Yorkshire Marathon: at home on campus
Posted on 15 October 2024
The Yorkshire Marathon gives athletes an opportunity to experience a flat and fast course which takes in the beautiful sights of York and the surrounding area. Not only do participants raise significant amounts for their chosen charities, but there’s a positive impact for local businesses too, particularly the hospitality sector. The Yorkshire Marathon truly is an event for public good, aligning perfectly to our University vision and values. We’re extremely proud to give the Marathon Festival a home.
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Each year, students and staff from the University are among those joining in, fundraising for causes that are hugely important to them, and we’re taking the opportunity to highlight some of their stories.
Who's taking part
Mary Haworth, and Marathon Month, supporting Mentally Fit York
Mary, Director of the Office of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni (OPPA), is running to raise money for mental health research at York and the Mentally Fit York Fund. The Fund supports on the ground projects, student mental wellbeing initiatives, scholarships for mental health nurses and helps to advance mental health research. She's been documenting her training journey, and explaining what it means to her on her YuStart page.
Marathon Month
Also raising money for Mentally Fit York are the many members of our community taking part in the Marathon Month and challenging themselves to cover the marathon distance at their own pace over the course of October. Last year, participants in this challenge raised over £5,500 and we’re hoping to match that total this year.
SAINTS CDT team running for Student Minds
Six members of the SAINTS CDT (UKRI AI Centre of Doctoral Training in Safe AI Systems) will be taking part in the Yorkshire Marathon Relay. Tom Stoneham, who organised this and earlier marathon relay teams, describes it as “a team building exercise for the CDT, which has just recruited its first 11 postgraduate researchers.” Prenika Anand who’s taking part said “I saw it as a challenge to get fitter and to support student mental health.”
Jack Birch Unit team raising money for York Against Cancer
Three researchers within the Jack Birch Unit, Raphael, George and Richard, are running to raise money for York Against Cancer (YAC). They told us “YAC is an important local charity that supports those living with cancer, as well as funding important bladder cancer research at the Jack Birch Unit”.
Jessica Mosley supporting Breast Cancer Now
Jessica, and a group of friends “who all wanted a challenge” are running for Breast Cancer Now - a timely charity as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This event is a first for Jessica who says “before I started training for the Ten Mile run, I had never run more than 5k and I have never taken part in a competitive run before”.
Vlad, Ira and Ivan running for Superhumans, Ukraine
Vlad, Ira and Ivan, members of the University’s Ukrainian society, are aiming to raise £1500 for the Superhumans Center in Ukraine. This rehabilitation facility helps Ukrainians with life-threatening injuries - whether wounded in battle or harmed on the streets - get back on their feet. Superhumans is dedicated to giving adults and children a second chance at life through cutting-edge care and rehabilitation.
Good luck to everyone taking part!