Your last chance to run the Kirste 5 in memory of an inspirational woman (From Southend Standard)

Your last chance to run the Kirste 5 in memory of an inspirational woman

5:00pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in Sport

THERE are still a handful of places available to run in Sunday’s Kirste 5 Memorial Race which is being staged in memory of an inspirational former member of Benfleet Running Club.

Kirste Bowman, nee Snellgrove, ran 33 marathons after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005.

She raised more than £50,000 in the process.

Kirste lost her battle with cancer earlier this year and her club-mates decided to organise a race in her honour to raise funds for the Bosom Pals and Macmillan Nurses charities.

The race starts at 9.30am on Sunday at Grove Wood Primary School, Rayleigh , with organisers saying there are limited places available on the day.

There will, however, be plenty of space in the junior 3km run which starts at 10am.

Kirste’s husband John Bowman will be at the race with the Olympic torch he carried through Hylands Park, Chelmsford, in her honour when the flame visited Essex last month.

People will be able to have their pictures taken with the torch for a donation to charity.

Also present will be local Great Britain athletes Hayley McLean and Gemma Kersey, plus England internationals Paul Whittaker and George Elliott.

The race heads out to Hockley Woods, returning through Cherry Orchard Jubilee Park, New England Wood, & Grove Wood. For more information on the event, visit Benfleet Running Club’s race website www. benfleetrunningclub.com/kirste