Athletics: Runners get on their marks for 5k Race and Fun Run

Oct 2 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

THIS year’s Hamilton 5k Race and Fun Run is expected to attract a bigger crowd than ever before, but runners still have time to register before Sunday’s event.

A decision taken by the Hamilton Sports Council Executive Committee means that people can register on the Sunday, provided they do so with Race Control at least 30 minutes before the race they wish to compete in.

Applicants should bring either £2 for the Junior race or £7 for the 5k, in the form of a cheque payable to Hamilton Sports Council.

Hamilton Sports Council chairman, councillor Graeme Horne, is confident of a bigger and better event, which will raise funds for the Ciaran Pryce Appeal, in aid of a youngster left seriously injured in an accident while playing school rugby.

He said: “Everything is in place for what we hope will be the most successful ever 5k Race and Fun Run.

“There has been a late rush of entry forms returned so the numbers are looking good.

“There are also large numbers of youngsters between 10-14 taking part in their own 1k event.

“As well as hoping for a bumper number of runners, a measure of the success of this event is how much sponsorship is raised for the selected charity.

“This year all sponsorship monies collected will go to the Ciaran Pryce Appeal. Ironically, the race is being held one day short of a year since Ciaran was seriously injured while playing rugby for Cathkin High School.

“Our hope is that all runners will be able to contribute to the appeal.”

Councillor Horne explained that this year’s course has been altered slightly in order to accommodate more supporters.

He said: “We have changed a number of things to ensure that spectators and supporters can become more involved in cheering their runners around the course and over the finishing line.

“Even if people don’t have a particular runner to support, we would be delighted if they would come down to the Palace Grounds on Sunday morning and give the participants a big cheer as they go round the course.”

The 1k Junior Fun Run starts at 9.30am, while the 5k begins at 10am.

Both races start and finish in the shadow of the Mausoleum.

FLASHBACK: Hamilton runner Robert Gilroy recorded his third successive Hamilton 5k win last August, crossing the line in 15 minutes and 20 seconds and setting a new course record.