Articles

#RunForJo

Ben Fraser

When our friend and MP Jo Cox was killed, we immediately began talking about doing something in her honour. Jo was very fond of the outdoors and was keen to come along and try the parkrun at Oakwell, though she never had the time. We wanted to make a special event around her birthday, and so #RunForJo took shape.

 

Batley Community Choir will kick off the day at 9:00am, with a special warm-up too before the family fun run gets underway at 9:30. This is a 2.5k loop through the woods and park with music from Honley Samba and surprises on the way! Dogs are welcome too…

 

The cross country challenge starts at 11:00am, 6k-ish off the beaten track, round woods and fields, paths and cobbles, uphill and down. Runners will see a totally new side to Oakwell on this route, and can join a birthday party at the finish, which includes Claudio Kron’s samba ensemble and Bare Brass Band.

With a mascots race at 13:00 and lots of music, food stalls, cake, and a bar in the barn provided by local brewer Steve Hemingway of Cleckheaton’s very own Mill Valley Brewery.

 

‘More in Common Batley & Spen’- a non-political group from a diverse range of backgrounds – is chaired by Jo’s sister, Kim.  ‘More in Common, Batley & Spen’ is dedicated to ensuring that Jo’s memory and values live on.  Jo believed in equality, tolerance and humanity and that people should work together to create safe and cohesive communities to provide a better future for ourselves and our children.  We are planning a number of activities to engage people in building stronger communities and celebrating all that we have in common. #RunForJo is part of this.

 

 

P.S. Eddie Izzard is coming to RunForJo 😉

 

 

Sign up and #RunForJo: https://runleeds.co.uk/running-events/runforjo-2017/