ORGANISERS of the Dorchester and District Lions Club Fun Run have thanked all those who made the event a success and helped raise thousands of pounds.

More than 200 people took part in the club’s 32nd annual Fun Run with entrants, running, jogging, walking or being pushed around a 2km or 10km course.

The Lions are confident that the amount raised from the day will exceed the £4,000 collected at last year’s event.

Runners were treated to fine weather as they gathered at the start at Dorchester Middle School and in only its second year the timed 10km event proved popular with more than 90 people taking part.

Mayor of Dorchester Stella Jones helped to start both runs after judging the fancy dress competition and then went on to run in the 2km herself.

The Lions reserved special praise for the ‘Flying Nun’ Sister Augustine who travelled from Falmouth to take part in her 30th Dorchester Fun Run and collected over £1,100 of sponsorship this year – taking her personal total over the years above £25,000.

Entrants were able to donate half of their sponsorship to their own chosen cause, with the rest going to Lions Club charities.

The Lions have nominated Age UK and the Alzheimer’s Society as their two main beneficiaries for this year’s run.

Andy Rose, from the Dorchester Lions, said: “We would like to thank all those who took part in the run – especially Sister Augustine, whose participation every year ensures that there is a real ’seal of approval’ for the event!

“In addition we were delighted that the Mayor of Dorchester could attend, not only to start proceedings, but also take part in the 2km run and even present awards at the end.”

He added: “The Lions are also very grateful to those local well-known and established businesses who have continued to support the Fun Run for many years and help to ensure that maximum funds from the event can be donated to charity.

“We are always delighted to organise this important annual community event but we recognise that its continued success is dependent on the support and help from many other groups, organisations and individuals.”

The Lions are now asking all those who took part to make sure their sponsorship money can be put to good use as soon as possible by returning it in a sealed envelope together with their sponsorship forms to the gift counter at Gould’s department store in South Street.

Alternatively, cheques and the forms can be sent to the Lions treasurer Jo Maidment at 19 School Lane, Crossways, Dorchester, DT2 8WR.

For more information call 01305 853049 or 07572 862659.

The results

10km timed male:
1st Andy Clements (Poole Athletic Club), 37.41mins, 2nd Fergus Johnson (Egdon Heath Harriers), 38.08mins

10km timed female:
1st Flora Johnson (Dorchester Athletics), 46.18mins, 2nd Claire Colborne, 46.58mins

2km Fun Run:
Under 4 – boys – 1st George Trayfoot, 2nd Oliver Brown, girls – 1st Maisie Wills
Age four to seven – boys – 1st Robert Miller, 2nd William Brown, girls – 1st Jessie Old, 2nd Meadow Noble
Age eight to 12 – boys – 1st Euan Rogers, 2nd Joseph Grammitt, girls – 1st Maddy Johnson, 2nd Eve Gilmour
Age 13 to 25 – male – 1st Joseph Bagwell, 2nds Ewan (no 334), girls – 1st Kayleigh Smith, 2nd Eva Morrissey
Age 36 to 50 – female – 1st April Whitehead, 2nd Louise Dadds
Over 50 – female – 1st Mair Cole, 2nd Celia Robertson
Disabled 2km – 1st Sam Gilmour
Individual in a group – 1st Harry Ackerman, 2nd Liam Mansell
Fancy dress – 1st group – The Onesies, runner-up – Beth White and Daniel Scott