Inspire Suffolk has been chosen as the official charity partner for this year’s Ipswich Building Society Twilight 10k Race on Friday 26 July, which is being held for the fifth consecutive year in association with Ipswich Building Society, Ipswich Jaffa Running Club, and Suffolk County Council.
As you may recall, charities operating in the Ipswich and Suffolk area were invited to apply for partnership with the event, and entries were judged on their ability to promote, encourage or facilitate physical activity and wellbeing.
The 10k race is a mass participation run to beat the sunset, open to runners of all levels and abilities. The Twilight Road Races enjoyed a successful launch in 2015, and last year saw the most popular race to date with over 1,500 runners signing up. This year the 10k race sold out in a record 26 days, cementing itself as one of the biggest events in the Suffolk running calendar.
Applications were received from seven local charities including Anglia Care Trust, Fresh Start New Beginnings, and Suffolk Accident Rescue Service. Although not chosen for the partnership, each of the charities that applied will be offered two free race places so that they have an opportunity to fundraise for the essential work they do within the local community.
Richard Norrington, Chief Executive at Ipswich Building Society, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Inspire Suffolk as the charity partner for this year’s Twilight 10k. They are a perfect fit for our event and their help and support in previous years has been invaluable. I’m also pleased that we are able to offer free race places to each of the other charities that applied so that they have an opportunity to be a part of the event and raise funds for the wonderful causes they represent.”
Sara Warburton, Events and Fundraising Officer at Inspire Suffolk, commented: “We’re really pleased to have been chosen again as the charity partner for this fantastic event – we’re keen to promote fitness and wellbeing amongst young people from all walks of life, and the Twilight 10k is the perfect way to do that. We’re looking forward to raising lots of funds to support Inspire Suffolk’s lifechanging work with local young people.”
A change in the format for this year means the race will start and finish at Ipswich Town Football Club’s home in Portman Road on a new route which takes runners past iconic Ipswich landmarks, such as the Willis Building and the Town Hall.