More than a thousand runners chased fundraising goals and quick times along a seaside town’s promenade this morning.
The Worthing 10k was back for another year and saw over 1,500 runners race along Marine Parade on what was a sunny but windy day.
The race’s win was clinched by 31-year-old Finn McNally, who also won last year’s event, in a time of 31 minutes and seven seconds.
Cassie Thorp, 34, was the first woman to cross the line in a time of 34 minutes and 40 seconds.
“It was hard,” said Mr McNally.
“I focused on each stage, I ran 1k and then 2k and then 3k and so on.”
Henry Ainsley, the Bearded Runner, took part in the 10k as part of his mission to run 2022 miles this year in aid of suicide prevention and to raise funds for the Jet Singh Trust.
The 50-year-old, who lives in Worthing, was driven to embark on his series of long distance running challenges after he lost his brother, uncle and friend to suicide in the same year.
Mr Ainsley fell into a depression and considered taking his own life before he began running.
Read more: Runner taking on 874-mile challenge to raise awareness around male mental health
Worthing 10k partners, Care For Veterans had 25 runners in this year’s race and the fundraising team was out in force with bear mascot Gifford.
The charity, which has been providing physically disabled ex-service personnel with long-term nursing, respite and end-of-life care in Sussex since 1919, also had veterans they care for take part in the race.
Len Gibbon, a 98-year-old World War II veteran of the Normandy Landings and Steve Boylan, a 46-year-old ex-royal engineer, were pushed in wheelchairs along the race route.
Read more: Veteran, 98, and ex-royal engineer paralysed after crash to take part in run
Mr Boylan served as a warrant officer for over twenty years.
At the age of 39, he was knocked from his motorbike and sustained a severe brain injury, partial paralysis, and speech difficulties.
It is now four years on from his arrival at Care for Veterans, during which time he has made “amazing” improvements, allowing him to enjoy an improved quality of life.
Mr Gibbon arrived at Care for Veterans in 2019 after a couple of falls, which led to him need extra help on a day-to-day basis.
Mr Boylan’s family, as well as people who served alongside him, were there to support him.
“They show up time and time again to make sure he knows they’ve got him always,” said Daniella Churcher, PR and marketing officer for Care for Veterans.
“So it’s quite special.”
Ms Churcher said events like the Worthing 10k are “vital” to ensuring the charity can maintain its services.
“It’s absolutely crucial,” she said.
“It’s vital to raise essential funds to make sure our rehabilitation and respite care services continue.”
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