Anyone inspired by coverage of this year’s London Marathon can go along to support runners in an annual town race this May.
The ‘Round the Town’ Woodbridge 10k road race returns at midday on Sunday, May 14.
The event – supported by a Junior Fun Run at 12.05pm – this year proved as popular as ever, with all 10k places filled in 35 minutes of online entry opening. Within 15 minutes, 558 spaces had been sold, while the Junior Race reached its quota that afternoon.
Race organisers, Woodbridge Shufflers Running Club, promise the usual mix of athletes out to beat personal best times, along with first-time 10k runners.
A total of 22 running clubs have entered, with clubs like Felixstowe Road Runners, Ipswich Jaffa and Framlingham Flyers making for a strong local presence. With none of last year’s winners entering, a new title holder will be crowned.
Since its inauguration 37 years ago, the race has raised more than £80,000 for local charitable groups.
This year’s donations will be particularly poignant – with funds going to charities chosen by the husband and children of former Woodbridge Shuffler Andrea McNally, who died in January.
John McNally’s chosen charities are Riding for the Disabled (based in Hollesley), St Elizabeth Hospice and Breast Cancer Now.
Carina Sewell, safeguarding officer for the club, said: “Andrea was a great sportswoman; playing cricket, tennis and golf – among other sports – for many years.
“A natural runner, she joined Ipswich Harriers and then the Shufflers. When she found it difficult to run, Andrea would help at the 10k, tirelessly giving her time and sharing her enthusiasm for running.
“Andrea will be greatly missed but we take some comfort knowing that her memory lives on in the race, and the sport that she loved so much.”
A record 23 businesses will support the event and compete for the ‘Unaffiliated Team’ prize.
This year, 44 club members are involved in the volunteer-run event, managed by race director Jennifer Evans, who has been at the helm for the last three years and will hand the baton to club secretary, Paul Wright, for 2018.
She said: “We’re a small club with a big race, and all credit to our volunteers that we put on a great show year after year. That said, we’re working hard take on feedback to ensure that as many people as possible get a chance to experience the magic of the 10k.”
There will be some disruption to traffic on race day between 11.45am and 1.15pm. All details, including planned road closures, will be made available at woodbridgeshufflers.org.uk/our-races/woodbridge-10k in advance of the race.
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