“I’m doing it for my dad,” “In memory of my nan,” “I’m doing it for my auntie.”
These are just three of the signs many people had attached to the back of their red t-shirts this morning in Regent’s Park. On the front, they wore a number.
According to the staff at the register bench, around 1500 participants signed up to take part to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) run today. Despite the low temperatures and a light, chill breeze blowing, people started to gather around 9am in preparation for the pre-run for either the 5k or 10k run starting at 10.30am.
Part of a series of marathons taking place this year in London as well as in other cities – both in and outside the UK –, Regent’s Park’s marathon is helping fundraise research against heart disease; which according to the charity, is UK’s “single biggest killer”.
So seemed to prove the signs many wore on their back, remembering their loved ones who lost their life because of heart diseases.
Camila Tomaselli, 36, is no exception. “My grandparents,” she said. A bottle of water offered by the staff of the foundation held in her hands, she was still slightly panting after her 5 kilometers run. “I think it’s a great way to have fun and help other people at the same time.”
According to BHF, staying active by engaging regularly in physical exercise along with a healthy eating plan, is one of the ways to prevent heart disease later on in your life.
“My boyfriend is running,” said Sophia Smith, 25 “He’s mostly doing it for fitness. He doesn’t normally run 10 kilometers marathons, but he’s training a team that is also participating today.
“People wear these t-shirts even after the event, when they go to the gym, or take fitness classes – so I think that these events are a great way to raise awareness and fundraise. They have more longevity than just one day.”
According to the NHS, every year in the UK there are around 100,000 cases of heart attack, with coronary heart disease resulting in more than 70,000 deaths just in 2011.
British Heart Foundation, created in 1961, has been funding medical research for the past 50 years, giving donations to researchers all over the UK even up to £200,000 per team.
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