Magical theme marks fun run's 10th year

Birkett Long’s annual Run4Fun is set to cast a spell over runners this year with a magical fancy dress theme – witches and wizards.

The annual charity fun run takes place on Thursday 8 September around the 2.5 mile circuit of Colchester Castle Park, raising money for the Mayor of Colchester’s chosen charities. Entries are now open. 

This year Run4Fun will celebrate is tenth anniversary. Since launching in 2001, Colchester runners have helped to raise more than £65,000 for the Mayor of Colchester’s chosen charities, money which has benefitted good causes such as the Army Benevolent Fund (now The Soliders’ Charity), Essex Air Ambulance and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Jennie Skingsley, marketing manager at organisers Birkett Long solicitors, is keen to get as many people involved as possible. “This is a great way to raise money for a worthy cause and have a good time too. We want to make this year bigger and better than ever and we’d love a bumper turnout to celebrate our tenth birthday. You don’t have to be an Olympic hopeful to take part, just get creative with your costume and complete the route at your own pace.”

Inspired by Harry Potter mania a group of Birkett Long witches and wizards attended Colchester Carnival on 16 July to enchant the crowds and encourage entries for this year’s race. 

Run4Fun is open to everyone, from business teams and school groups, to families and individuals and usually attracts more than 500 entrants each year. Prizes will be given for best fancy dress and fastest times, while all entrants will be entered into a free prize draw to win a hamper full of fantastic goods donated by local companies.

All money raised through sponsorship and the entry fee will go to the Mayor of Colchester’s chosen charities, which this year include Samaritans in Colchester, The Colchester Carers Centre, Phoenix Group Homes, The Essex Community Foundation Fund, The Soldier’s Charity, The Colchester Scout Band, The Hospice and Children's Home in Malaysia.

Money will also be donated to Birkett Long's charity of the year, Christopher John Holmes' Grassroots Fund.

You can follow the Run4Fun on Twitter @BLRun4Fun and on Facebook . Plus there are plenty of videos of previous events on the Birkett Long YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/BirkettLong

For entry forms, visit www.birkettlong.co.uk/run4fun