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On your marks for road race fundraiser

Katie Fitzpatrick
22/ 4/2008

CARTOON characters, babies, a whoopie cushion and a Premier League footballer all helped this year’s Steve Rothwell Road Race to go with a bang.

Runners dressed as Scooby Doo, Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the film Toy Story, The Flintstones, Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men, Tigger and Batman for the seventh annual charity four-mile race to raise money for Fairfield Hospital in Bury.

The 199 runners included Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson, 83-year-old Jack Kirk from Lower Healey, who has completed marathons across the globe, and 76-year-old Derek Clutterbuck of Whitworth.

Steve Rothwell’s widow, Sue, the 2007 Rochdale Woman of the Year, who fired the starting gun said: "It was a cold night, but the atmosphere was hot."

The money raised over the years has helped to pay for taxis to transport patients who do not drive and cannot afford taxi fares to the Christie Hospital for treatment.

Mr Rothwell’s children, Richard, aged 31, Jonathan, 26, Katie, 24 and James, 21, all took part in the race, organised with Rochdale runner Andy O’Sullivan MBE.

The overall winner was Danny Brocklehurst from Trafford. The first Rochdale runner home was Matthew Proctor, from Wardle, in 21 minutes and 34 seconds and the first Rochdale woman was Linda Evans of Norden in 28 minutes 38 seconds.

Mr O’Sullivan said: "I think this year’s race was the best yet."

See Saturday’s Observer for more pictures and full results.