The Hanley parkrun Half Marathon

In case you are worried by the title, this isn't a parkrun rebellion against the 5km Saturday morning challenge. We just wanted to let parkrunners know about a special event happening in and around Stoke-on-Trent over the next two weeks, which joins up with Hanley parkrun on Saturday 7th April 2012.

Phil Thomas, also known as the 6 Towns Runner, is a Hanley parkrun regular. He is currently preparing for the incredible challenge of running 12 half marathons in 12 days around the highways and byways of the 6 towns of Stoke-on-Trent and surrounding villages. His efforts are in support of the Donna Louise Children's Hospice and if you want to know what has inspired him to take on this challenge, read his very moving blog post: Can you remember when you first saw the sky?

On day 11, he'll be running his half marathon for that day around the Hanley parkrun course. He's planning to start at around 7am and lots of the Hanley parkrunners will be there to support him as he runs laps of the parkrun course. Some parkrunners will be completing the half marathon with him, others just a few extra laps of the park. Some people will just be there for support and others will complete the regular parkrun with him as he completes the half marathon distance.

And as its Easter Saturday, there may be a few Easter Eggs hidden around the course for eagle-eyed runners to collect as they complete the parkrun.

If you'd like to support the 6 Towns Runner or you're interesting in trying out Hanley parkrun, then Saturday 7th April would be a great day to come for a visit. It might be a little bit different than usual, but you are welcome to join the 6 Towns Runner for the Hanley parkrun Half Marathon. Don't forget to register for parkrun if you've never taken part before. Fancy dress optional - but you know its more fun when you take part in a parkrun dressed as a chicken, bunny or Easter egg. Just ask the Huddersfield Running Bunny!

And if you'd like to read more about the 6 Towns challenge, and offer encouragement and support as the half marathon miles clock up then there are lots of ways to keep in touch:

- The 6TownsRun*2 website and blog contains details of all the routse for the 12 half marathons: http://www.phil-thomas.co.uk/index.html
- Follow on Twitter: @6TownsRunner (https://twitter.com/#!/6townsrunner)
- Like on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-6-Towns-Run-X-2/104178359617729

Watch out for the 6 Towns Runner and hope you can join us at Hanley parkrun soon,

LizT