5 AMAZING PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART
We’re bursting with pride for all the amazing participants who took part in the Manchester Half yesterday. Whether they were gunning for a PB or soaking in the atmosphere, everyone came together to make this an unforgettable experience.
And let’s not forget those who went the extra mile for a cause they believe in. We’re chuffed to spotlight some truly inspiring individuals who participated for more than just a medal on Sunday… Let’s see who they are!
1. JOSH MCCARTHY
One participant who caught the crowd’s attention was Josh Mccarthy, who took on his first half marathon wearing full firegear, weighing over 25 kilos! The Ramsbottom-born firefighter donned the kit to raise money for The Rick Casey Trust, which supports research into a rare form of cancer a fellow firefighter from Oldham suffered from. Josh trained in a weighted vest and said that the event has something like he’d never experienced:
“Every minute I was running people were cheering me on. I think I had over a thousand comments overall – all encouraging – and it was a memorable day at my first half marathon which I took on for an important cause”.
2. FAYE LINDFIELD
In June, we spotlighted Faye’s incredible undertaking of training for her first ever half marathon, which followed 8 months of treatment for Multifocal Primary Breast Cancer. You can read the article here.
Faye completed her first ever half marathon at the MCR Half, having raised nearly £3,000 for The Christie charity. Faye said the following following her emotional achievement:
“Jack and I had the absolute best time running the Manchester half today. The atmosphere was amazing and the crowds were awesome! We’re so incredibly grateful to all our sponsors for their kind donations and are so proud to have completed this challenge and raised so much for The Christie!”
3. BEN BRINDLEY (WHEELBARROW MAN!)
Construction worker Ben Brindley raised the roof at the event, as he completed the challenge pushing a wheelbarrow to raise awareness of mental health in construction and The Lighthouse Construction charity.
Ben gave a final push (literally) over the finish line in a time of 01:29:25 and said the following about his experience:
“I was in full rockstar mode yesterday, with the help of the amazing crowds who helped me to a PB of nearly 6 minutes! I hadn’t trained with the barrow since July, so it was tough at times and I had to grit my teeth but I got through it.”
Well done Ben!
4. THE SLATEM FAMILY
After their son Noah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December last year, Shay and Liam Slatem took on the event to raise money for Cancer Research UK. After seeing her family on the route and receiving a hug from Noah, Shay said the following at the finish line:
“The crowd and atmosphere at the Manchester Half were absolutely incredible! We were cheered on every step of the way and seeing our son and family along the course gave us the boost of energy we needed to keep going. We also couldn’t be prouder of Uncle Richard, who completed 5 half marathons in 5 days, finishing with the Manchester Half, to raise funds for Noah’s oncology ward through @runfornoah”.
You can read the Slatem family’s full story here.
5. THE CHRISTIE CONSULTANT SURGEONS
Nine surgeons from The Christie Hospital swapped their scrubs for running shoes yesterday, to raise funds for the local cancer charity. The team raised vital funds for The Christie Charity, supporting patients and their families through their cancer journeys.
Having completed the challenge and reuniting with his colleagues in the Event Village, event spokesperson Aziz Gulamhusein said the following on behalf of the team:
“Everyone on the team enjoyed the event from the start to finish. There was a mix of abilities, with many doing their first ever half marathon, so a mixture of emotions at the start line but once we got going the crowds carried us through. Overall, a great event and incredible atmosphere, and it supports the work of the important charity we work for”.
Well done all and we hope you’ve had an epic time celebrating for achievements!