Worksop runners clock up a whopping 14,000 miles for Aurora cancer charity

A group of 125 people took to the streets as part of the campaign during May - with the aim of each running 90 miles.

Runners took part in the impressive effort as a nod to Run The Wall - a campaign by PE teacher Sarah Johnson who had hoped to run the length of Hadrian’s Wall this month for Aurora.

When Covid-19 lockdown restrictions put an end to Sarah’s plans other novice athletes in the town agreed to complete ‘virtual legs’ of the 90-mile route to help fundraise for Aurora.

Thanks to their efforts the Run The Wall campaign has now raised over £28,000 towards its £50,000 funding target for Aurora.

Sarah is currently awaiting surgery for her second mastectomy operation after being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time.

Mum-of-two Sarah and husband Chris Johnson hope the gift will go towards creating a special support service for the children of those suffering with cancer.

Chris, 42, told how runners - including seasoned athletes and occasional joggers - said the challenge gave them a sense of purpose during lockdown.

He said: “It’s been great - especially for people working at the hospital who have been finding things tough at times - it’s been a brilliant focus for a lot of people.”

Chris, who ran the 90 miles over four days - inline with Sarah’s original target - completed the challenge without straying too far from the town centre.

He said: “We didn’t want to run off and get stranded anywhere too far from Worksop - putting a strain on emergency services.”

As part of the effort Chris and Sarah’s daughters Lily and Summer, aged 11 and 9, ran a marathon over four days.

And 20 youngsters ran nine miles over the last six days in May.

Though the Hadrian’s Wall route has now been cancelled for 2020 it is scheduled to go ahead between May 29 and June 1 next year.

Aurora Wellbeing Centres provide support for cancer patients - including counselling, support groups and workshops and beauty treatments and therapies.

To donate to the Run The Wall campaign click HERE.