Doctor to travel from India for Shifnal Half Marathon

Doctor Mukesh Birla from Indore, India will be running in the Shifnal Half Marathon on June 25 to help raise funds for Bloodwise.

The race is now in its thirteenth year and the doctor said he is intrigued by Shifnal Half Marathon and its motive to spread awareness about leukaemia by supporting the charity- Bloodwise.

Doctor Birka said: “I have been running half marathons in India but it doubles the joy when there is a cause associated with it. I am very excited and looking forward to Shifnal and want to help in every possible way to make a difference to leukaemia sufferers”.

The race is organised with the support of the Shifnal community who volunteer to marshal the route and man the water stations.

All surplus funds are donated to charity which have included Hope House, Teenage Cancer Trust, West Mercia Search and Rescue with the main beneficiary being Bloodwise as it is a cause close to the heart of race organiser, Gareth Morgan.

The idea for the race came to him while marathon training in 2002 and follows a rural route between the churches of Shifnal, Ryton, Beckbury and Kemberton before returning to Shifnal and finishes at Idsall School Sports Centre which is the race HQ.

Gareth said: "The race has been almost ever-present since 2003 but is now competing against a number of other half marathons at this time of year. The race remains small and friendly but would welcome entries so it can raise funds for good causes”.

Entry forms are available on the Bloodwise website bloodwise.org.uk/shifnal-half- marathon and more information can be found on the Facebook page Shifnal Races.