Runners needs to join team to run equivalent distance of Chester to Lapland in MBNA Chester Marathon & Metric Marathon for children's charity

Northern Lights Children’s Charity, the official race charity of the MBNA Chester Marathon & Metric Marathon, is looking for runners to join its team who are aiming to do just that!

Karen Jones MBE, chair of the charity, said: “In May our Northern Lights team ran the equivalent distance from Chester to Lapland, all 2,225 miles of it, in the Essar Chester Half Marathon.”

“The challenge for the marathon and metric marathon runners is to get us back when they run the Marathon and Metric Marathon on Sunday, October 6.”

Karen added: “Don’t panic – you won’t have to run the full distance on your own. We’ve divided the distance into marathon/metric marathon-sized chunks for a team of runners working together to complete the Lapland to Chester distance between them. Luckily, thanks to those athletes who have signed up to date, we are 1,000 miles into the journey already!”

If you are up for the challenge and want to raise money for this great charity, contact info@northernlightscharity.org.uk. For people who have been disappointed to miss getting a place in the Metric Marathon, the charity has some places left for athletes joining their team.

Northern Lights also support the 1-mile MBNA Chester Mini Marathon, run on the same day as the two main races and is aimed at families or young aspiring runners. Entries are open now on the Chester Marathon website and will quickly be snapped up. Karen says “If you are supporting a runner in the main race, or want a fantastic family day out, the Mini Marathon is not to be missed!”

Northern Lights Children’s Charity is a local charity which each December enables 20 children with life limiting illnesses to swap their hospital visits for sleigh rides, deep crisp snow, reindeers and snow mobiles.

“Our volunteers transport them far away from appointments, treatment regimens and worries to the winter wonderland of Lapland and a very magical visit to meet Father Christmas,” explains Karen. “However, in some cases where the children are less mobile and can’t cope with the snow and cold, we take them to Euro Disney for an equally unforgettable experience.”

“We are pleased to be supporting such a worthy local cause,” says Chris Hulse, Joint Race Organiser of Active Leisure Events. “Each year we donate a proportion of the race entry fee to the official race charity. Last year’s MBNA Marathon runners set a new record by raising over £500,000. This year, we once again invite runners to raise money for charity and we hope lots of them will be interested in taking part in this unique challenge set by Northern Lights Children’s Charity.”

Visit

for more information on the Northern Lights Charity.

Visit

for information on the MBNA Chester Marathon, Metric Marathon and Mini Marathon which is already open for entries.