Super Sun-Day for Blenheim 7k Run Day

In scorching sun runners tackled the beautiful but challenging hills of the Blenheim Palace grounds at the Blenheim7k fun run on Sunday 8 May. It was particularly tough for the team from the Spinal Injuries Association who took part in wheelchairs around the 4 mile course to highlight spinal cordy injury awareness day on 20 May.

SIA Team Awesome have been training in Milton Keynes every other day after signing up for the event two months ago.  The team of eight staff members and volunteers were joined by 22 other participants taking part for the Spinal Injuries Association and a number of family and friends who cheered them round the course. So far the thirty strong SIA Team Awesome have raised well over £2000 for the Spinal Injuries Association.

Anthony Stephenson got round in his wheelchair in 57:06 minutes to win that category and the buggy race was won by Sam Cruikshank from Middle Barton, who finished in 28.30 minutes.

A team of charity supporters ran, wheeled and walked through the grounds of Blenheim Palace on Sunday 8 May in support of Milton Keynes based, Spinal Injuries Association.

Organisers of the event commented "The Spinal Injuries Association's team were truly awesome, many of them were wheeling around the full four-mile route, hills, heat and all."

Elizabeth Wright, Individual Fundraising Manager for the Spinal Injuries Association said of the day "Our team at Blenheim Palace did an amazing job on Sunday and we're really proud of them. Not only did they complete the course in just over two hours in such hot weather but they've also exceeded their fundraising target too! This money will help the Spinal Injuries Association provide vital services to spinal cord injured people and their families as they rebuild their lives."

Find out more about how the Spinal Injuries Association supports everyone affected by spinal cord injury atwww.spinal.co.ukand see how the team's fundraising efforts are going athttps://www.justgiving.com/teams/SIATeamAwesome

The main 7k event was won by Matthew Sims in 27.25 minutes, and Joanna Roe from Bampton, the first woman finisher and winner of the over 45 female trophy in 32.19 minutes. Alesha Pitts and Thomas Kent won the under 15 categories, Nicola Stapleton over 35 female, Simon Pritchard over 40, Joanne Roe, over 45, Steven Bright, over 50, and Glyn Pritchard over 60.

A group of 17 came from the RIOT Club in West Oxfordshire. Marina Dunkley said "We had a ball"

The team category was won by Lower Windrush Tri Club.

Headington roadrunner Andrew Smith, said: "Was a fantastic event as always! Bloomin' hot but really enjoyed it! Thanks for putting on such a great event!"

1 mile for under 15s was won by Archie Routledge and Sasha Palfreyman in the boy and girl categories respectively, Archie completed the course in 5,01 minutes and Sasha in 5.17 minutes.

They were followed by Angus Routledge and Ava Morley in the under 12s, and Jenson Smith and Amelia Furlong Price in the under 9 categories for boys and girls.

105 runners committed to fundraising for Sobell House in its 40^thyear. The three Price siblings, Will, Martha and Anna from Cassington ran the 1 mile race in support of Sobell House, and have already raised £347.

Kevin Game, Sobell Houses fundraiser who was at the run supporting the team, as well as his daughter in the junior run, said: "The Blenheim 7k is a fantastic community event, and we've been proud to have teams representing Sobell over the last few years.

"This is our 40^thanniversary of caring for people throughout the county affected by terminal illness and it's really important to us to have this sort of involvement with our local events, and would like the opportunity to thank the Blenheim 7k for their support.

It was great to see so many Sobell House t-shirts on the day and hope to see more athletes in our colours over the coming year."

The three races were all started by Sarah Foster, Managing Partner at Henmans Freeth, who presented the prizes.She said:"As Oxford's leading law firm, it is obviously important for us to be involved with the community we serve.   It was therefore a real pleasure for us to be able to sponsor the Blenheim 7k run again this year, particularly given the firm's ties to Woodstock.  Well done to all participants who finished any of the three races in tough conditions on such an unexpectedly hot day in May".    

The Blenheim7k is sponsored by Henmans Freeth and the Bosworth Clinic.

Ends

For further information and photographs, please contact Sarah Airey, 07855 086447 or emailsarah.airey@thebuzzworks.co.uk

Photographs by Kirsty Edmonds

The Riot Club

Matthew Sims winner of the 7k presented with is trophy by Sarah Foster, Managing Partner Henmans Freeth

Cecily Smith (1022), Coco Smith (1137), Ruby Smith (1136), Emmy Smith (1021) and Freddie Smith (1020)

Sarah Duffy and buggy compete in the 4 mile event for Team Henmans Freeth