A Hemel Hempstead-based running club hosted their annual fundraising run last month.
The Gade Valley Harriers (GVH) have been hosting their fancy dress run for the last 15 years. The 10-mile run between Tring and Hemel sees runners swap their Lycra for costumes handmade from papier-mâché and glue. The annual event was set up by Vince Ellerby to raise money for a charity close to his heart, Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Each year, a theme is decided and each runner is allocated a costume. This year’s theme was ‘toys’.
On Saturday, July 13, 30 of the GVH runners headed to Tring dressed in their elaborate outfits, from space hoppers to cowgirls to Lego men. John Roberts’ papier-mâché Mr Potato Head costume was a particular favourite among bemused onlookers. The group then ran a 10-mile route through Tring, Berkhamsted and Hemel, frequenting various pubs along the way.
Speaking to HEMELnews, head coach at GVH Edward Price said: “For us, it’s a really nice social event; we don’t run particularly fast as we can’t in the costumes!
“Everyone comes together for a lovely catch-up and socialise. Seeing people’s reactions are amazing, and we often see people thinking ‘what on earth are they doing!’ But it’s a really lovely event, and families even join us for part of the way.
“A huge thank you to Vince for setting this up, and a shout out to all the pub staff who were all welcoming to a bunch of strangely dressed, sweaty people!”
The venture has currently raised more than £580 for the charity.
To donate to the fundraiser, head to www.shorturl.at/Rxhhk. To find out more about GVH, please visit
www.gadevalleyharriers.co.uk
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