Peterborough's Great Eastern Run expects 5,000 runners

The Great Eastern Run was first staged in Peterborough in 1982

Roads closing, runners descending, and thousands lining the streets are three things expected for one of the UK's flattest half marathons. Peterborough's Great Eastern Run will see some 5,000 entrants for the 31st edition of the event on Sunday.

The half marathon has taken place in the city every year since 1982, except in 2020 and 2021 as a result of Covid restrictions, and in 2019 due to a security scare.

Some of those who have been in training have spoken about why they are undertaking the challenge.

'I'm fighting with my mum'

Kathryn Lusk (left) has been training for the race with her friend Emma Coleman (right)

Former Peterborough United women's team manager Kathryn Lusk said she would not be running for charity if it was not for her family.

The charities she is fundraising for are The Posh Foundation, Alzheimer's Society, and Parkinson's UK.

"All three charities are meaningful to me, and some need more exposure and funding to be better than they are now," she said.

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Mrs Lusk said her mum was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a disease in the brain that causes uncontrollable movements, in 2019 and it was something "really close to my heart".

"I can't change it for her and... the older I get, the even more I want to do that for my mum, but I can't," she said.

The 35-year-old from Oundle in Northamptonshire added that running in the race was an "acknowledgement from me to her that I'm fighting it with her".

In her family, people have also died with Alzheimer's - the most common cause of dementia in the UK.

"It's quite an empowering thing to actually do for others, and there's definitely a close place in my heart for it because of those affected," said Ms Lusk.

"I can't changed what's happened or what conditions they have, or take it away, but it's my way of doing something proactive."

'My dad would be proud'

Richard Ostler said training was "definitely a challenge"

Richard Ostler has been training since June for the run and is doing it to raise money for the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough.

He said his dad died earlier this year and spent his final days there.

"They provided 10 days of palliative care... we didn't realise before how important a charity like that can be for [the] end of life," he said.

"I've been looking for something that was a challenge for me personally... to raise money for some of the people who've been supporting him."

The 47-year-old, who lives near Huntingdon, said training was "definitely a challenge" but his dad was a "motivator" when he was not feeling like running.

"I think he would be proud of what I'm doing," he added.

'It's a good challenge'

Stefano Bonvini and his daughter do parkrun together on Saturday mornings

Stefano Bonvini ran the Great Eastern Run in 2022 for the charity Little Miracles and has decided to do the same again this year.

"I found it was a good exercise and a good challenge. For me, it's the maximum stretch I can do," he said.

He said he enjoys doing a Saturday morning parkrun and sometimes does them with his 11-year-old daughter Annabella.

"My youngest daughter is severely disabled and Little Miracles is this charity that helps children... they provide support and you can take other children who are not disabled [to their activities]," he said.

The 43-year-old moved to Peterborough from Italy six years ago and Little Miracles has provided activities that his children have participated in, such as canoeing, picnics, and fairground visits.

Mr Bonvini said he hoped the money he has raised would help the charity "carry on with these activities that they're doing and supporting disabled children".

His children also "think it is a good cause", he said.