One of the annual events we absolutely love being involved with is the Jigsaw Run, which in 2014 has raised around £3,750 for charity.
We’ve organised and sponsored the Jigsaw Run since its inception in 2012 when it started as a 5k fun run. The event has been steadily growing in popularity since.
A misty morning cleared just in time for the start of the third annual Jigsaw Run 10k at Dunsfold Park in Surrey on Sunday 30th November.
A record number of entrants completed two circuits of the runway and perimeter road, taking in parts of the BBC Top Gear Track and passing the iconic Boeing 747 used in films including Casino Royale.
After a Magic Mile fun run, the 10k race was started by Kim Robson from 96.4 The Eagle Radio, patron of Jigsaw Run charity The Jigsaw Trust. With cool temperatures and minimal wind, new course records were set by the men and women.
First across the line for the men was Mark Greet (Horsham Joggers) in 35:47.
Fastest lady was Caroline Pleasence (unattached) in 39:49. Caroline holds the World Record for running the fastest marathon in a nurse’s uniform, after finishing the Virgin Money London Marathon in this attire in 3 hr 13 min 58 sec earlier this year.
Over 200 runners completed the 10k race, with the full results available here. The feedback we received on the day and after the race has been really positive, with lots of happy runners setting new personal bests on this very fast course.
The two charities this event supported in 2014 were the Jigsaw Trust and the Eagle Radio Trust. As you can see from this photo, Ryan (3) was a little unsure of the presence of Eggbert, the Eagle Radio mascot:
It takes a massive amount of hard work and careful coordination to bring an event of this scale to fruition, as well as ensuring the safety of so many people on a large site on the day itself. We were fortunate this year to have the invaluable help of lots of volunteers, including a team from the Cranleigh Lions who did sterling work directing traffic and helping runners find their way around the course.
The Informed Choice team were also on hand to marshal runners, hand out goody bags and remove chip timing modules from shoelaces as runners crossed the finish line. Informed Choice chartered financial planner Philip Sullivan ran the 10k and finished in a time of 1:04:28.
We’re already making plans for the event again next year, with a provisional date of Sunday 29th November and an intention to open registrations early to give those who have run with us before an opportunity to secure their places before entries open for the general public.
All photos courtesy of Stuart March Photography