Runners set for Bath half marathon

8:24am Saturday 24th March 2007

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Last year nurse Ally Richardson was pounding her way around the Nationwide Bath Half Marathon but this time she will have the honour of officially starting it.

Around 12,500 runners, many of them from Wiltshire, will be lining up for the race at 11am tomorrow - as long as they remember the clocks go forward.

Ms Richardson works for Clic Sargent, the official charity for the half marathon, which is now in its 26th year.

The former runner is looking forward to a different view of the race this year.

She will be supported tomorrow by her two daughters, Ella, nine, and Nancy, seven, who cheered her on from the sidelines last year.

Ms Richardson, from Newbridge, said: "I am really excited and my two children are really excited about it too.

"I ran it last year because I was approaching 40 and I wanted to do it before I was 40.

"I am not a natural runner and it was quite an effort.

"It was a challenge I set myself and having done it once I did not want to do it again, so it is exciting to be involved like this year.

"It is lovely, particularly to represent Clic Sargent, who I work for and hold dear to my heart."

Ms Richardson has been working at the Royal United Hospital for the last 12 years and is one of the two Clic Sargent nurses. The hospital also benefits from a doctor and social worker funded by the charity to help families through the most difficult times of their lives.

The charity and its nurses were heavily involved in giving support to four-year-old Amelia Price, of Corston, who died last weekend.

The event is an important fundraiser for the charity with more than 350 runners taking part on behalf of the cause.

It is hoped to smash last year's total of £65,000 and bring in as much as £90,000.

The charity is also appealing for more runners to take part in events later in the year which can help them make a real difference to the lives of children with cancer and their families.

There are still a number of places available in this year's Bristol Half Marathon which takes place in September as well as the ING New York Marathon in November.

To join the Clic Sargent running team and help raise £1m in 2007, visit the website at the link below or contact the running events team on 0845 602 4770.

Runners gearing up for the race will be keeping their fingers crossed that the elements are on their side.

The weather forecast looks promising with competitors only having to contend with light rain.

Among the runners will be Gazette sports reporter Nick Mashiter, who hopes to have raised £300 for a children's charity in Norfolk.