Go Dad Run in Hove raises awareness for charities

Men and boys from across the south took part in the Sanlam Go Dad Run in Hove Park on Sunday (June 25), to raise awareness of men's health issues and funds for five charities.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jun 2017, 18:06 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 05:09 BST
Sally Gunnell and Mark Foster (Credit: Hugo Michiels Photography)Sally Gunnell and Mark Foster (Credit: Hugo Michiels Photography)
Sally Gunnell and Mark Foster (Credit: Hugo Michiels Photography)

Runners took on 5K or 10K routes in big blue Y-fronts, and were cheered on by Olympic gold medalist hurdler Sally Gunnell and six time world champion swimmer Mark Foster.

Ms Gunnell said: "It is so exciting to see something new coming to Brighton and Hove and as this becomes established I think it will grow and grow as it is such a simple and fun idea and the guys seemed to love pulling on their big blue Yfronts, although some of the smaller boys needed a few safety pins to keep theirs attached!"

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The pair presented runners with medals as they crossed the finish line and Go Dad Run's founder, Colin Jackson, sent a special audio message to those who took part.

Sally Gunnell and Mark Foster with runners at the start line (Credit: Hugo Michiels Photography)Sally Gunnell and Mark Foster with runners at the start line (Credit: Hugo Michiels Photography)
Sally Gunnell and Mark Foster with runners at the start line (Credit: Hugo Michiels Photography)

This was the third of seven Go Dad Runs that the three-time world champion athlete and BBC commentator Mr Jackson is organising around the UK this year and he was delighted with the response from the runners in Hove Park.

"It was very sad not to be there but I watched it on Facebook Live and have seen lots of photos and tweets and am really pleased with how much the guys and their families seemed to enjoy their morning," he said. "It is all down to the hard work of the organisers and charities and our wonderful volunteers and now that we've got a foothold in the City we look forward to making the 2018 Go Dad Run even bigger so that many more men think and talk about their health."

Mr Foster said: "I've been an ambassador since Colin first created the project in 2013 and this is without doubt one of the very best and most fun atmospheres I've experienced at a Go Dad Run. It was great to see so many men and boys in the Park, especially as I visited Martlets Hospice recently and witnessed the amazing work they do in the community.

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Riptide Gym's Matt Bartsch led the mass participation warm-up and Coastway Hospital Radio's Jason Baker and Alex McCord shared the MC duties.

Martlets Hospice in Hove was one of the benefiting charities, and Prostate Cancer UK, Bowel Cancer UK, Orchid and the Campaign Against Living Miserably were the national charity partners.

For more information about Go Dad Run, visit: www.godadrun.co.uk

Related topics:HoveBrighton