8:23am Thursday 30th July 2009
By Jennifer Bell
THIS year’s first York 10K will be the poignant stage for a memorial to an inspirational cancer sufferer whose life was tragically cut short by the disease.
Rebecca Lamb will be helping raise money for St Gemma’s Hospice, in Leeds, in memory of her sister, Rachael, from Malton, who died from cancer three-and-a-half years ago.
Rebecca, 35, said: “Rachael was well known in Malton as a dancer in Kirkham Henry School and later worked on cruise ships before becoming a personal trainer.”
Rebecca, who said she “really hates running”, has been busy training for the event with her partner, Andrew Steele, and Rachael’s widower, James Bower, who are also taking part.
Rebecca said: “We are determined to not only complete the run, but to raise about £1,000 for the hospice in Rachael’s memory.”
Donations can be given by logging on to www.justgiving.comrun4rachael.
About 5,000 runners will gather in York on Sunday for the inaugural Jane Tomlinson’s York 10K. The course starts and finishes at Knavesmire. Jane’s husband, Mike, said: “Sunday is going to be fantastic with a real carnival atmosphere. Rain or shine we hope that the people of York will be out in force to cheer on the runners.”
The event starts at 9am. There will be a number of road closures in and around the city centren at staggered times, with closures in place from 6.30am for inbound traffic and from 8.30am for outbound traffic.
Mike said: “The race can’t take place without some road closures, but we have had fantastic support from the city of York in the build up and, hopefully, that will extend to any inconvenience caused on the day.
“We are really looking forward to what will no doubt be a very special and memorable day and one which will raise a lot of money for charity.”
Knavesmire Road and Racecourse Road will be closed until late afternoon.
Other roads will be progressively reopened between 10.15am through to 11.15am depending on the time when the last competitor passes.
Residents on Butcher Terrace and Knavesmire Road are also advised that parking restrictions will be in operation in those areas from Saturday to Sunday.
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