SWINDON’S amateur athletes took part in one of the town’s most popular runs at the weekend – the Hackpen Hill 10K Challenge.

On Sunday, the tracks and farm fields skirting the historic Ridgeway trail became a runner’s paradise, all to raise funds for the radiotherapy appeal.

Paul Bailey, race organiser, said: “It was amazing, a really memorable event.

“Organising it was quite stressful. We worked really hard beforehand trying to get everything set up.

“We had to erect a marquee, put out straw bales for people to sit on, organise the barbeque and tidy the car park. And after all that we ran the course. It was an exhausting day, but really enjoyable.”

The race started at Weir Farm, Broad Hinton, and took in the surrounding areas of natural beauty.

Weir Farm is owned by James Hussey, who has been involved with fundraising for Brighter Futures after his wife Gill lost her battle with cancer in 2014.

Paul said: “It was really quite cold on Saturday and we were a bit uncertain about the weather. But at 8am on Sunday morning the clouds parted and the sun came out – it was as if Jill was shining down on us.”

James recently told the Adver: “Radiotherapy is so important because it gives people more opportunities to live life and we need to do all we can to make it easier for them by having a unit in Swindon. It’s something that must happen and needs to happen soon.”

Race organisers were very pleased with the positive responses they received from those who took part in the run, and are already starting to plan next year’s event.

“We had amazing feedback from people,” said Paul. “One man came up to me afterwards and said this is what running is all about. It was a nice family event and a beautiful course, and you can come back and have plenty to eat.”

So far, the run has managed to pull in more than £4,000 for Brighter Futures, and organisers are hoping to reach £6,000 when all the pennies are collected in.

Paul wished to thank all those who had helped to make the event a success. “It was superb and I’m really proud to have organised it,” he said.

“But it couldn’t have gone ahead without all the help we received from individuals and the support from local businesses.”

Next year the run will be held on September 17. Before then, however, the team is organising a muddy fun run in January.

So far £937,625 has been raised for Brighter Futures. The team is very grateful for every single donation and wish to thank everyone for their support. To donate you can send cut out and send in the attached form or log on to www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.