Run Cheltenham on Sunday 1 September saw athletes of all abilities taking part in a Half Marathon, 10K or Community Mile.
Ten colleagues and I were amongst the thousands of runners who donned their trainers and pounded the roads in and around Cheltenham raising money for charity by taking part in Run Cheltenham.
The suggestion was made at the end of 2024 when some of the more adventurous amongst our staff thought it would be a great way to raise funds for Teckels our Corporate charity. Eight of us signed up for the Half Marathon but personally I agreed to attempt the10K along with a couple of others. I’m not a runner, having never run any distance or competitive race before, but thought it was time to stop saying I can’t, but maybe with some training I can!
We were mixed abilities, some having run before, some having never ever run, with varying levels of preparation needed beforehand, but we all agreed although not the easiest thing we have done it was rewarding to see that finish line and know that we had completed the challenge.
The weather was not as kind to us as expected as the anticipated showery clouds parted and quite a hot sun made the run a little more challenging than expected and the course elevation did take its toll on many of us. However, we all achieved what we set out to, whether the Half or the 10k and raised an unbelievable £1110 for Teckels.
Teckels is a small independent charity based on the Bristol Road in Whitminster, Gloucestershire. The rescue and rehoming centre cares for and rehabilitates homeless cats and dogs and finds them forever homes.
Congratulations to Rob, Will, Shaun, Ben, Andy, Ethan, Harvey and Harry for completing the Half and to Adam and Keiran who completed the 10K alongside myself!
Would I do it again? I don’t think so, but as they say about childbirth, ‘you don’t think about the second child after just having the first’!
