Local businesses, including Goole-based Townends Chartered Accountants, have joined forces and pledged their support to help make an organised run in Howden possible.
The Howden Ashes Run 2019 will take place for the first time on 7th August 2019, bringing the local community together in support of the Ashes Playing Field Trust, a registered charity, which works to maintain and improve recreational facilities and organise events for all in The Ashes for the people of Howden and the surrounding area.
Offering 5K and 10K run options, the course will start and end in the idyllic Ashes Playing Field and continue along a route which takes in the historic town of Howden, passing close to the Grade I listed Howden Minster and through the local Howden Marsh nature reserve. All finishers will receive a bespoke medal. There will also be a 1K Fun Run taking place on the evening for children and those who prefer a shorter run within the park.
All money raised through entry fees will go towards offsetting the costs of the event and thereafter towards developing further amenities in The Ashes Playing Field. If the run is a success, the Trust has plans to create a designated running route through the playing fields, which may include multi gym equipment.
Townends is one of seven key sponsors and will provide each runner with a ‘goody’ bag. Further donations have been gratefully received from Hoveden Homes, Howdens Joinery, Drax Community Fund, FIL, F Martinson & Son and Warburtons Community Fund to help offset the costs.
Fred Verney, senior partner at Townends and long serving Trustee of the Ashes Playing Field Trust, says: “Townends has been part of the business community in this locality for very many years and has grown to be a substantial employer with over 90 staff and partners. Most of our team live in the area and we are keen to support our local community. The Ashes Trust is a well organised and enthusiastic group of people who spend a lot of their own time running and developing the facilities on offer in the park. This run is a great example of an event which will bring people of all ages together for the benefit of all. It deserves our support and we wish the Trust every success. We have no doubt our fellow sponsors all feel the same.”
Says run organiser, Angela Martinson: “We’d love the Howden Ashes Run to become an annual event that will help us continue to expand community use of The Ashes. A lot of work has gone into ensuring the event will run as smoothly as possible and we have been awarded a full licence for the race from Run Britain. The committee has been working since December to put together an event that is a credit to Howden. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for the support of so many fantastic local businesses who have rallied together to help get this inaugural event off the ground.”
To sign up for the race, and for more information, visit my.raceresult.com/126169/info
Image: (l-r) Angela Martinson from the Ashes Trust, with race organiser Katie Winter, Senior Partner at Townends Fred Verney and event organiser Roy Traynor, in front of the Bishops Manor which will serve as Race HQ on 7th August.