fun run

More than 100 runners – young and old – took part in the 5K charity fun run marking Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday.

They tackled two laps of the picturesque Cowm Reservoir in Whitworth, Lancashire, on Sunday.

The event was in aid of Francis House Children’s Hospice, which is based in south Manchester.

Legendary Irish comedian Jimmy, a long-standing supporter of the hospice, had originally been approached by Rochdale-based fundraiser Andy O’Sullivan about the prospect of a birthday race.

Andy has organised hundreds of charity runs with Rochdale Harriers athletics club over many years.

He said: “I bumped into Jimmy in Healey Dell last year and we got chatting about what he was up to. When he mentioned that his 70^th was coming up, I thought why not mark it with a specially arranged birthday race?

“It has been a wonderful community event and adding a junior race meant we attracted all ages. Whole families took part – mums, dads and their kids.”

After gathering at the Cock and Magpie pub in Whitworth, Jimmy and the runners – some from afar afield as Shropshire – made their way to the start line where he warmed up the crowd accompanied by music from Roch Valley Radio.

Runner John Hughes travelled from Blackburn to compete, as well as meet his comedy hero (both are pictured below right).

Originally from Jimmy’s home town of Cookstown in Northern Ireland, John said: “I’ve been a fan of Jimmy’s for years having watched him on the telly. I was here bright and early for the race and it was great to meet up with a fellow townsman.”

Local resident Jo Davies was determined to take part after she had been warned by her doctor that her health was at risk if she did not lose weight.

Only four months ago she was struggling to jog 100 yards.

Spurred on by family and friends and fighting off a chest infection, Jo and friend Sam Young completed the run in 39 minutes.

Jo, who started exercising and eating more healthily in April, has lost 32lb in total.

She said: “I felt really proud when I crossed the finish line and for such an amazing cause. I really enjoyed the experience and the support was overwhelming. The training definitely helped and gave me the ability to pace myself. It felt amazing to complete the race.”

Through sponsorship from family and friends, she raised £1,000.

Jimmy said: “I was honoured the race was organised for my 70th birthday. It’s been a wonderful day and a great way to celebrate with the community and my many Rochdale friends. I am thrilled the event has raised funds for such a worthy cause as Francis House.”

Members of the Rossendale 2nd Scout Band provided music at the event.

Karen Flower from Francis House said: “We’d like to thank Jimmy Cricket, Andy and everyone who helped make the race such a success.

“The atmosphere was fantastic and every single runner gave it their best. Particular thanks to Jo and her family and friends who also took part and raised such an incredible amount for the hospice.”

With race entry fees and proceeds from a raffle, a grand total of £1,425 was raised.

Jimmy with Jo Davies, Andy O’Sullivan and Sam Young at Sunday’s charity fun run

The day of the fun run (18 October) to mark Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday is nearly here! 

And there is still time to enter if you fancy a challenge – and help raise money for charity.

The fun run being organised to mark famous comedian Jimmy Cricket’s 70th birthday will now include a junior race.

This additional event, which will be open to the Under-13s age group, will start 15 minutes before the main adult race and from the same starting point near to the Cock and Magpie in Whitworth.

It is scheduled for Sunday 18 October and will take place in Whitworth, near to where Jimmy lives in Rochdale.

The course the junior runners will follow will be one lap of Cowm Reservoir at approximately 2.5K, in contrast to the adults who will run two laps of the circuit.

Race organiser Andy O’Sullivan thought Jimmy’s 70^th birthday fun run should be expanded to include a junior run to complement the adult one.

Jimmy, who was already down to start the main race marking his special birthday, will now also start the junior version, as well as welcoming home both sets of runners and handing out some of the prizes.

Andy said: “As this is turning into a family event, I thought it would be really nice to add a junior race. This means we are in keeping with the developing theme of the fun run, which is to attract from across the ages, whether you are going to come along to run or spectate.”

Jimmy commented:  “From a seed of an idea suggested by Andy when I bumped into him during a walk in Healey Dell nearly a year ago, this fun run is now surprising me more and more as each week a new aspect is added.

“Only last month the Rossendale 2nd Scout Band said they would provide a few of their members to play at the event, and this week we have a junior race added to the event programme.

“It feels like there is only one place to be on the morning of October the 18th and that is at Cowm Reservoir!”

All proceeds from the run will be donated to the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The entry fee to join Jimmy on this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others.The entry fee for the junior race is £2 (minimum age is eight). An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers.

For more information and for a copy of the entry form, please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk

Alternatively, you can download the form above by clicking on it, so it is on its own page, and then printing out (right click and print, or press “Ctrl” and “P”).

The fun run to mark comedian Jimmy Cricket’s 70^th birthday will be a musical affair.

The 2^nd Rossendale Scout Band (above) are to provide music throughout the lead-up to the race on 18 October and during the run itself.

The whole event is being organised by Rochdale-based race organiser Andy O’Sullivan. The 5K run will start near the Cock and Magpie pub in Whitworth and take in two laps of a course which circles the picturesque Cowm Reservoir.

Its main aim is to raise funds for charity. Jimmy, who turns 70 on the eve of the race, is a huge supporter of the Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Also present on the day will be Roch Valley Radio, representatives from Francis House and, of course, Jimmy himself – he will start the race and present prizes to the winners.

The leader of the 2^nd Rossendale Scout Band, Graham Helms, said: “When I heard about the race I thought it would be great for the band to get involved as I have known Jimmy for a number of years and he is such a great person, as well as a tremendous entertainer.

“I now will have to put my thinking cap on for appropriate race music, which might feature the William Tell Overture when Jimmy starts the race off!”

Jimmy said: “I am just thrilled Graham and his band are coming along to add to the atmosphere of the event and to help make it more of a spectacle.

“The event is definitely building and even if you don’t know a runner taking part in the fun run, why not come along and enjoy all that is going on and raise a few quid for a great cause.”

The entry fee to take part in this fun race is £4 to club runners and £6 to all others. An additional £1 will be charged to entrants who turn up on the day. Prizes will be awarded to all race finishers. Jimmy will be there to send runners on their way and also greet them as they finish.

For more information and for a hard copy of the entry form (above), please contact Andy O’Sullivan at info@andemsrunners.co.uk