Members of Nigel Gawthrope's family to run in this year's Chariots of Fire
A team consisting of late Cambridge mayor Nigel Gawthrope's family members will be running in this year's Chariots of Fire, the region's largest charitable relay race.
As Nigel Gawthrope - who died in January while on holiday in South Africa - wasn’t able to carry out his intention of instigating and supporting a team made up of mayors and former mayors, Team Gawthrope - which describes itself as a "fun team, rather than serious, fast runners" - will be running for him at the event this Sunday (September 22).
Gawthropes in the team include Nigel's widow Jenny, his two nephews, Ben and Calum, Sarah Colwell (nee Gawthrope), her husband, Paul, and Jenny's goddaughter, Sara Brown.
Team Gawthrope will wear red braces and hats in honour of Nigel - and a few will hopefully be sporting red running shoes.
Jenny said: "We wanted to organise a team of mayors and former mayors, and for various reasons that hasn't come to fruition. And of course, with Nigel's death, we wanted to remember him.
"I decided back in April that I wanted to do something in his memory that was a fundraiser, so I put out a call for volunteers to run in Team Gawthrope - and I almost got two teams."
Jenny added: "Various friends and family, including Nigel's sister Amanda and brother Nick, will be down on Queen’s Green on Sunday."
On the decision to wear red items of clothing, Jenny said: "It's red for Labour [Nigel's political party], it's my favourite colour and then Nigel had those wonderful red shoes, which became a trademark - and we've got the red bowler hats, which he wore when he was at festivals and things."
Jenny says that the family plan to do more charity events in the future in memory of Nigel, and that his beloved Harley Davidson motorbike will be ridden in this year's Christmas Toy Run.
Businesses, colleges and fundraisers are ready to race in this year’s Chariots of Fire - organised by Hewitsons Charitable Trust - and some spaces still remain for teams to take part for those who have not yet registered.
Raising money for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), runners will be helping raise sponsorship to fund a specialist children’s ambulance service for the East of England.
To join in on the ACT, participants will need to enter a team on the Chariots of Fire website before 5pm today (September 18), or before registrations reach 380 teams - whichever comes first.
To register a team, visit chariots-of-fire.co.uk and enter your details. The cost per team entry is £150.
Chariots of Fire will be taking place on Sunday, starting at 9.30am.
The relay race sees runners following in the footsteps of the famous film, taking in the streets and colleges of central Cambridge.
Teams of six are entered and every team member runs 1.7 miles.
justgiving.com/fundraising/jenny-gawthropewood
