Well done to nine-year-old Freddie, who has recently completed a 7.5 mile run in memory of his grandad, and raising £110 for Time is Precious.
Freddie’s mum explains: “Freddie joined Westfield Running Club in April 2016 after his Gramp, Maurice Hoile, who was a popular sporting character in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area, spotted an advert for ‘Marathon Man’ John Reynolds, who was starting up a club.
“My husband, Ian, and Freddie joined the beginners class in April, and over the next six months, were regular members on a Wednesday night. As the darker nights approached, we felt it a little dangerous for Freddie, and he turned his attention to John’s Saturday afternoon hill reps club; becoming a popular little member and really enjoying challenging John to a battle to the top of the hill first!
“In November 2016, Freddie’s Grampy sadly passed away after a short illness, but Freddie vowed to run over seven miles in 2017 in his memory.
“On a cold January day, Freddie, along with his Dad, joined some of the Time is Precious Bath Half Marathon runners on a 7½ mile training run with a tough course set up by John Reynolds. Unfazed by the length, Freddie joined a small group of adults and at times, led the run, keeping up the pace and running all the way and even managed a sprint finish!
“Freddie’s Gran was so impressed and touched, watching this and knowing how proud her husband would have been, that she felt that this was Freddie’s ‘half marathon’ and gave him some sponsor money to start him off.
“Freddie wanted to try and raise £50 for Time is Precious, but was overjoyed with his final amount of £110. We are all really proud of him and feel this is a fantastic achievement for him at only nine-years-old.”