richard Kendall estate agents.

A 1k children’s fun run, which took part in Clarence Park Arena, was “really well supported”, added Mrs Norman.

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