The countdown is on for the return of the hugely popular Hull 10k, which will be staged on the city streets on Sunday 9 June.
The event, which will feature thousands of runners of all ages and abilities, is established as the leading 10K in the region and will see substantial sums raised for charity by participants.
Organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, the UK’s largest not-for-profit events company, in partnership with Hull City Council, the 10K, which is known for its fast and flat course, will start at 9:30am on Gelder Street.
The route takes in several of the city’s most popular and iconic landmarks, including the Humber Dock Marina, the award-winning Deep aquarium and Hull Minster.
After participants have experienced that all-important finish line feeling, they’ll be able to reflect on their achievements in the Event Village located on the forecourt of Hull College.
Sitting alongside the main event of the day will be the MKM Hull 10K Corporate Challenge.
Teams of four or more will work collectively to cross the line in the quickest combined time to be crowned Corporate Challenge Champions.
Enticing teams of all sizes, backgrounds and abilities, the Corporate Challenge adds friendly competition and enhances overall wellbeing within organisations, while encouraging team members to embrace a more active and healthier lifestyle.
Set to be more than just a day of running, this year’s Hull 10K and Corporate Challenge will highlight the incredible communities in and around the city, from running clubs, volunteers and schools, with all areas of the city showing their support.
The city of Hull enjoys a reputation for being so welcoming, and participants can expect a great atmosphere and enthusiastic crowd support as they tackle their 10K challenge.
Providing a fundraising vehicle for charities is the primary objective of every Run For All event, ensuring that the money being raised by competitors stays local and supports the causes that need it most.
Participants have been encouraged to fundraise for a chosen charity or for one of the event’s partner charities: Special Stars Foundation, Aim Higher, Hull 4 Heroes, AraFest, Hull Women’s Aid, Age UK Hull, Dove House Hospice, Tigers Trust, Hull FC Foundation and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
Joanne is one of the many inspirational runners raising money for charity taking on the 10K challenge, having signed up in support of her husband’s cousin, Daniel Wilkinson, and to raise funds for the foundation set up in his memory.
Joanne said: “Daniel Wilkinson is my husband’s cousin. Following his death playing semi-professional football for Shaw Lane in 2016 from the underlying heart condition Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), Daniel’s parents decided to set up a charity to raise money to provide portable defibrillators for grassroots sports and raise awareness of the condition which is hard to diagnose.
“To date, the charity has given over fifty portable AEDs to grassroots sports clubs across the country. The charity has also branched out with the help of the CRY charity into running heart screenings for the 15-35 age group to detect the signs of ARVC – our next one is in August. I have signed up to the 10K to take me out of my comfort zone and to raise money for the foundation.”
Tristan Batley-Kyle, Operations Director at Run For All, said: “We look forward to welcoming runners of all abilities and ages to the start line next weekend.
“Whether participants are running for a charity close to their heart or for their own personal challenge, we hope everyone taking part has a memorable and enjoyable experience.”
The event is supported by Hull City Council, MKM, Arla Protein, High 5, Up and Running, Coopah, Shokz, Marathon Photos Live and BBC Radio Humberside.
General entries are still open for all events and potential participants are encouraged to go to www.runforall.com to find out more.