GEAR 10k sees runners cross the finish line in aid of chartiies

​Lynn came alive on Sunday as runners of all abilities and ages came together to take part in the region’s biggest road running event, the Recipharm GEAR 10K.

Crossing the line were fun runners, fundraisers and club runners who had laced up their trainers for what is now very much a firm favourite in the region’s running calendar.

Organised by Run For All in partnership with West Norfolk Council, the race kicked off at 9.30am on Tuesday Market Place and finished outside the Alive Corn Exchange.

Runners at Recipharm GEAR 10k, Lynn
Runners at Recipharm GEAR 10k, Lynn

The course followed a route through South Quay, High Street, Broad Street and past Lynn Library.

Runners then headed along Broad Walk, via Red Mount Chapel and then through London Road, Hardings Way, Wisbech Road, Clenchwarton Road and along the River Great Ouse before reaching the High Street for the final stretch before crossing the finish line.

Some came for a personal challenge, a few hoped to win and others simply aimed to get around the 10K course, but all helped make the event a brilliant success, with thousands of pounds raised for many local and national charities.

Smiles all round for these runners
Smiles all round for these runners

As part of the challenge, runners have been encouraged to fundraise for their own charity of choice or one of the event’s partner charities.

This year’s partner charities included Jane Tomlinson Appeal, the Purfleet Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Dementia Care Appeal, Break and the 8:56 Foundation.

First across the finish line was Andrew Jakeman in a time of 00:31:48. Adrian Mussett took second place in 00:31:48 with Will Chapman in third in 00:33:02.

Lesley Bambridge, mayor of West Norfolk gets set
Lesley Bambridge, mayor of West Norfolk gets set

Emma Jolley was the first woman across the finish line in 00:35:48 followed by Lucy Mapp who clocked 00:36:18 for second place and Amy Beck who took third in 00:37:46.

The Recipharm GEAR 10K Team Challenge also took place, sitting alongside the main event of the day, the team challenge saw teams of all types and sizes battle it out to be crowned team challenge champions.

Rather than competing as individuals, teams worked collectively to cross the line in the quickest combined time and results will be announced in due course.

Finishers with their medals
Finishers with their medals

The Recipharm Mini GEAR also took place with families and friends of all abilities joining together for a morning of sporting and fun, taking part in the 1.9Km mini run.

A great way for parents and children to stay active and healthy together, children were encouraged to fund-raise for the event’s main partner charity, the East Anglia’s Children Hospices (EACH).

EAST support families and care for children and young people with life threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Teams supported the race
Teams supported the race

The hospices offer family-centred, needs-led approach to care, ensuring all of the needs of the children and young people we care for are met – whether psychological, physical, emotional, social or spiritual.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, director of operations at Run For All said: “We want to say a huge well done and thank you to all runners who joined us.

“With the addition of the Team Challenge and Mini GEAR event, it has been a fantastic day of running and fundraising for all those involved.

A runner holds her chicken water bottle
A runner holds her chicken water bottle

“Supporters out on course really added to the community spirit element of the day and we want to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic marshals, volunteers, sponsors and partners who helped to make the event a tremendous experience for all those taking part.

“We are already looking forward to next year’s event and we look forward to welcoming our runners back to the start line.”

Leading global pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company Recipharm, previously known as Bespak Europe Ltd, built on its longstanding support of the event by sponsoring all three events.

A selfie at GEAR
A selfie at GEAR

The naming of Recipharm as the event’s title sponsors follows years of successful sponsorship of the event by the company, and forms a vital part of Recipharm’s wider aims to support the local community, increase participation in sports, as well as promoting good health and wellbeing.

The annual event is supported by West Norfolk Council, Alive, Coopah, Radio West Norfolk, Personal Best Vests, Business Desk, Shokz, Your Local Paper, High 5, Arla Protein and Marathon Photos.

Organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, the Recipharm GEAR 10K forms part of the Run For All series of runs which, along with Lincoln, includes events in Sheffield, Bury, Middlesbrough, Hull, Leeds, York, Derby, Lynn, Ipswich and Leicester.

Diane Boothby, Anwar and Eloise ran the race in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer
Diane Boothby, Anwar and Eloise ran the race in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer

Entries for next year’s Recipharm GEAR 10K are now open and potential participants are encouraged to visit www.runforall.com a limited time only discounted offer.

Lesley Bambridge, mayor of West Norfolk with three medallists
Lesley Bambridge, mayor of West Norfolk with three medallists
Wonder Woman flies round the route
Wonder Woman flies round the route
Lesley Bambridge, mayor of West Norfolk and Simon Rowe, Radio West Norfolk who compered the event
Lesley Bambridge, mayor of West Norfolk and Simon Rowe, Radio West Norfolk who compered the event
Happy faces for these two finishers
Happy faces for these two finishers
Eventeers help marshal the event
Eventeers help marshal the event
A mixture of happiness and relief in completing the distance
A mixture of happiness and relief in completing the distance
Rock Choir performed at The Walks and and the South Quay keeping runner's spirits up
Rock Choir performed at The Walks and and the South Quay keeping runner’s spirits up
Two runners hold their medals with pride
Two runners hold their medals with pride
Runners-next-the-sea hold up their medals
Runners-next-the-sea hold up their medals
The Recipharm Mini GEAR also took place with youngsters setting off
The Recipharm Mini GEAR also took place with youngsters setting off
A runner supports Team 8:56, Lynn News' charity of the year bringing awareness to men's mental health
A runner supports Team 8:56, Lynn News’ charity of the year bringing awareness to men’s mental health
Young volunteers helped out at the event handing out water and finishing medals
Young volunteers helped out at the event handing out water and finishing medals
Volunteers are essential to the success of the event
Volunteers are essential to the success of the event
Thumbs up from this participant
Thumbs up from this participant
Wave there is a photographer
Wave there is a photographer
And they're off
And they’re off
Runners set off at 9.30am from the starting line
Runners set off at 9.30am from the starting line
Runners turned out in force
Runners turned out in force
The weather stayed fine for the race
The weather stayed fine for the race
It was sunny and dry along the route
It was sunny and dry along the route
Runners are keen to get started
Runners are keen to get started
Howard Junior School turned out in force
Howard Junior School turned out in force
Supporters at the race
Supporters at the race
A pooch looks on
A pooch looks on
Bright in orange and ready to run
Bright in orange and ready to run
On your marks, get set, go
On your marks, get set, go
Mini GEAR is also popular for youngsters
Mini GEAR is also popular for youngsters
Runners at the event
Runners at the event
The event saw thousands participate
The event saw thousands participate
The sun shone on the runners
The sun shone on the runners
Runners are glad to get over the finish line
Runners are glad to get over the finish line
A helping hand in the race
A helping hand in the race
The race is a popular annual event in Lynn
The race is a popular annual event in Lynn

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