Hundreds take part in Bradford charity race (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Hundreds take part in Bradford charity race

3:01pm Thursday 19th February 2009 in

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The rain held off - just - as runners young and old gathered to race through the streets of Bradford yesterday.

The skies were the colour of wet concrete, but hundreds of spectators still gathered to cheer on the athletes as they crossed the Epilepsy Action 10 kilometre finish line in Centenary Square yesterday.

The run was organised by the charity with support from Bradford Council, and Bradford City defender Luke O'Brien set the 409 runners on their way.

The course record was set by Willy Smith, 32, who took just 31 minutes and 48 seconds to complete the race.

Willy, who runs for Keighley and Craven Athletics Club, said the course should attract some big names in the future.

He said: "It was brilliant - this stage year after year there will be some big runners come here, it's such a fast course.

"There's a hill to start with, but it's within the first kilometre.

"I wanted to run under 32 minutes and I managed to do that, so I'm pretty chuffed."

Willy, of Brow Top Road, Haworth, also had cause to celebrate as his girlfriend, Helen Glover, came second in the women's race.

The day was a poignant one for Katie Cook, 32, of Eccleshill, who was running in memory of her husband, who died of epilepsy.

An emotional Katie was with her 18-month-old son Joseph at the beginning of the race.

She said: "My husband had been epileptic from being 10 years old and he died in October last year.

"This is my first run ever - I haven't been training too much.

"It is an important day for us - I'm sure I will get through to make him proud."

The Eccleshill Road Runners team was also gearing up for the race before it began.

Sue Birbeck, 42, said she would be pleased to get the race done within the hour.

She said: "We do a race nearly every weekend so its excellent to have one over here on our doorstep."

The run was organised by national charity Epilepsy Action, which has its head office in Yeadon and is the UK's largest member-led epilepsy charity.

The event raised funds for the organisation, which works to improve the quality of life and promote the interests of people living with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is the UK's most common serious neurological condition, affecting an estimated 456,000 people.

Race director Mel Taylor, who is also events fundraising officer for Epilepsy Action, said: "We want to raise lots of money to help people with epilepsy and we also want to raise awareness about our charity. Bradford did not have a 10k race on this scale, and most of the major cities do, so we thought there was a bit of a niche in the market.

"It is such a brilliant event for Epilepsy Action, but it is also a great event to get people into the city centre. The aim for us this year was to get the event established and we want to build on that in future years."

The race's oldest participants were the grand age of 72, while the youngest was just 15 - the youngest age allowed to take part in the race.

City defender Luke O'Brien said he was pleased to be there.

He said: "Its a bit of an early start, but it's got a good atmosphere. I think I would have taken part, but I played yesterday so it wouldn't be the best idea."

The race was supported by Bradford Council and Airedale Athletics.

The Council's B active manager Andrew Burns said: "When the Epilepsy Action group contacted us we thought it was a fantastic event for local residents to get involved in. It is tremendous that we have got so many people running."

The course started and ended in Bradford's Centenary Square, covering a flat route, ideal for runners to record fast times and personal bests, with results being recorded by a chip carried by each runner. To help raise money runners paid £15 for each entry, or £13 if affiliated to a UK athletics club. For more information go to epilepsy.org.uk.