Hundreds take part in Investec 10k Fun Run for Guernsey Mind

The event was raising money for Guernsey Mind. £9,000 was collected last year.

The run has a circular route that takes in the coast road at Rousse.

For Richard Vahey, it was day 87 of his attempt to complete 161 10k runs in as many days in memory of his best friend, Karl Addis, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

The 161 represents the collar number of Mr Addis when he worked as a local police constable.

‘Karl’s family wanted Help a Guernsey Child as the beneficiary as he was a great community officer and a great supporter of youth,’ said Mr Vahey, who runs his own carpet cleaning business.

In 15 days he was unable to run because of a knee injury, friends stepped in to do it for him. He had raised almost £1,500 so far and has a just giving page where money can be donated.

Rory Richards, who works in investment management, was given permission by the organisers to run with his son, 13-year-old Cohin Dean, who is under the minimum age for runners ofv16. Mr Richards began running in the last lockdown and last month completed a 48-mile ultra marathon in Jersey.

‘Cohin used to swim but I think he got bored of looking at the bottom of a pool,’ he said. ‘It’s nice to go out running together but there are more people in something like this which spurs you on.’

Cohin was confident of finishing having already completed a 7.5km run.

Mel Nicolle, who works in finance, was starting the run with her friend, Chantal Green.

‘I do this event every year and I love it,’ she said.

‘I do a lot of running, mainly in local races and anything from 5km to marathons.’