Our festival of sport was a huge success (From Evesham Journal)

Our festival of sport was a huge success

9:20am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Evesham By Sarah Taylor

THIS year’s Evesham Festival of Sport has been hailed a huge success.

Runners gathered in Evesham to take part in the 10km race on Sunday marking the end of the festival of sport.

Organisers say both events were extremely successful and about 1,500 turned out for the festival.

Fran Webb, chairman of the festival committee, said: “This year’s festival went extremely well.

“Some of the new clubs, including archery and fencing, are activities people may not have known existed, and to get people interested in these clubs is a feather in our cap.”

The annual Birdseye Sports Evesham Vale 10k and Children’s Fun Run, which raises funds for local charity Tracey Sollis, was won by Richard Simkiss, of Kenilworth, with Sue Street winning the ladies’ event.

The team prizes went to Evesham Vale men’s team and Malvern Joggers women’s team.

In the junior race, first girl was Sian Powell, of Kidderminster, with Matthew Doyle, of Stroud, taking the boys’ honour.

In the Subway fun run, age category winners were Jamie Bennett, Lauren Hancock, Jamie Aiyres, Ellie Moulton, Jamie Gilbert and Edith Organ.

Race director Richard Leathers thanked everyone who helped organise the race and hoped it had inspired others to take up running.

He said: “The race was started by Mayor Robert Raphael and Jo Deakins, Olympic swimmer from the Barcelona and Atlanta games.

Evesham Vale running club meets at 7pm on Mondays at the Flacons bar, Waterside.

Meanwhile, ex-serviceman Calvin Barnett completed the race carrying 52 kilos on his back – half of his own body weight.

Mr Barnett undertook the challenge in support of Help For Heroes and the Evesham Rugby Club under-17s tour funds and is hoping to raise £500 for each cause.

Evesham Hockey and Badsey Ladies Hockey said they were proud to jointly host their annual Mixed Hockey Tournament in