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Thousands take part in city's half-marathon

Dotty McLeod,in Peterboroughand
Aimee Dexter
BBC Two people are standing side-by-side and are holding a yellow frame which has 'I took part in the Great Eastern Run for Light Project Peterborough' written on it. Both of them are wearing medals and are smiling. BBC
The Light Project Peterborough is a homeless charity that offers support to rough sleepers in the city

More than 9,500 runners were on the starting line for the Great Eastern Run at the weekend.

Routes through Peterborough included a half-marathon and a 5-km (3-mile) fun run. The organisers, Good Running Events, said more than 25 local charities would benefit.

Among Sunday's runners was Matt Edgley, fundraising officer at Light Project Peterborough, which supports people experiencing homelessness.

"It's always a good event [and] we've raised at least £6,000," he said.

Alex Harris/BBC Barriers line a street that has historic buildings. People are standing behind the barriers. There are three runners in shorts and running vests running down the street. Alex Harris/BBC
Just under 10,000 people ran through Peterborough on Sunday

Father and son Ollie and Sam Wilson, from Stamford, ran for Sue Ryder, a bereavement support charity.

"We run sort of in spirit together, but physically not together, unfortunately," said Sam Wilson.

He finished the half-marathon in one hour 32 minutes.

Ollie Wilson crossed the line in one hour 57 minutes.

He said: "It's something we can do together and he's always going to be a bit faster than me, but that's cool."

Ollie and Sam Wilson are standing next to each other in front of a blue gazebo and a yellow car. They are both wearing running vest tops which have Sue Ryder written on them. They are wearing medals.
Ollie and Sam Wilson were raising money for the Sue Ryder charity

The event has been cancelled in previous years, including in 2019, after a security scare, and during Covid in 2020 and 2021.

On Sunday, both routes started and finished on Bishops Road. Because of building work across the city, changes were made to the usual routes.

Six people who are all wearing yellow, green and black T-shirts stand next to each other. They are all wearing or holding medals and smiling.
The Yaxley Runners group display their Great Eastern Run medals

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