Little runners get ready for big day for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice

Registrations are flooding in for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice’s Mini Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, April 29 in Greenwich Park.

The Mini Marathon is a sponsored running event for children aged between five and 16 and gives them the chance to run a 2.62-mile course around the park – the start point for the Virgin London Marathon. Every child will receive a special Mini Marathon medal and a goody bag at the end of the event.

Some of the Mini Marathoners have been sharing their stories about why they take part in the event.

Sophie, aged eight and from Sidcup, said: “The hospice is such an important place. It looked after my nanny and lots of people. We raised money and had fun too.”

Her 13-year-old brother, Billy, said: “We ran the Mini Marathon last year in memory of our nan who, like many others, was cared for by the amazing hospice. It is close to mine and many other families’ hearts.

They care for people in our local community at their time of need and it was great to be able to give a little back.

“The Mini Marathon is well organised and fun.”

Jadon (runner number 842) from Deptford, said: “The Mini Marathon is so much fun. It’s great to be a part of a team of children taking over Greenwich Park and raising money for such a great cause.

“You don’t have to be as fast as Usain Bolt or Mo Farah, as we are all crowned winners when we cross the finish line.”

Sophie, Billy, and Jadon are just some of the 1,400 Mini Marathon legends who helped raise more than £70,000 for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice last year. The Mini Marathon is the hospice’s biggest fundraising event, with more than £250,000 raised since the event began in 2013.

There is a £7.50 per child registration fee which covers the cost of running the event so the hospice encourages children to raise as much sponsorship as they can.

All children who raise more than £50 in sponsorship will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win prizes including a Goal’s Eltham football party and an Anderson Travels UK day trip to Stonehenge and Bath, The Cotswolds or Oxford, Stratford and The Cotswolds.

Bill’s Restaurant in Greenwich is also supporting the event by offering 20 per cent off all food to all Mini Marathon participants dining between Friday, April 27 and Saturday, May 5.

For the fourth year running, the Mini Marathon is sponsored by John Payne and Acorn.

For more details or to register a place at the Mini Marathon, visit www.communityhospice.org.uk/fundraising-events/171-2018/10927-mini-marathon/