Brighton Heroes Run 2012

Marvel at The Incredibles, Batman, The Avengers & more in the Heroes Run for Pass It On Africa

The Heroes Run is a superhero themed charity run that first took place in 2005 on Brighton seafront. The event is now being held at four other venues around the country. Over the past seven years the Heroes Run has encouraged runners of all ages and abilities to get involved and has become a Brighton institution.

It may also be your best opportunity this year to put the stresses and strains of your daily life on hold, get some exercise in a very unique way and raise some money for a good cause all at the same time.

The Heroes Run events are put on by Brighton-based charity Pass It On Africa. The charity was set up in 2004 by Matt Lambert and James Macdonald after hearing of a small school in Nairobi, Kenya, that needed some support. Some of the children attending had to walk for miles every day and most of them didn’t have shoes. The pair decided to start raising money by running the Dublin Marathon dressed up as Batman and Robin.

The Heroes Run has helped Pass It On Africa to raise nearly £300,000

After really enjoying the marathon, they decided to set up a charity to help expand the Tenderfoot School with the addition of six classrooms. One fundraising project turned into three fundraising projects and Pass It On Africa is now in the process of funding the build of three schools in three African countries.

Since the first event in 2005, the Heroes Run has helped Pass It On Africa to raise nearly £300,000 and has been enjoyed by several thousand runners of all ages, fitness levels and abilities. In the last three years, the event has seen its numbers go from around 500 in 2008 to over 1,500 in 2011. The event attracts all demographics, young and old.

2012 is set to be the most successful year with four Heroes Run events being held all over the country. There will be Heroes Run events in Clapham Common in April, Brighton and Hove seafront in May, and Poole Park and Southampton Common in October.

These events will also raise funds for over 30 other UK charities besides Pass It On Africa. Charity partners include the RSPCA, The Sussex Beacon, Rise and The Teenage Cancer Trust. All charity partners have bought places across the 2012 events and their runners will be fundraising for their worthy causes. They estimate that these charities will raise over £30,000 combined in 2012.

There are still charity places available for any charities that want to use the Heroes Run events to fundraise.

There are also blocks of discounted places available for group bookings. So if you are a Head Teacher who wants your school represented on the day, a sports team manager that needs to create a bit more synergy in the ranks, or an MD that fancies a slightly different team-building exercise, then have a chat with James on 07967 189 482 or drop him a line at james@pioafrica.org.uk.

At the Brighton and Clapham Common events there will be a 5km or 10km race for the adults and a 500 metre dash for Mini Heroes.

The event organisers are very aware that many people are feeling the pinch at the moment and have decided to considerably reduce their race entry prices this year so that as many people as possible can still get involved.

It costs £12 to enter the 5km race, £14 to enter the 10km race and just £3 to enter the 500 metre kids dash.

As always, there will be 10 great prizes up for grabs for the top 10 fundraisers. There will also be 20 prizes for the top 20 costumes.

Also new this year, and to help you keep your costume costs down, there is a very reasonably priced Heroes Run Superhero costume option which you can buy when you sign up at www.heroesrun.org.uk.

The Heroes Run events have a habit of selling out fast, so to avoid missing out on all the fun, please visit the website today!

Heroes Run, Brighton, in aid of Pass It On Africa, Sunday 20 May 2012, 01273 819000 or (James)

07967 189 482, info@pioafrica.org.uk