Deluge hits but runners keep running! >>

The weather on the morning of November 1 could not have been worse

But the runners in the CHASE Loseley 10K and 4K Fun Run sponsored by Fitstuff were undeterred.

Strong winds and lashing rain didn’t stop nearly 1,000 people heading for Loseley Park to take part in this popular annual event.

Event organiser Michelle Nippress said: “It was amazing, we thought we would have hundreds of no-shows but we couldn’t believe how many people turned up to take part."

"The weather was really appalling but people had fantastic spirit and as they set off, everyone cheered!”

Losley 10K & 4K event organiser Michelle Nippress with Mike More-Molyneux (c) CHASE childrens charity

The course had become very muddy as the rain poured down during the morning.

Claire Cable from 96.4 Eagle Radio who was running with a group of colleagues said some people actually got stuck in the mud but they just laughed and got on with it.

“We all really enjoyed it – despite the weather,” she said.

The Eagle 96.4 Team at the Loseley Fun Run - (c) CHASE childrens charity

A group of 18 colleagues from PKF Accountants in Guildford all turned up but for them there was extra incentive.

Trust manager Mark Francis had turned the event into an inter-company contest as well, with a small cup for the runner completing the course in the fastest time.

Team from PKF Accountants (c) CHASE childrens charity

There was a large mix of competitors including:

• serious runners,
• company teams, and
• families out for a jog!

The Joshua family from Guildford - Peter and Anne with children Naomi and Lydia (c) CHASE childrens charity

After a warm up led by Fitness First, the 10k and 4K runners headed off and finished under the same banner. Having the two races alongside each other means that if there is a competitive runner in the family, he or she can tackle the 10K which is quite challenging, while other members of the family can run, jog or walk the 4K course.

All runners received a free T-shirt and a medal and after the race there were refreshments on hand and a massage - but most runners, muddy and bedraggled, headed straight home!

The event, in its fourth year is raising funds for CHASE hospice care for children to continue supporting families which children and young people not expected to live to reach adulthood throughout South West London, Surrey and Sussex.

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