RUNNERS DISCARDED CLOTHES TO BENEFIT OFFICIAL LEAD CHARITY

The 2019 Bath Half Marathon’s lead charity, The British Heart Foundation has pledged to collect the clothes runners discard at the start line on race day and use them to help fund research into heart and circulatory disease.

“It is standard practice for runners to wear a hoodie or sweatshirt and leggings while they warm up at the start of the race and then take them off and drop them by the roadside just before the starting gun goes off,” explains Race Director, Andrew Taylor. “We have always collected up the clothes and recycled them and this year our lead charity partner the British Heart Foundation has pledged to help us do that as part of their free collection service.”

The British Heart Foundation will also set up donation points in the Runners Village where runners and spectators can drop off any clothes or shoes on the day of the race. Other items such as books or CDs can be dropped off at its shop on Green Street in Bath, which is open seven days a week.

The BHF has over 730 shops and stores nationwide raise almost £30 million a year for the charity – turning unwanted goods into life-saving heart research.

Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at The British Heart Foundation added; “We are delighted to  be involved in this event and want to thank all the runners involved. Their clothes will help us raise much needed funds to help the 7 million people in the UK living with cardiovascular disease. We are always looking for good quality items and rely on the kindness of the public to donate to our shops and stores throughout the year, so please do remember us when you are having a spring clean.”

The Bath Half Marathon 2019 takes place on Sunday 17th March.