The first ever Vitality Big Half was held this year on March 4^th. For The Running Charity, it was a perfect opportunity for us to gather together everyone connected with the organisation. As well generous fundraisers, we were also able to get partner organisations, volunteers, staff, graduates and most importantly young people, to test themselves in a proper organised race. The combination of a Half Marathon and a Relay race meant we could include runners at all levels of abilities. We had excellent support from our partners at the Red Cross Refugee Support Team and Evolve Housing + Support, who both participated in the relay and supported their young people who were taking part.

We had a nervous time in the days leading up to the race – the heavy snow and freezing temperatures meant we couldn’t get any training runs organised and it wasn’t until the day before that the race organisers could confirm the run would definitely happen! A 9am race start meant we asked everyone to gather for 7:30. It was heartening to see our young people getting up at 6am to make sure they were there on time.

Having 15 of our young people there and running on the day was a fantastic feeling. It was heartening to have so much support from our volunteers, partners and assorted well-wishers. It felt like a real Running Charity family event. Lets do it again next year!

If you would like to support more young people  to get back on their feet, please consider donating to The Running Charity

simply text IRUN42 plus the amount you wish to donate to 70070

for e.g. “IRUN42 £4” to 70070

or to volunteer, email ‘info@therunningcharity.org’