One day, two great races as Hull gets set for a festival of running
A new half marathon is to be held in Hull next summer on the same day as the city’s popular Asda Foundation 10K. Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All is to stage the Asda Foundation Hull Half Marathon on Sunday, June 10th when the Asda Foundation Hull 10K – now in its ninth year - also takes place.
Both events will include a corporate challenge, a race-within-a-race in which companies, organisations and groups of friends compete to lift the title of fastest team in the event. Entries for the Hull Half Marathon and Hull 10K are now open at runforall.com.
The new half marathon will feature a city centre start and finish and a largely flat course offering great personal best potential.
The half marathon route starts and finishes in the same place as the 10K, in Alfred Gelder Street. It takes in the waterfront and marina and then travels north of the city, along Princes Avenue, skirting Pearson Park, Newland Avenue and Cottingham Road.
It then travels on to the campus of the University of Hull, past the Brynmor Jones Library and the office of former librarian and celebrated poet Philip Larkin’s office, before returning into the city centre for the grand finish.
Since its launch in 2010, the Asda Foundation Hull 10K has grown into one of the region’s most popular 10Ks, attracting thousands of runners and raising a huge sum for good causes.
Run For All is confident the addition of a half marathon will build on the event, creating a festival of running that offers entrants a greater choice of events.
Tristan Batley-Kyle, course director at Run For All, said: ‘Whether people opt for the 10K, the half marathon or the corporate challenge, it promises to be a great day for runners of all abilities.
‘We already organise two events on one day – the Yorkshire Marathon and the Yorkshire 10 Mile which take place in October – and it’s an offer that has proved very successful. Many runners tell us they want new challenges and that is what we want to deliver.’
Mandy Rivett, co-ordinator at the Asda Foundation, headline supporter of all Run For All events, said: ‘We are delighted to support this new half marathon. There is always a great atmosphere on the day of the Hull 10K and the addition of another event will make it even more special for runners and spectators alike.’
The charities
Runners can choose to run for fun, for a personal challenge or to support a charity of their choice. They are especially encouraged to raise funds for one of the event’s partner charities, which in 2018 are: Child Dynamix, Disability Sports Humber, Macmillan Cancer Support, Dove House Hospice, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Hull Homeless Community Project, Special Stars Foundation and Jerry Green Dog Rescue.
Jenny Sellers, fundraising assistant with the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, said they were excited that Run For All has been able to bring a half marathon to Hull. ‘We’re really fortunate to have lots of runners support us by taking on the 10K and this will give fundraisers old and new the chance to try a great new challenge. If you’d like to take on a new half marathon and support children’s and cancer charities across Hull and Yorkshire, then we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing jenny@janetomlinsonappeal.com.’
Collette Watson, a trustee of Special Stars Foundation, said: ‘Special Stars Foundation is delighted to be a charity partner for the third year running. The funds our wonderful runners and generous supporters have donated over those years have made an immense difference to the lives of local disabled people, by allowing us to widen the calendar of accessible and inclusive events we can offer.
‘We are really excited about the launch of the Hull Half Marathon alongside the Hull 10k and can’t wait to share this news with all our members and supporters. If you would like to find out more about our work or join our running team, get in touch with us by emailing us at info@heyspecialstars.co.uk or call us on 01482 227657.’
Dan Clipson, community fundraising coordinator at Dove House Hospice, said last year’s event raised over £15,000 for the hospice and with the addition of the Hull Half Marathon he hoped supporters would take on the new challenge and cross the finish line in aid of the hospice.
‘Around 1,400 people are diagnosed with cancer in Hull every year,’ said Kathryn Cheshire, Macmillan Cancer Support challenge events team manager. ‘Macmillan can only continue its life changing work because of generous supporters who give up their time to train and fundraise for amazing events like the Hull 10k and new half marathon.
‘We are hoping to raise over £300,000 through the Run for All series next year which will make a huge difference to people living with cancer in the UK.’
Daryl Jones, of Disability Sports Humber, said: ‘Disability Sports Humber supports hundreds of local disabled people to access sport. We are very excited to launch our close relationship with Run For All. Our runners will be doing sport so disabled people can access the magic of sport.’
Jane Stafford, from Child Dynamix, said: ‘We are very excited to be a charity partner for the debut of the Hull Half Marathon and for the Hull 10k in 2018.’
Andrew Smith, founder and CEO of Hull Homeless, added: ‘Being an official partner charity is a fantastic opportunity for us at Hull Homeless, as a small independent charity we work hard to ensure that we make the best use of exposure and the chance to raise as much awareness of homelessness as possible.
‘Being able to play such an active part in sport is vital for many people recovering form crisis and also for people who want to raise money for charity at the same time as achieving a personal goal like completing such a wonderful sporting event. We are proud and excited to be taking part again in 2018.’
Entries for the both the half marathon and Hull 10K are now open at runforall.com
About Run For All
Run For All is part of Jane Tomlinson’s lasting legacy. Jane Tomlinson CBE raised £1.85million for children’s and cancer charities before her death from cancer aged just 43 in 2007.
She made headlines across the world by competing in a series of epic endurance challenges from the London Marathon, ironman and triathlon competitions, to a 4,200-mile cycle ride across the width of the USA – despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.
Her family continues to raise funds in her name and to date £10million has been raised. As well as its popular 10K Series, Run For All also organises half marathons in Leeds and Sheffield and the Yorkshire Marathon in York.
The pain game
Twenty-two per cent of people in Yorkshire admit to getting injured ‘several’ times during challenges, while nearly a quarter of those in the region have injured themselves multiple times preparing for the contest, according to a Bupa health care company survey.
‘I regularly see patients in our clinic who suffer from things like knee pain and tennis elbow. Often, our patients leave it quite late to see us, or their GP,’ says Louise Walker, centre manager at Bupa Leeds Health Clinic.
‘Here in Leeds, we have plenty of fabulous events that are not only great fun but also a great way of getting active, staying fit and enjoying what the location has to offer – from the beautiful Yorkshire Dales to the World Triathlon. However, it’s important to remember that minor injuries can become much more of an issue if they are left, particularly as you get older.
‘Listen to your body and what the pain is telling you and rest if necessary – just a few days of down-time can make a huge difference. If the problem continues then definitely go and see a medical professional. If you’re going to take on a personal fitness challenge then it’s important to enjoy it, pain free!’
Bupa Health Clinics physiotherapist Carrie Mattinson, shares advice on how to stay pain free
Take a holistic approach:
Endurance challenges like long runs or ‘Tough-Mudder’ style events are not just about being able to run for a long time or scramble under and over obstacles. To prepare physically, make sure you do strengthening exercises ahead of the event which target specific muscle groups and protect vulnerable areas like knees, hips and backs. Speak to your physiotherapist about the best routine and exercises for you.
Listen to your body:
Minor injuries generally repair themselves quickly, but if you continue to push through pain, the injury could increase in severity and take a lot longer to heal, with the worst-case scenario being surgery. If pain persists for longer than two days see a GP or physiotherapist straight away – the quicker you get professional health advice, the quicker you can focus on training again.
Give yourself a once over:
If you’re thinking of taking up a focused fitness regime or training for a challenge, book yourself in for a health assessment so you’re aware of the potential weak points and have professional advice on how to prevent injury. A Bupa health assessment also includes two follow up calls from one of our health coaches which will help you stick to your goals and ensure you’re listening, and responding, to any niggles your body may have.
