Hundreds turn out for annual charity run (From Swindon Advertiser)

Hundreds turn out for annual charity run

10:10pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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ORGANISERS of a charity fun run believe they may have to change its location to cope with its increasing popularity.

More than 700 people aged between four and 74 donned their trainers for the March March Hare, a 5km or 10km fun run or walk, to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer Wiltshire.

Since it started three years ago, the run has started and finished at Greendown School and gone round Lydiard Park, but numbers have grown from 250 at the first event to 720.

Now organisers are looking into running the whole event at Lydiard Park, but will have to consider the extra expense this entails at a meeting in May.

Organiser Mandy Martin admitted it was an enviable position to be in. “We need to really think about what we’re going to do next year,” she said.

“We can’t do it in the school unless we cap the numbers of entrants – it’s a nice dilemma to have.”

Breakthrough Breast Cancer Wiltshire raises funds to support people affected by breast cancer.

Mrs Martin said this year there had been 120 entries on the day and that she had been surprised by the number of men and young children involved in a women’s cancer charity event.

She believed they had topped last year’s fundraising efforts, making between £12,000 and £15,000.

“People were dressed up in Mad March Hare outfits, Batman and Robin, and a clown.

“The nice thing is we’re attracting a bit of everything – serious runners and little children.”