Sun shines on 21st Silchester Fun Run
The sun was shining throughout the day for the 380 runners who took part in the 21st Silchester Fun Run on Saturday, April 29.
The annual event raises funds for the local community and this year, most of the money raised will go towards rebuilding the Silchester Sports Pavilion which was damaged by a fire last year.
There were three races on the day. A two-and-a-half mile route for mixed ability runners, families and walkers, a multi terrain five-mile route and a technically challenging seven-mile route.
The seven-mile race was new for 2023, and the route goes along the village’s historic Roman walls and through Benyon’s Enclosure, an area of woodland on the nearby Englefield Estate.
After the run had finished, participants treated themselves to an assortment of street food from curries and naan breads to chillis and jacket potatoes.
The Silchester Village Market was present on the day, with over 50 stalls selling local produce and craft items, and the day also saw the launch of The Silchester Story, a book on the history of the village written by three local residents.
One of the fun run organisers Steve McAvoy said: “It was a great day and we are very grateful for all the runners and the marshals.”
He made special mention of the 60 volunteers who helped out on the day. “Without them, we couldn’t have done anything,” he said.
In the two-and-a-half mile race, the boys under 12 winner was Casper Morris and the girls under 12 winner was Darcy Eldridge.
In the five-mile race, the boys under 16 winner was Kian Mayoh, the men’s winner was Edward Buckley and the ladies’ winner was Emily Faulkner.
Mr Buckley was also the winner of the Andrew Chandler Cup, awarded to the fastest villager in the five-mile race.
The men’s over 50s winner in the five-mile race was Chris Furness and the ladies’ over 50s winner was Dianne Cartwright.
In the seven-mile race, the men’s winner was Mark Saunders and the ladies’ winner was Kate Robson.
The men’s over 50s winner in that race was Craig McNeil and the ladies’ over 50s winner was Heather Pascoe.
