Marathon runners to wear yellow ribbons to remember Manchester attack victims

The tribute comes as the county town gears up for its first marathon – with residents being reminded to watch out for road closures on Sunday.

White Star Running, who are organising the event with the Rotary Club of Dorchester Casterbridge, said they would be providing yellow ribbons to runners in tribute to the victims of Monday night’s attack at an Ariana Grande pop concert in Manchester.

There will also be a minute’s silence at the start of each race.

Describing news of the attacks as ‘tragic’, organisers said: “If you can wear a little bit of yellow on Sunday as an act of remembrance or support for the tragic events in Manchester that would be great.

“The stewards at the Manchester Arena wore yellow. Hopefully all the races across the country will join in. We are getting some ribbon to pin to runner’s numbers, which will be available at the information point.”

The race will begin at the Cokers Frome Show Ground at 8.30am, with the half marathon setting off at 9.30 am.

The marathon route will go through the east of Dorchester, passing a number of villages including West Stafford, Briantspuddle and Puddletown. The half marathon will follow a similar route but will cut though Puddletown Forest before joining the full marathon again at Puddletown.

Road closures will be in place from 7am in the east of the town while runners pass through. Drivers are warned that areas affecte by the road closures also include: Fordington, Cokers Frome and Max Gate, Tincleton, Bockhampton, Clouds Hill, Affpuddle, Tolpuddle, and Athelhampton.

Organisers are hoping the people of Dorchester and its surrounding villages will turn out to cheer on the runners.

In preparation for the race day, a group of Rainbow Guides have decorated flags to wave as they runners go past.

The group of girls, aged between five and seven, meets at Charminster hall each week.

Molly, one of the Rainbows, said: “My flag has a picture of a cake on it because I think you should get cake at the end.”

Catriona Fountain, one of the group leaders, is running the event for charity. She said: “I thought it would be good to talk to the girls about doing something for other people.

“We do badges to help them challenge themselves, so I talked about what a challenge this had been for me and got them to talk about what they thought would be a challenge for them.”

Ella, another of the Rainbows, said: “It’s not the running that matters, it’s taking part. I’ve drawn all the Rainbows standing watching.”

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