Twenty-six-year-old from Bedford is sharing his experience of taking part in the Bedford Running Festival in aid of Sue Ryder, in the hope that it will encourage others to follow in his steps.
Between September 2-4, a team of Sue Ryder runners will be pounding the pavements of Bedfordshire, as they take on a festival route of their choosing, to raise vital funds for the charity which provides expert and compassionate palliative care to people living with life-limiting conditions.
Sam, who only took up running during the first Covid lockdown, explains why he picked the festival’s half marathon for his first ever charity run and how his positive experience has led him to sign up for the London Marathon in October.
Get daily FREE news here:
https://www.bedsbulletin.com/bulletin/sign-up/
“I started running in March 2020 during the first Covid lockdown as a way to get out of the house and go outdoors. Whilst I was in my final year at university, I really enjoyed running and continued throughout winter lockdowns after moving back home to Bedford.
“In the summer of 2021, I felt like I was ready to run a half marathon, and after doing some research, I decided that the Bedford Running Festival was the best choice for me. It looked like a really great day out, with a good route and I like running in the summer months, so the timing was right too,” said Sam.
Knowing that many charities had struggled with fundraising due to the pandemic, Sam decided that he would run in aid of Sue Ryder.
“Sue Ryder is a charity very close to mine, and my family’s heart, as we have had several family members from both sides of my family pass away at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice.
“My Nanna, who I was very close to and who was a very influential figure in my life, spent time at the hospice before she passed away in May 2016 and running in her memory was my main motivation for joining the Sue Ryder running team. My mum has also done fundraising for the charity including taking part in Starlight Hike a few times.” he added.
Bedfordshire Running Festival offers something for people of all ages and abilities, including a 5k, family fun run, twilight 10k, half marathon and 20-mile route. There is also lots to do over the weekend, with a children’s funfair on the Saturday and Sunday, plenty of food and drink stalls to choose from and even some yoga for rest and relaxation.
“The running festival was a great day out and we had beautiful weather last year. I was nervous and excited all at the same time, but it was good to be around so many runners of all different abilities, as well as to talk to other people who were running for Sue Ryder, who were all so positive and supportive.
“My family and friends were there too and had a wonderful time at the festival, supporting all of the runners and enjoying the stalls. The atmosphere was brilliant and with everyone clapping, cheering and sporting Sue Ryder banners, I was able to push for a personal best for a half marathon!” said Sam.
When asked what he would say to anyone thinking about signing up for the festival Sam added: “Go for it, it’s something that anyone can work towards and achieve with some training. Getting support from your family and friends to fundraise for charity is a really fun part of it all too.
“I think it’s good to have a time you want to work towards, but take it slow and steady when you are training, and work just below the pace you want to achieve, to help you build your endurance,” Sam said.
After such a positive experience at the Bedford Running Festival, Sam decided to go one step further and apply for a Sue Ryder place at this year’s London Marathon. “After the event I was on such a high and I spoke to the fundraising team at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice about doing the London Marathon. After getting support from the team and submitting an application, I was selected to run it! I have since been training and I am very excited,” Sam added.
There is still time to join the Sue Ryder running team at this year’s Bedford Running Festival: sueryder.org/support-us/fundraise/events/bedford-running-festival-2022
To donate to Sam’s London Marathon fundraising here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/samwithey-runs
