Rossendale council leader to take part in 10k run (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rossendale council leader to take part in 10k run

1:18pm Sunday 13th June 2010 in Athletics By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

COUNCILLORS in Rossendale are leading the way to support the debut of a major charity race for East Lancashire.

Council leader Coun Tony Swain and Coun Jason Gledhill, the leisure cabinet member, are both in training for the Jane Tomlinson Pennine Lancashire 10km.

The race, supported by the Lancashire Telegraph, which will take place in Blackburn on July 11, has attracted a host of high-profile entrants.

The valley pair were inspired to take part in the run, which it is hoped will be staged across the region in subsequent years, because of Jane’s bravery before her death from cancer in 2007.

Coun Swain said: “This is a great cause and a lot of the money raised will go to support local hospices and the Christie in Manchester. Both Jason and I are running for Rossendale Hospice.

“Although the race is in Blackburn, we hope that if it is a success we will be able to run it in other boroughs in future years, including Rossendale.”

Coun Swain, who lives in Haslingden, is managing director of his own IT consultancy in Rawtenstall. And Coun Gledhill, who works in the banking sector, represents the Longholme ward in Rawtenstall and lives in Loveclough.

The race follows in the footsteps of similar Jane Tomlinson events in Leeds, York and another new run in Hull.

Olympic hero Steve Cram supported the Pennine Lancashire launch, alongside Jane’s husband Mike and Yvette Livesey, widow of music and TV impresario Anthony Wilson.

To enter the race e-mail info@runforall.com to request a registration form or visit www.runforall.com for more information.