The Chiltern Chase – a community-organised charity run – is back on Sunday 12 June 2022 and will be supporting Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire as a new charity partner
Now in its 16th year, the much loved Chiltern Chase has raised a staggering £106,000 for a number of charities, organisations and causes. And for the next two years, the race organisers will be supporting Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire.
The event, which is now open for online entry, was created in 2006 by a group of runners who regularly met to run for leisure through the picturesque South Oxfordshire village of Ewelme, 4 km north-east of the market town of Wallingford.
After two of the group had children receiving special care from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford they decided to pull together, create a course and organise a race to raise funds for charity, to say thanks for the life-saving care. And they haven’t looked back since.
“As regular runners in the area we know how beautiful it is it around here so we created a course and held our first race,” shares one of the organisers, Barry Tindall.
“And we have done it every year since supporting around ten different charities along the way including the John Radcliffe special care baby unit, Air Ambulance and Mind.
“Every year half of our proceeds go towards our local school – Ewelme primary school. We have even helped raise funds for the village pavilion too.”
Announcing their new charity partner for the next two years, Barry added, “We have wanted to support Sue Ryder for some time through the Chiltern Chase as the Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire is local to us and the charity has looked after people we know.
“A lot of us know about the care Sue Ryder provides so we’re thrilled to be running the event to raise funds for them over the next two years.”
The Chiltern Chase regularly attracts around 500 runners to take on scenic 5km, 10km or 15km routes through the stunning Chilterns.
Andrew Farrell, age 44 from Ewelme has taken part in the Chiltern Chase almost every year and he says it is a fantastic event to take part in. “The Chiltern Chase is a really great race. The atmosphere is brilliant. We start on the common and it has such a family-friendly fun day with warm-up and music playing to get everyone going.
“Families of the runners are there to cheer everyone and the MC gives a countdown for the race starting which gets everyone pumped up. The MC is there calling out to everyone as they come in to finish too, which gets the crowd really engaged and encourages the runners towards the finish line too.
“There is often a bit of competition amongst the runners as they take on the final 20 yards and it all adds to the atmosphere.
“With 5km, 10km and 15km options through some stunning scenery there is something for everyone – we even have Nordic walkers take part. The speed you go at really doesn’t matter – it is the taking part that counts. You feel really good at the end knowing you’re supporting a charity.
“This is a race for my local community in my local community that gives something back. Whether you’re local to the area or not, there’s a really warm welcome to everyone from anywhere who wants to join us.”
The event organisers hope plenty of people will support this year’s event by signing up at chilternchase.org.uk.
“We changed the route two years ago to make it less hilly and feedback from runners is that they really enjoy the scenic off road course and ridgeway”, adds Barry.
“The event is open to anyone aged 16 or over, or younger if they are accompanied by a parent. There’s a car park, easy access to the start line and delicious refreshments and cake.”
Meghan Bentley, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be charity partners for the popular Chiltern Chase for the next two years and want to thank the organisers for supporting us.
“Our care relies on the generosity of local people, communities and organisations raising vital funds, so your support makes all the difference. It means we can be there for more families when it matters, helping them to fill their precious last days with love and care.”
Visit chilternchase.org.uk to sign up for the Chiltern Chase
For sueryder.org/southox for more information on Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire
