Over 880 entrants made their way to the streets of Sawston for the 28th anniversary 2014 Fun Run & Walk.
Entrants came from as far as Winchester and Colchester with the race’s male winner, Sean McKenna from Duxford, coming home in 27mins and the ladies winner Nicky Savill, of Trumpington, in a time of 29mins 44secs.
Sian Webster from Sawston won the ladies 40-54 category for the second consecutive year and Vicki Green, who completed her 27th year, came second in the 55+ category.
Ellie Langworthy, of Saffron Walden, who came second in her category last year, went one better by winning the girls school years 7-11.
The event was held at Sawston Village College on May 11. The conditions were poor – with cold with high winds – but the Rotary Club of Sawston District are hopeful at least their target of £15,000 will be reached, after all sponsorship funds have been collected.
To date over £382,000 has been donated to local charities and organisations.
The whole community played many parts with local aerobics trainer, Marlene Sharpe-Westwood getting the runners warmed up, whilst over 30 members of The Cambridge Building Society undertook numerous supporting roles. The scouts, the air and army cadets, the cricket club, students from Sawston Village College and Sawston Youth Group all played vital roles whilst numerous stalls, a fancy dress competition and other attractions made it a great community event.
The major beneficiaries will be The Arthur Rank Hospice, Granta Special Needs School in Linton, Centre33 Cambridge, and Eddie’s (formerly Cambridgeshire Mencap).
Others to benefit will include Sawston Cinema, Sawston Girls FC, Sawston Cricket Club, Sawston Youth Drama, Sawston First Responders, Little Shelford Sports Pavilion, Duxplay at Duxford, Shelford & Stapleford Scouts and Stapleford Primary School,
And all Year 6 children leaving the seven local primary schools will receive a ‘Dictionary 4 Life’ at the end of the summer term.
Chairman of the organising committee Ian Chamberlain said: “I would like to thank everyone who helped set up the event, those who marshalled and provided water as well as the businesses and those in Sawston who contributed in some way.
“We all braved the weather with a smile and hopefully everyone enjoyed both the run and the new addition of the shorter walk.”
The Rotary club is indebted to the event sponsor The Cambridge Building Society, Jon Culpin and Sawston Village College and sponsors Adams Harrison, Bradshaws, Budgens, Gibbs Denley
Insurance, McDonalds, Morgan Sindall, Scotsdales, the Red Lion, Whittlesford, Vindis Sawston and the Sawston Parish Council as without them the event could not be held.
Next year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 10 2015.
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