Thornton and Cleveleys runners race to remember fallen Battle of Britain heroes

Thornton Cleveleys Running Club are getting ready to race in remembrance of Battle of Britain heroes virtually, as it approaches its 80th anniversary.
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Members of the running club, based on Butts Road in Thornton, were due to take part in the RAF's Spitfire 10k in both London and Cosford on August 30.

But due to social distancing, the race will now take place virtually up until September 15, with more than 2,500 runners from around the world completing the 10k in their own areas.

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The first Spitfire 10k event was held five years ago, and this year runners will race to commemorate the fallen heroes of the Battle of Britain on its 80th anniversary on September 15.

Graham Saunders, Lynn Shaw, Louise Morrall and Dawn Saunders will run the spitfire 10k virtually before September 15, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Photo: RunPhotoRunGraham Saunders, Lynn Shaw, Louise Morrall and Dawn Saunders will run the spitfire 10k virtually before September 15, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Photo: RunPhotoRun
Graham Saunders, Lynn Shaw, Louise Morrall and Dawn Saunders will run the spitfire 10k virtually before September 15, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Photo: RunPhotoRun

Members of the club who will compete in the 10k are Graham Saunders, Louise Morrall, Dawn Saunders, Gary Parkinson, Dave Young and Andrea Feeney.

53-year-old Lynn Shaw from Thornton is also running the 10k, and her 12-year-old son Zachary, a Hodgson Academy pupil, will take part in the Spitfire family run.

Lynn said: "We're all running for someone who lost their life in the Battle of Britain, and we know their names so it's been really nice to be able to learn more about them.

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"We have their ranks, names and squadron. I was looking forward to going to London for the race, but I'm glad that we are still able to do it virtually.

12-year-old Hodgson Academy pupil Zachary Shaw is taking part in the Spitfire 10k family run to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Photo: RunPhotoRun12-year-old Hodgson Academy pupil Zachary Shaw is taking part in the Spitfire 10k family run to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Photo: RunPhotoRun
12-year-old Hodgson Academy pupil Zachary Shaw is taking part in the Spitfire 10k family run to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Photo: RunPhotoRun

"It's my first time doing the 10k so I'm really excited. Some of us have decided to run from the Spitfire at Fairhaven Lake in Lytham down to Hangar 42 at Blackpool Airport."

Lynn and some her fellow runners visited Hangar 42 last weekend, to give them an insight into the realities of fighting on the ground and in the air during the Battle of Britain and the Second World War.

"Staff at Hangar 42 were incredibly accommodating when we visited to have photos taken, nothing was too much trouble for them," Lynn added.

The Spitfire 10k is still accepting applicants to run 10k before September 15. To register visit the RAF Museum website here.