Fun runners race for farmers

Fun runners competed with some top athletes

Thousands of fun runners have competed with some of the world's top athletes to raise money for Britain's rural communities.

South African-born long-distance runner Zola Budd-Pieterse, who represented Britain in the 1984 Olympics, joined a 350-strong countryside team in the first 10km British Open Road Race.

Hairdresser Nicky Clarke, actress Dervla Kirwan, Steps singer Faye Tozer and her boyfriend, Jasper, also took part.

Richard Macdonald, director general of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), said the countryside team had raised more than £100,000 for the union's Supporting Farmers in Crisis Fund to regenerate the industry and help families hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The support of every runner will be cherished by farmers and their families

Richard Macdonald
NFU

"Everybody did really brilliantly," he said.

"The support of every runner will be cherished by farmers and their families.

"It means a great deal to farmers that so many fund-raising activities, including this run, are being carried out to help them.

"These are desperate times and every penny raised will be put to the best possible use.

Faye Tozer, Jasper, and Dervla Kirwan took part

Chef Clarissa Dickson Wright was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly to help start the race, which passed Westminster Abbey, Downing Street and St Paul's Cathedral before finishing on the Embankment opposite the London Eye.

She said: "Foot-and-mouth has been a disaster and the disaster is continuing because the government doesn't ask the people who know.

"There are a lot of small farmers who are still suffering and they need help."

"I've got a voice and I want it to be heard.

"I could go on cooking on TV - but it's not important to me."