On the Sunday 17th March 2019, Muscular Dystrophy UK will be holding their famous Town and Gown 10K run in Leicester for a third year.  The event, which will take place at the Charles Wilson Sports Hall, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH, will see runners run through Victoria Park starting at 10 am.

This amazing event, the newest 10K in the series, aims to raise awareness and funds to continue to give support, advice and resources to those living with many conditions such as Becker Muscular Dystrophy in the UK, alongside also supporting the families and professionals who work with them.

We spoke to Jamie, who took first place in the 2018 Leicester Town and Gown 10K, to ask him what is special about it.

(Q) What is impressive about Leicester? The route? The organisation? The cause? The atmosphere?

“I will always sell Leicester as an impressive city, seeing as I was born and grew up there! Although I now work as a solicitor in Cambridge, I often take a weekend trip home to Leicester to see my family who live there. I also come back to race and represent my home club, Leicester Coritanians, who I have remained affiliated with despite moving out of Leicester. I thought the Town and Gown route had lots of sharp twists and turns, although it is very good from a spectator’s perspective, as you can almost see the whole course from any position in Victoria Park.

I think the Town and Gown events are very well organised, having run in the Cambridge event on two occasions and the Leicester event once. The events are held for a fantastic cause and raise great awareness of muscular dystrophy. The Town and Gown races are always well attended, and therefore draw decent crowds with friends and family cheering each competitor on.”

Q) Given that the running awards have pitched us into a national league, would you equate them with other major runs?

“I think the Town and Gown events have obtained good coverage, being held in three well-known cities. The Cambridge event usually attracts over 1000 runners, which is a fairly sizeable turnout for a race.”

Q) How would you describe your type of runner?

“My running focus changes throughout the year. In the summer I compete at the track in 1500m-5000m races. Through the rest of the year, I race on the roads, from 5km to Half Marathons. I recently competed in the Cambridge 1/2 finishing 31st out of 8,500 runners with a new PB of 75:08. My attentions turn to shorter distances now as I try and build up some speed for the upcoming track season.”

 Q) Any moments of drama?

“No major dramas thankfully. I missed out on breaking the sub 33-minute 10km barrier by a couple of seconds last year (33:01) as well as the sub-16-minute 5km barrier, also be seconds (16:01). I will make sure I smash those barriers this year. I achieved personal bests over every distance last year and I plan to continue that upward trend this year.” 

“I just want to highlight the importance of my team around me. I have a fantastic coach in Alan Maddocks and a brilliant physiotherapist, Brian Borrows. They have been key to my improvements, keeping me fit and injury free. My family and girlfriend also spend a lot of their weekends watching, bag holding and supporting me which I really appreciate.” He added at the end of the interview.

Muscular Dystrophy UK provides a personal support system which is available to whoever may need it at their point of need. Alongside, a specialist helpline which hands out free information and advice which, in the last year alone, responded to more than 25,000 requests for help.

The funds raised from your involvement in the Leicester Town and Gown 10K run could help find this cutting edge research and much more.

 

To sign up for the Leicester Town and Gown 10K yourself, visit this website:

https://www.townandgown10k.com/leicester/register-to-race-for-leicester-town-gown/

Be quick! Registration closes on the 13th March. And, be sure to choose the De Montfort University team!