January 27, 2015 10.11 am This story is over 110 months old

Running Imp CEO to become Honorary Freeman of Lincoln

Charity work honoured: Chis Illsley from Running Imp will become an Honorary Freeman of the City of Lincoln.

Running Imp founder Chris Illsley completing his 2013th mile for St Barnabas Hospice Lincolnshire. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Chis Illsley, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Lincoln-based Running Imp, will become an Honorary Freeman of the City of Lincoln.

Honorary Freeman are usually persons deemed to have brought credit to the city or have performed beneficial services to the Freemen.

The company, which was founded in 1988, has established itself a leading running event supplier serving events from the London Marathon to Race For Life.

The firm has been involved in fundraising projects for years, including the Running Imp Charity of the Year which sees 1p of every sports medal sold, generating over £60,000 since 2009.

Running Imp has also been involved with the Lincoln Santa Fun Run & Walk, helping raise over £350,000 since 2006 for local charities.

As a former marathon runner, Illsley also takes part in personal charity projects such as his Walk 2013 Miles for 2013 campaign, which raised £5,000 for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.

He will be inaugurated into the Freeman’s Association at a ceremony at the Lincoln Guildhall on Saturday, April 11.

Freemen have been invested into Lincoln since 1835, and the honour was often awarded to people born to a Freeman or through servitude to a Freeman.