Olympian opens Castlepoint’s fun runs

Organisers of the second Castlepoint Fun Run held at Bournemouth’s Littledown Centre were delighted with the success of the event that fundraises for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The sun shone as over 300 participants entered the 6 races watched by enthusiastic spectators.

Local schools entered teams and individuals for the one mile races. Elliot Wright from Winchester AC won the 8-9 year old race with a time of 6:18. Molly Pike was first girl with a time of 6:29.

The 10–11 year was won by Shuei Belcher from St Peters School (5:49) and Lewis Golden from Tynham School won the 12-13 year race with a time of 05:35. Fastest girl was Ella Sykes (06:17).

The 14-15 years 1.5 mile race was won by Bournemouth AC member Declan Toth (7:56). First girl was Chloe Morris from Queen Elizabeth School with a time of 10:00.

The 5k Men’s winner was John Towner from Poole Runners (17:32) second was Carl Fountain (18:16) very closely followed by Jud Kirk (18:17). The first 5k woman across the finish was Lynn Hutchings (21:10), second Amy Digweed (24:20) and third Victoria Blackburn (28:24).

Other runners in the 5k race included a team from the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Fundraising team members Tracy Bartram and Annette Plaistow-Trapaud were joined by aircrew paramedic Simon Trenchard who ran the course in his flight suit. Peter Matthews, General Manager of Castlepoint, finished with a time of 29:32.

Local marathon runner, double Olympian and Commonwealth medallist Liz Yelling led the warm up exercises and was the starter for each race, including the half mile under 8s and family race won by Nathan Laird from Courthill school (3:39).

After the trophy presentation Liz Yelling said, “The event has been both exciting and fun. It’s been fantastic to see so many people of all ages taking to the track with a very varied level of determination. But everyone who started in a race made it to the finish and should be proud of their personal achievement.”

Peter Matthews says that it is to early to tell how much the event raised for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, “We would anticipate that we will beat last year’s total of £1500. I’m pleased so many people took the time on a Sunday morning to participate, and the large number of spectators did an excellent job of encouraging their family and friends who took to the track.”