Run the Royal Parks Half Marathon with us 9 October 2011

photo by thadz from http://www.sxc.hu/

We have ten places available this year torun the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London this October. Applications willl be accepted for Independent Age Gold Bond Places from March 2011 and successful applicants will be informed by the end of May. We ask runners for a deposit of £50 and to pledge to raise at least £250 for Independent Age. To register interest or to receive a Golden Bond application form, please email events@independentage.org.uk or call Harriet on 020 7605 4288.

If you're after a challenge that's more artistic than athletic, the Royal Parks Foundation have launched a competition to design their official 2011 Royal Parks Half Marathon race shirt.

Details on the competition can be found here: http://www.royalparkshalf.com/runners/running-kit/

The competition closes at noon on Thursday, 10 February 2011, so you'd better (ahem) race to get your entries in.

Sorry, that was terrible. But good luck to you all.

Congratulations to our London Marathon runners

Here are Moira and Michael Penney, wearing their medals-and huge grins-after completing the Virgin London Marathon for Independent Age last Sunday.

We had 9 runners in the London Marathon yesterday and so far between them they have raised over £11,000 with more money coming in!

A big thank you to Philip, Karen, Diana, Eileen and Amanda from Independent Age for coming out to cheer our runners on! The marathon is a real highlight of the fundraising year and their support was greatly appreciated by the runners.

Here are their times:

Kevin Sharkey - 3hrs 36mins
Abby Cockerton - 4hrs 50mins
Bill Maloney - 4hrs 15mins
Pam Gray - 5hrs 28mins
Russell Ings - 4hrs 9mins
Andrew Mark - 4hrs 55mins
Thomas Phillips - 3hrs 51mins
Moira Penney - 5hrs 8mins
Michael Penney - 4hrs 22mins

If you would like to run in a marathon, or take part in another sporting challenge for us, please check our website for details of upcoming events or email Harriet Steele to find out more.

Cheer on our marathon runners this Sunday!

Just to remind you that it is the London Marathon this Sunday 23^rd April. We have 10 runners taking part this year and it would be great if you have some time to come down and show your support. The marathon is always a fun event – so if you can, please join us!

We will be setting up a cheering point on Byward Street near to Tower Hill tube station (Circle / District Line). See links below for map and transport information. The cheer point is near the 23 mile mark and we will expect our runners through from about 12pm – 2pm. There should be someone at the cheer point from 9am to get a good position so feel free to come early to watch the elite runners.

Email harriet.steele@independentage.org.uk if you would like to come along.

Independent Age runners triumph in Newcastle's great north run

Congratulations to Estelle Jackson (left) and Naomi White for completing the BUPA Great North Run on behalf of Independent Age. Estelle is a friend of North East and Cumbria Area Manager Kay White and Naomi is Kay’s daughter. For both, this half marathon was quite an undertaking, as neither has run competitively in such an event before.

Estelle took to her training with enthusiasm and dedication. Juggling the roles of wife and mother with her work in HR for the Home Group in Newcastle, she worked tirelessly in her sponsorship collection and received support from work colleagues, friends and family in the North East, The Midlands and London.

Naomi’s training followed a different pattern, slotting in between studies and exams. Naomi is a student at Dame Allan’s School's Sixth Form in Newcastle. She ran in memory of her grandpa Max Thomas who died in August. Max was a volunteer for Independent Age in the South West at the age of 82!

20^th September, race day, was beautiful and sunny. Rock star Sting fired the gun to start the race and the sea of competitors began their toil to South Shields. It was a day full of emotion, particularly at the finish where the months of training and that great sense of achievement hit home.

“I am so proud of them both, what a true achievement”, said Kay White.

Estelle & Naomi raised a tremendous £515 for Independent Age – well done and a big thank you.