DOZENS of runners from York will be taking part in their first half-marathon tomorrow to raise funds for Action Medical Research – accompanied by Paddington Bear.
About 40 “novices” and another 30 more experienced runners will be competing in the Great North Run for the medical research charity.
They will be joined by the charity’s mascot, Paddington, with Knavesmire Harriers runner Martin Medler donning the furry costume this year, said Frank Holden, chairman of AMR’s York branch.
He said another York man, Mark Sullivan, had run as Paddington for many years but was currently injured.
He said that every year people who had never taken part in a half-marathon but wanted to do so joined up with the charity which, with help from Knavesmire Harriers, put them in training from April onwards to get them fit and ready to take part in the race.
The runners would raise thousands of pounds for the charity, which had over the years funded research resulting in major medical advances including the use of folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of spina bifida, and was now funding research into premature births.
Meanwhile, a man who underwent successful heart surgery will say thank you by competing in the run.
Dean Fielding, 43,of Crayke, near Easingwold, is raising money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help the charity beat heart and circulatory disease – the UK’s biggest killer.
He said: “I decided to take part because I had an aorta root and valve replacement. I was fit and healthy right up until the operation.
“This is my opportunity to say thank you to all who have supported me through my operation and recovery, and also a chance for me to prove to myself that despite the traumas of surgery I can still be fit and healthy.”
Nancy Prior, head of national events at the BHF, said she wanted to say a “huge thank you” to Dean for joining the team at the Run.
“The more people who use their place to raise money for the BHF the more funds we can invest in our life-saving research. With your help we can beat heart disease together.”
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