This weekend will see many members of Bournville Harriers competing in the London Marathon, some for the first time and many collecting funds on behalf of good causes.

Bournville Harriers have always put in a strong showing for the annual 26.2 mile race and this year is no different. A number of runners will be running for good causes including Joanne Ribchester, who is running to support the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation after a boy in her daughter’s school class was diagnosed with liver disease: “he lives everyday having to take twice daily medication, he cannot take part in vigorous sports for risk of further damage to his enlarged liver and spleen.” To date Joanne has raised over £3600 for her cause.

Sue Ward, Bournville Harriers club chairperson said: “The London Marathon is always a popular event for Bournville Harriers and many of our members are running it this year, some are doing it for the first time and raising money for charities and others are old hands and run it each year.”

As well as charity runners the club has many members who get an entry based on their fast times in previous years, whilst some get a place through the normal ballot entry system. The club is also awarded three places as part of its affiliation to UK Athletics. Sue Ward said: “we wish our members that are running London Marathon good luck for Sunday 25th April.”

The full list of Bournville runner’s competing for charity are:
Tom Lilley (His first Virgin London Marathon for St Basil’s)
Jay O’Donnell (VLM for British Heart Foundation)
William Spanfelner (His first VLM for Look)
Jo Ribchester (VLM for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation)
Simon Newman (VLM for St Mary’s Hospice, Selly Oak)
Andrew Saker (VLM for Arthritis Care)
Maggie Curtis (VLM for Brain Tumour UK)
Linda Howell (VLM for Macmillan Cancer Support)

The race is covered live by the BBC from 8.30am on Sunday 25th April. Pic by Paul Foot