Jack prepares for Bupa Great Birmingham Run in memory of dad (From Redditch Advertiser)

Jack prepares for Bupa Great Birmingham Run in memory of dad

12:00pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News

THE thrill of the chase seen by the likes of Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis during 2012’s summer of sport has spurred Redditch residents to don their trainers and follow in the footsteps sporting heroes, by signing up for the Bupa Great Birmingham Run.

Over the last few weeks sporting fever has gripped the Midlands, with race organisers Nova seeing a massive surge in sign-ups for the half marathon which is taking place on Sunday, October 21.

Redditch resident Jack Baker, 23, a trainee accountant at Butchers Printed Products, has pledged to run to raise money for his chosen charity, Cancer Research, in memory of his father.

He said: “My father died from lung cancer earlier this year , aged 51, and this motivated me to sign-up to take part. By running the Bupa Great Birmingham Run I hope to raise money to support lung cancer in the UK but also raise awareness of the disease. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK yet seems to be underpublicised, especially in the case of non-smokers like my father.

“I was a spectator last year when my brother completed it, but this year we will both be running it together in his memory. I have been training for three weeks now by cycling to work and also getting out running as often as I can. The ultimate aim is to run it in under an hour and 50 minutes.”

Jamie Still, race director at Nova, said: “Sporting fever in 2012 has been incredibly contagious, so much so that we have seen a massive surge in sign-ups after the Olympics started, the biggest since the ballot for entries opened.

“The response rate in Redditch has soared and so if there is anyone else wishing to take part, then now is the time. We are urging people not to leave it too late, as they may be disappointed.”

For more details, see greatrun.org/birmingham or facebook.com/greatbirminghamrun.