Determined runners deliver on funds at Great Manchester Run

Manchester city centre was once again the setting for a spectacular festival of running as tens of thousands of competitors took part in the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run 2023.

This year was the 20th staging of the event, and memorable for Mo Farah competing in the penultimate race of his career. Athletes of all ages and abilities crossed the finish line for the Half Marathon and 10k races including 110 supporters of Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Raising more than £20,000 between them there was much to celebrate at Francis House.

Dale Rogers and Daniel Quarmby had personal reasons for running for the hospice. Beginners Dale and Dan had never ran a 10k before and finished in an impressive time of one hour raising £1,105.

Dan said: “We wanted to raise money for this great charity following the death of Dale’s cousin. Our best friend also has a daughter who goes to Francis House and we can see how much Francis House is part of their lives.

“The experience was great, we loved it and felt a real sense of achievement. The atmosphere was amazing, the music was great and everyone was having a good time. I would recommend it to anyone.”

Among the teams who took part were employees of Siemens, GMI Construction Group, teachers from Hazel Grove High School, respiratory NHS professionals at Oldham Care Organisation and staff from Neuven Group.

Caleb Mathomes and Josh Ireton from Neuven raised £235 despite only signing up to run at the last minute. Caleb said: “It was a great day with tons of good vibes and lots of people cheering you on. There were bands playing and the weather was perfect.”

Josh added: “The 10k was hard work but a great day and worth it for such a good cause. Thanks to the Francis House team for cheering us on.”

Unable to compete on the day due to a chest infection was Dr Elizabeth Eales a GP at Middlewood Partnership in Poynton and a Hospice Doctor at Francis House.

With the Wilmslow 10k under her belt from earlier in the year, Dr Eales was looking forward to the race day having put in the miles with early morning practice runs.

She said: “I was so disappointed to have to pull out of the race. The atmosphere during a big run is amazing, so uplifting and a lot of fun. Like a lot of people, I only started running during lockdown in 2020.

“As you can imagine, work was very stressful and challenging and the opportunity to get some exercise but also some much needed ‘headspace’ was what attracted me to it. I started by doing the NHS ‘Couch to 5K’. I’d recommended this to so many patients I’d seen as a GP who needed help and support with weight loss and exercise but never actually done it myself so I thought it would be a good way to start.

“Not only is running great exercise but it also helps me mentally and as a stress-relief when the weeks are busy. After doing the Couch to 5K a couple of times I then fancied more of a challenge so started training towards a 10k.”

Having already raised more than £700 in sponsorship, disappointed but undeterred, Elizabeth ran her own 10k around her home in Poynton the following weekend.

Elizabeth said: “Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive. It has been overwhelming how generous people have been. I managed to complete my 10k in a finish time of 1hr 14 minutes which I’m really pleased about considering I’d had a few weeks out of running due to being unwell.

“My daughters even made a special finishing line on the driveway. Not quite the Manchester 10k but it was still good fun. Remembering everyone’s encouragement and generosity for the Hospice made me determined to finish.

“It is an absolute privilege to work at Francis House as one of the doctors and I’m always moved and inspired by the wonderful care they give to each and every child and young person, and their families.”

Julie Williams, fundraising officer at Francis House said: “We would like to thank all 87 runners who took part in the 10k and the 23 half marathoners. It was a hot and sunny day and we really appreciated all the hard work and preparation for the race that so many had committed to.

If you would like to run in aid of Francis House in the 2024 race on Sunday 26th May 2024, please contact the fundraising office on 0161 443 2200 or email fundraising@francishouse.org.uk.