Bedford Running Festival is a winner!
SMART is delighted to report that this year’s running festival was a huge success, with the fundraising total currently at £7,000 with more funds yet to be banked! 34 people took part across the weekend in a variety of races with 1,500 people participating in the kid’s mini mile, the 5K and 10K race on the Saturday and then a further 1,000 people ran on the Sunday in the half marathon and 20-mile race.
We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who was involved. The runners, our supporters, those who donated, those who came along to cheer people on and to our amazing volunteers who ran our stall in the charity village throughout the weekend. We couldn’t have done it without you all. It was a fantastic weekend and the weather was lovely.
One of our runners, Ashley Berry, went on to win the 5K race in under 14 minutes, isn’t that amazing? We were all VERY excited when we saw her on the stage being awarded a gold(ish) medal! If you are reading this, Ashley, CONGRATULATIONS, and thank you very much for raising funds for SMART!
Our very own Fergus Crombie (Trustee at SMART!) also took part in the race with Business Development Manager James who altogether successfully raised over £1,000!
Even some old faces turned up. Jason who used to work at the Prebend Support Hub also took part on Saturday, here he is with Sarah G fundraising manager.
The 10K race proved to be a hugely popular event with many of our own colleagues and families taking part:
Featured in this photo: Russell Barratt, Louise Ritchie Head of Operations, Steven Hester, SMART long-term supporter.
Jenni lake was in the 10K too and achieved a personal best time. Well done, Jenni!
Mags Brady CEO of PBIC (one of our partner organisations) signed up her whole family for the 10K race. One in, all in! Here she is with our very own Louise Ritchie, Head of Operations.
Some of our local business partners took part, too.
Ellena O’Sullivan from AWS Tel Security with friend Danny Maguire.
Another one of our sponsors Thomas Charles Lettings were brilliantly represented by Julie Brown and Catherine Wookey who completed the 5K in sweltering conditions!
Kelly Vaelka took part in the 10K and ran her fastest time, getting to ring the ‘Personal Best Bell!’
Emma Allibon (a local well-known runner), also achieved her personal best! Great action shot Emma!
Brother and sister running duo Ben and Fiona Hill took on the two largest distances of all: the half marathon and 20 mile race! Well done!
Finally, our very own Sarah Grimes and good friend Ryan Travers from Octagon Financial took on the half marathon and the 20-mile race respectively. They definitely weren’t smiling like this at the end of the race!)
