More than 80 people from University of Leicester compete in the Leicester Half-Marathon challenge

More than 80 members of staff from across our University took part in the Leicester Half-Marathon Relay Challenge on Sunday 23 October.

Some, in twelve teams of four, ran, jogged and walked their way through the 13 mile slog, supported by the University which covered their entrance fees.

Uniting in the spirit of sport and charity, the efforts of staff to organise, train and commit to the challenge helped to demonstrate the camaraderie and spirit that runs through the University of Leicester.

The University-supported teams on the day. (Click the image for a larger version)

Well-represented on the day were the Registry Office, who entered three teams, and the Department of Cancer Studies which fielded twelve people in three Cancer Studies teams (two of which are pictured below). You can view their JustGiving page here.

Jenny McNair from the Department of Cancer Studies said: “The three Cancer Studies’ teams all thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this event and raising lots of funds to support LOROS which is a  wonderful local charity.”

The University’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle stepped up to the mark and ran along with colleagues from a multitude of departments. The Vice-Chancellor’s team finished 4th overall out of 52 teams with a time of 1 hour and 35 mins and 50 seconds.

Colleagues also entered the race individually.

Rob Harding, Head of Marketing Communications at the University of Leicester, said: “This was my first Leicester Half-Marathon and I ran it with another University work colleague, Amy Costello. It was great to see so many people from Leicester cheering everybody on and there was a really great spirit amongst the runners as we made our way round the route. Highlights of the route for me were running down London Road at the start and running through Highcross towards the end. The finish straight up New Walk was really hard. We will definitely be doing it again next year.”

18 University of Leicester Teams took part in the Half Marathon relay challenge, with 76 members of staff getting involved in the event.

Of those 18 teams, the University of Leicester Sport and Recreation department paid for 12 teams to be entered meaning 6 teams entered themselves and paying the £100 fee. So a total of £1,800 was raised for LOROS by entry fees alone.

In addition to all the members of staff in the relay event, there was also representation within the Half Marathon itself.

Joanna Male, a Medical Student at the University of Leicester, finished 5th overall in the Women’s Race finishing in 1 hour and 28 mins and 8 seconds - a fantastic achievement in itself.

In addition there were 13 medics from the University of Leicester Medics Rugby Club (below left) taking part in both the Half and Full Marathon, raising money for Cancer Research. Three University of Leicester Men’s Rugby Union players (below right) also took part in the Half Marathon running for the Matt Hampson Foundation and helping to raise over £300.

A number of other members of staff took on the Half Marathon including Sport and Recreation's Melanie Wright (left), who ran the Leicester Half Marathon in preparation for her Las Vegas marathon in the not so distant future.

Matt Weir, Head of Sport & Recreation: “I would like to extend my congratulations to all those involved in the Leicester Marathon yesterday, particularly to the University of Leicester staff who I’m sure will be feeling the effects this morning. With over 80 University staff members involved in the event we are extremely proud of the efforts made by all.  Furthermore this only goes to show the camaraderie and team spirit that runs right the way through the University.”