A runner from Abingdon is taking part in the 40th Oxford Town and Gown race to mark her 40th year.
This is Becky Allen’s first 10k race, and on Sunday, May 8 she will be fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Ms Allen has supported the muscle-wasting charity since she was a child as she has a family history of muscular dystrophy.
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This has motivated her to take part in the race.
She said: “I chose Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Oxford Town and Gown race because, like me, this event turns 40 this year.
“As it’s through the streets of my beautiful city of Oxford it felt like an excellent thing to do to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
“One of my mum’s cousins had Duchenne muscular dystrophy as her aunt was a carrier. I know that running is a privilege that many people with muscle-weakening conditions are unable to do. For that reason, it felt like a great cause to support during this race.
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“As a child I used to dance at the annual Muscular Dystrophy fete in the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon so there is a certain sense of satisfying symmetry as well.”
After taking up running during the lockdowns, Ms Allen, who works as a sales manager for a tour operator, found her mental health benefited massively and now enjoys regular runs in the park.
She added: “I love running, mainly for the positive effect it has on my mental health. It gave me real focus in lockdown and I surprised myself as I hadn’t really ever run before. I am a definite latecomer but the bug has well and truly got me. Now restrictions have been lifted, I have continued park runs three times a week.”
She has chosen to support Muscular Dystrophy UK to help people living with muscle-wasting conditions.
“Muscular Dystrophy UK does fantastic work,W she added. “I’m very happy to fundraise for them and I hope the money goes towards funding research into treatments and cures, or otherwise supporting people with the condition.”
Ms Allen will be supported by her friends and family on the day.
“My husband and sons and my parents will be there to cheer me on,” she added. “I also have friends who are taking part in the race and I hope we can all meet up for some celebratory drinks afterwards.”
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Jessie Keighley, event project manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, who organises the event, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Oxford Town and Gown’s 40th anniversary this year, and it’s wonderful Becky is joining these celebrations with her own 40th birthday.
"It’s set to be an amazing day with almost 5,000 runners signed up.”
Visit race-nation.co.uk/register/town-and-gown-events/oxford-town-and-gown-2022.
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