MORE THAN 500 people enjoyed the Wythall and Hollywood Fun Run and family day on Sunday with the event being such a success that plans are already afoot for next year’s event.
The sun shone down on the course which offered 5K and 10K options for the runners.
Richard Bayliss, from Bournville Harriers, took the tape in the 5K with a time of 16mins and 37secs. In second was Keelan Hopewell, from Solihull and Small Heath Athletic Club, and Dylan Teasdale, from Birmingham Running Athletics and Triathlon Club (BRAT), was third.
The first woman home in the 5K was Tamara Freeman (Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club) in a time of 18mins and 38 seconds. Becky Timmings (BRAT) was second and Lucy Hellingsworth (Halesowen AC) finished third.
The 10K race winner was Jonathan Carter (BRAT) who completed his run in 32mins, 47secs. Second was Steven Dunsby (BRAT) and Chris McLeod (Solihull and Small Heath Athletic Club) came third.
The first woman in the 10K was Fay Lucas in a time of 42mins and 45secs. In second place was Sara Hewison and Claire Third was third – all three were from Bournville Harriers.
Lisa McNally, Worcestershire County Council’s director of public health, said: “The day was just brilliant – I honestly couldn’t have expected anything better.
“The atmosphere was wonderful. There was a fantastic mix of people who had never completed a race before and regular runners out to get their best time.”
World and Olympic medallist Steve Cram, who runs Events of the North, said: “We have had a phenomenal day here in Wythall Park. The Community Association have been phenomenal.
We tried to create a party atmosphere, which has gone down well.”
He added he was already looking forward to next year’s event.
Adam Kent, runner and organiser, said: “So in true families on track style, five people in my family ran at Wythall and Hollywood 5K and 10K Fun Run.”
He praised the organisation team for ‘a fantastic job’ and added: “It was great to see people of all ages and abilities taking part, especially in the Families on Track.
“It’s important to get people out and about as the physical and mental benefits of exercise are incredible,” he added.
Sue Baxter, the chair of the Wythall Park Trustees, said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant – we have had people taking part who would not normally and we need to make sure this event continues.”
Worcestershire County Council’s public health team funded training of local leisure providers to deliver Couch to 5k programmes for local runners.
More than 20 people graduated from their Couch to 5K programme at Woodrush Sports Centre and ran the race.
Primrose Hospice, the official charity partner, raised more than £1,000 by 24 people running for the cause.
Adam Siviter, Primrose Hospice fundraiser, said the charity was delighted to be the charity partner and with the amount raised.
Visit wythallhollywoodfunrun.org.uk for more on the race and a full list of results.
