Hundreds take part in Sport Relief Miles across Wiltshire (From This Is Wiltshire)

Hundreds take part in Sport Relief Miles across Wiltshire

2:00pm Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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Hundreds of people took part in Sport Relief Miles held in Trowbridge and Melksham on Sunday, with many turning up in fancy dress.

An estimated 400 people turned up to the event in Trowbridge Park, which was organised by the town council’s community sports coaches, Active Trowbridge.

People could choose to walk or run a one, three or five mile course around the park.

Dee Horscroft, community services officer at the town council, said: “It was a really, really nice family day and obviously the sun shone so that was really nice. It was very successful.

“Most people had registered to take part beforehand but we had lots of people come along and turn up on the day.

“There were people pushing babies round in buggies, people running and competing against each other; it was just a great mix of the community.”

She estimated that more than £1,900 was raised for the Sport Relief appeal on Sunday alone, with that amount set to rise when money is collected over the coming days.

Some runners chose to complete the course in fancy dress, with a white rabbit, a lion, Spiderman and several fairies and angels spotted.

Trowbridge mayor, Cllr Jeff Osborn, and town crier, Trevor Heeks, even got involved by leading a warm-up routine outside the bandstand.

Meanwhile, more than 200 people took part in the Sport Relief Mile held in Bowerhill, Melksham, on Sunday, following a Mr Motivator style warm-up by leisure centre staff.

The event was organised by Avon Valley Runners and cut through the playing fields, by the side of Christie Miller Sports Centre.

People taking part were given the option of tackling a one, three or six mile route, and many people dressed up on the day as they raised money.

The event was a family affair for Sarah Jewers, secretary of the running club and organiser of the event, who had her two children Beth, 15, and Evan, 12, marshalling the runners.

“It was a great success, the weather was great and all the feedback we have had has been very good,” she said.

“The Christie Miller Sports Centre was great and they provided bacon rolls and tea afterwards as well as toilets and changing room facilities.

“The Mr Motivator style warm up by the Christie Miller staff was brilliant too, I think people were exhausted before they even started the mile after that.

“We had some really great support too.”

Mrs Jewers who has been with the running club for around three years said some of the costumes people came along to the event, included the 118 118 twins from the TV advert, as well as doctors, nurses and even runners in drag.

For a photos of Trowbridge and Melksham Sport Relief Miles, plus photos from schools who held their own Sport Relief Miles, see this Friday's Wiltshire Times.