Runners will take to their heels for hospice

This year’s event promises to be bigger than ever before as the organisers have introduced the new shorter race to take place alongside the half marathon.

The new race and the traditional event will both take place on Sunday, September 25, with the half marathon starting at 10am and the 10km at 10.20am.

Both will start at the same place and the finish will be beside the Green in Sandhill Road. The 10km race which will be open to anyone over the age of 16 and like the half marathon will take place on closed roads and will follow part of the same route.

There will be an additional section of the 10km route that will take place in the grounds of Christ’s Hospital School.

Since the half marathon began in 1982, the unique village event has raised a huge amount of money for charity.

Last year almost 1,500 runners registered for the race which follows a route through the lanes of Barns Green, Itchingfield, Christ’s Hospital and close to Southwater through some of the most scenic countryside in West Sussex.

Almost £10,000 was raised by the 2015 race and all this money has been distributed to various charities as well as groups, youth and sports clubs in and around the village who helped with the staging of the race.

This year’s charity St Catherine’s Hospice is dedicated to providing specialised end of life care and support to local people, their families, friends and carers.

For over 30 years it has been providing high quality hospice care, free of charge, to people living in Crawley, Horsham, Mid Sussex and East Surrey.

Race director Vernon Jennings said: “We are delighted to have St Catherine’s Hospice as our official charity this year as it provides a unique and essential service for our region.

“Each year the charity needs to raise £6m in voluntary income to ensure it can keep providing vital services to those who need them.

“We hope that everyone who takes part in this year’s race or comes along to cheer on the runners will support the vital work that they do”.

There will be the usual medals and prizes for the 10km race and the entrance fee will be £15 for affiliated runners and £17 for unaffiliated.

For further details on how to take part in the race just visit the Barns Green Half Marathon website; barnsgreen-half.org.uk

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