You can do it - Springhill Hospice calls on Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and fun run entrants

Springhill Hospice will be the official charity for Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run again this year and organisers want the event to smash last year’s fundraising total when it returns on Sunday 6 October.

Julie Halliwell, chief executive of Springhill Hospice said: “Last year over £12,500 was raised for the hospice by runners in this event which was magnificent. The money has made a real difference to local people with a palliative illness and we are hoping that some entrants will consider choosing us as their charity this year. Without our supporters, volunteers and donors we simply would not survive and I am looking forward to cheering everyone on this October. 

“We are proud to be the official charity again and so grateful for the support that we receive from local people. This is a wonderful opportunity to add to our 2019 fundraising efforts.”

The Rochdale-based charity provides care for people with life-limiting illnesses, but running costs are more than £3m per year, with 70% of income needing to come from within the local community through events, charity shops, lottery, legacies and donations.

 

 

Springy, the hospice mascot, will be at the events again to cheer everyone along and will also be taking part in the fun run.

If you’re thinking about raising money for the hospice, or want to support someone who is, contact the fundraising team at the hospice. Email fundraising@springhill.org.uk or phone 01706 641790 (option 1).

All races will start and finish by the grade one listed Rochdale Town Hall, they will be chip-timed on fully-marshalled traffic-free courses, with a technical t-shirt and medal handed out to finishers. 

Since 2015 over 4,500 people have taken part in the event, which sets out on routes taking in town and some of the north west’s most picturesque countryside scenes like Hollingworth Lake. 

The half marathon leaves the town hall along the Esplanade and runs the edge of Broadfield Park, before heading through to Rochdale Canal at Oldham Road Basin. The route then heads past Kingsway Business Park and Smithy Bridge along the canal. Close to the Waterside Restaurant the route leaves the tow path and heads up Hollingworth Road towards Hollingworth Lake, making a clockwise loop of the lake.

It then returns down Hollingworth Road and back on to the canal. The race retraces its outward route from the town hall until it reaches Broadfield Park, where runners will go through the park before re-joining The Esplanade for the final sprint to the finish line.

The 10K follows the same route as the half marathon on to the canal, but leaves the canal at the swing bridge at Kingsway Business Park, making a loop of pleasant cycleways, before returning to the canal and the same finishing route as the half marathon.

The event is organised by Middleton Harriers, Rochdale Harriers and Rochdale Triathlon Club supported by Rochdale Borough Council.

The fun run goes on sale next month.

To enter online or find out more, visit: 

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/half