Newport's January Jog raises over £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support
A charity race in Shropshire which attracted hundreds of runners has been hailed the best yet by organisers.
The sixth annual January Jog, which held in Newport on Sunday has already raised more than £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, with money still pouring in.
Rachel Cooper, Shropshire fundraiser for Macmillan, said it costs £191 a day for a specialist nurse and pledged all money raised would stay within the county.
Ian Kevan, one of three organisers, said he hoped the total figure raised would top £4,000. "We've already collected more than £3,000 from the entrance fees and donations on the day but I know there is still sponsorship money to be collected.
"We are also one of the charities in the Waitrose Community Matters scheme this month so there will be some more money coming from that.
"In the present climate it's fantastic. I honestly think it was the best Jog yet. The number of people we had competing and the number of spectators cheering people over the line was just great."
Around 430 people took part in two races, one over 2.5km and one 5km.
The oldest competitor was in their 80s and the youngest was just four-years-old.
Mr Kevan is used to organising big events as he was in charge of arranging international athletics meets with about 6,000 spectators while he was a PE instructor at RAF Cosford in the 1980s and 1990s.
He said: "We'll have to make the Jog bigger and better next year."
Miss Cooper said the event had become a key day in Macmillan's diary.
She said: "It's getting bigger and better every year. It's just terrific. Every £5,000 raised pays for about 25 days of nursing, so this money will go a long way to providing care for cancer patients."
