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Signs, smiles and sunshine as thousands enjoy running festival

Vanessa PearceWest Midlands
BBC A smiling Kerry McGinty holds a sign reading "Run like super Frank Lampard runs CCFC"BBC
Kerry McGinty said she was supporting her sister and brother-in-law, Erin and Christie O'Toole, with a Coventry City-themed sign

Thousands of runners and spectators enjoyed Coventry Running Festival, with another day of sunshine in the city topping off a momentous weekend.

The event, organised by charity Run For All, included a half marathon and a 10k race and saw thousands of pounds raised for charity.

It was "an incredible atmosphere from start to finish", said organisers.

"Runners, volunteers, and supporters all coming together to make a real difference," they added.

Daniel Masters said he had raised more than £500 in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

"My dad suffered prostate cancer last year, but he's all clear now," he said.

"But I just wanted to raise as much as I can for an amazing cause, it affects a lot of men."

He added: "My dad means an awful lot to me and it was hard seeing him go through it, so anything I can do to help."

His father Mick said: "I'm so proud of him. It takes a lot of dedication to do it."

Daniel Masters with his family ran for Prostate Cancer. Dad Mick is recovering from prostate cancer and raised more than £500
Daniel Masters raised money for Prostate Cancer UK after his dad, Mick, was diagnosed last year

Local athlete Martyn Brunt said he had been running the Coventry race for over 20 years.

"It's my home city, I like to support local races," he said. "I love this course, it's great, and the atmosphere is always fantastic.

"I like to wear an old Cov shirt every year... I'm still a bit hungover to be honest with you, so I'm not expecting much from today."

A family holds up a sign saying "go Ava"
A dad and son dresses as Minions

Half marathon runners set off at 09:00 BST from Cox Street in the city centre, before heading out into the Warwickshire countryside.

The 10k participants began at the same place at the slightly later time of 09:30, following a similar but shorter route to the north west of the city.

The route took them past the Wave Waterpark and Moseley Avenue Park, before finishing at Coventry Cathedral.

A group of friends, some of whom are wearing medals around their necks. Two are holding up signs - one reads "no one likes a quick finisher" another reads "where the hell is my husband what is taking him so long".
Many held up signs in support of friends and family running
(L-R) Fredrica Arhinsah, Elihome Gebregiorgis, Swad Abdella and Colette Macdonald all wear purple tee-shirts with an image of their friend Afaf Ahmed.
(L-R) Fredrica Arhinsah, Elihome Gebregiorgis, Swad Abdella and Colette Macdonald said they were running in memory of their friend Afaf Ahmed
Lee McGhie is wearing a light and dark blue top with Lee and the logo of mental health charity Mind on. He has a beard and is also wearing a blue tutu
Lee McGhie was raising money for the Mind mental health charity
Yanick Maseko wears a velvet Sonic the Hedgehog costume
Yanick Maseko channelled the energy of Sonic the Hedgehog during the race
Monica Sahota (pictured centre) is flanked by Anjali Nandra on her right. She is olding a sign reading "Go Monica Go" and on her left Nisha Nandra has a sign saying "I't almost time for Nando's"
Runner Monica Sahota (centre) was supported by frinds Anjali and Nisha Nandra
Isobel Lockley is wearing a blue vest and pointing to a badge on her chest. She is smiling and wearing a number badge for the Coventry half marathon
Isobel Lockley was running to raise money to help start up a boxing club for women in Leamington Spa

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