Spencer Matthews and Gemma Atkinson after the run
Spencer Matthews and Gemma Atkinson are just a couple of the celebrities who took part in the run against heart disease.
Over 4,000 runners, including a team of celebrity runners, descended on Blenheim Palace today for the BHF’s third annual Blenheim Palace 10k and Half Marathon in a united front against coronary heart disease, the UK’s single biggest killer.
The Blenheim Palace 10k and Half Marathon started and finished in the historic grounds of the World Heritage site and saw runners cover either 6.2 or 13.1 miles of the beautiful parkland landscape of the estate and surrounding villages to raise urgently needed funds for the nation’s heart charity.
Amongst the mass of 10k runners was ‘Team Hazel’, led by BHF Running Champion and Commonwealth Heptathlon Champion Louise Hazel. Louise, who has had a close connection to the charity since losing her father to heart disease, was joined by Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, actress Gemma Atkinson, opera singer Natalie Coyle and Kidulthood actor and director Femi Oyeniran.
On taking part in the BHF run, Louise said: “"It's been fantastic here at Blenheim Palace today. Running alongside thousands of other people all united in support of the same cause was a really special experience and one which Team Hazel and I won't forget.
"Having experienced first-hand what it is like to lose a loved one to heart disease I know too well how it devastates lives and how important it is that we all get behind the fight to put an end to the suffering it causes."
Before the 10k race set off at just after 11am, thousands of runners lined up for the first event of the day - the challenging Half Marathon. Louise led a warm up of all the runners before wishing them good luck for their run. She was then surprised with a birthday cake as today marked the BHF ambassador’s 28th birthday.
BHF Event Organiser Melanie Blackman added: “I would like to thank Team Hazel and all of our wonderful runners, everyone who supported our runners and all of our volunteers. The atmosphere on the day was electric and everyone was very much united behind an important cause.
“Coronary heart disease is not beaten yet – it remains the single biggest killer in the UK and it’s because of your support, that we are able to continue our fight to find a cure.”
The BHF hopes to raise over £175,000 from the Blenheim Palace 10k and Half Marathon to help fund essential research which could create a better future for so many - from babies born with heart defects, to the millions of adults affected by heart disease. Coronary heart disease is responsible for nearly 74,000 deaths each year; that’s over 200 people dying every single day.
To find out how you can join the fight and get involved in a BHF event, visit bhf.org.uk/events.
Tagged in Gemma Atkinson Health Spencer Matthews Heart Health