Fundraisers warm up for 20th Lincoln 10K

Thousands of runners of all abilities will hit the streets of Lincoln this weekend as the City of Lincoln 10K celebrates a landmark anniversary.

Each year, participants take to the Cathedral Quarter in order to raise thousands of pounds for a host of deserving causes.

Some choose to don their most ridiculous costumes for the event, and many choose to run in honour of special person or organisation.

In the lead up to the 20th event, fundraisers got in touch to share their stories and kick off the donations:

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Lincolnshire cancer survivor Lorna Leaston

Lorna Leaston from Louth has bought her first pair of trainers in 30 years following her incredible recovery from cancer.

Lorna was unable to walk after her surgery just over a year ago, however thanks to the support of a Macmillan exercise scheme she’s now about to take part in the Lincoln 10K on April 17.

She will be taking part alongside a group of patients who have also been supported by the scheme as part of the ‘Challenge Macmillan’ campaign. Over the past few weeks Macmillan health professionals Fiona and Aaron who run the scheme in Lincolnshire, have challenged themselves to take part in as many different exercise classes as possible across the county – no matter how weird or obscure – to help raise awareness of the benefits of staying active for people affected by cancer.

If you’d like to help Lorna raise money for Macmillan you can visit her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/lorna-leaston.

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Team Running Knights

Team Running Knights, otherwise known as Kyle, Paul and Clare will be taking to the 10K in two suits of armour and a maiden costume to raise money for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Anyone wishing to sponsor them can visit their JustGiving page here.

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Council officer running for park restoration

City of Lincoln Council’s Assistant Director for Communities and Street Scene, Steve Bird, aims to raise funds for the Boultham Park Restoration Project by running the 10K.

The £3.7 million project to restore the Grade-II, 50-acre park is due to start later this year, and has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund Parks for People Initiative. A Capital Appeal is also underway to raise a further £250,000.

To sponsor Steve go to https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/boulthampark

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Liam ‘The Viking’ Peltell

People can look out for Liam ‘The Viking’ Peltell during the race, who is running for the second year in a row wearing 18kg of chainmail.

He said the run was a “warm up” for when he tackles two marathons in two days at the end of June.

Liam hopes to raise £1,000 for Save the Children and the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

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The official partner charity of the Arena Group Mini and Junior run, which takes place at Yarborough Leisure Centre playing fields on Saturday, April 16, is KIDS Strut, which helps disabled children and their families.

The main race on Sunday, April 17 gets underway at 11am, starting at Riseholme Road and finishing near to Lincoln Cathedral.

A number of roads will be closed during events across the weekend. Click here to see the list of closures.

Are you running in the 20th Lincoln 10K? Post the links to your fundraising pages in the comment section.