Volunteers sought for half marathon

More than 6,400 runners have so far signed up to take part in the event at Don Valley Stadium with more expected to register before the event takes place later this month.

Now organisers are calling on people to give up their time to help at the event.

Volunteers are needed to help with tasks including charity bucket collections, time zone and route marshalling, and giving out goody bags, medals and T-shirt distribution after competitors cross the finishing line.

Margaret Lilley, chairman of the Sheffield Half Marathon organising committee, said: “The race is always such a huge event in Sheffield and this year it will be even bigger after the slight change to the route allowed us to take more entries.

“On the day there are tasks from packing lunches to escorting the winning runners to the prize presentations, so we are encouraging people to sign up and be a part of a tremendous event to help raise money for the marathon’s chosen charities.”

Runners will be raising money for charities including the British Heart Foundation, Myasthenia Gravis Association, St Luke’s Hospice, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre South Yorkshire, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Among the celebrity runners will be snooker star Steve Davis, who will be joined by others including Shaun Murphy and Peter Ebdon.

They will be running to raise money for the Paul Hunter Foundation, which was set up in memory of fellow player Paul Hunter, who died from leukemia in 2006.

The charity raises funds to deliver free all-inclusive snooker sessions for youngsters across the UK and Ireland.

The half marathon and 3k Fun Run starts at 9am on May 27. To volunteer call 0114 2308429, email [email protected] or visit www.sheffieldmarathon.com.