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University of Bath Student Puts on Her Running Shoes for Charity
Crossing the finish line of a half marathon is a huge achievement, and it becomes even more impressive when the runner is really not that sporty at all.
Such is the case with Chloe Chan, a 19-year-old second-year student at the University of Bath, who on Sunday 12th March will be hoping to complete the 2017 Vitality Bath Half Marathon for the first time.
“Being an extremely non-sporty person, family and friends will know that participating in this 13.1-mile run is a huge milestone for me,” admits Chloe. “I am so looking forward to the race and hopefully, after my training, I will cross the finish line of my first half marathon with a big smile on my face.”
Chloe’s motivation for running what has become one of the most popular road racing events in the UK stems from her involvement in various events at university, particularly student volunteering. Since starting her second year at Bath, Chloe’s highlight has been becoming the Chair of the University of Bath Student Volunteering Team (V Team) and President of University of Bath HKPASS (Hong Kong Public Affairs and Social Service Society).
As the Chair of V Team, the community volunteering group that runs activities to benefit the local community, Chloe will be running the Vitality Bath Half for the University of Bath Students’ Union Volunteering. To mark the special occasion of the university celebrating its 50-year anniversary, V Team will form part of Team 50, alongside 100 other staff and students from the university, to raise money for a number of worthy causes close to home and further afield. This year all money raised by V Team runners will go to the charity Cry in the Dark, which supports a Romanian hospice caring for orphans.
It is clear that Chloe is highly motivated about her roles at the university as well as her training for the Bath Half. “Undeniably I have more workload and pressure, but it also gives me more motivation to work harder and remind myself how blessed I am,” she says. “Bearing the identity as a representative of student groups and also as an international student has made me determined to step out of my comfort zone and run for a good cause. I hope to leave a footprint on this amazing community which has welcomed me and given me a wonderful experience while studying abroad.”
Although it will be first time that Chloe puts on her running shoes, it won’t be the first time that she experiences the thrill of the Vitality Bath Half Marathon. In 2016 Chloe helped at the Bath Half as a marshal and was able to sense the excitement and scale of the event first-hand.
“Witnessing people from all walks of life and of all ages complete the half marathon inspired me to maybe give it a go and do my first half marathon,” she recalls. As she trains on the streets of Bath for the event herself, Chloe is certainly a great example of how you can achieve your dreams with a little determination, and how you can help others less fortunate.
Chloe’s target time for the race is 2 hours 45 minutes and her fundraising page is www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/chloechan.
The Vitality Bath Half Marathon is one of the top three single day charity fundraising events in the UK and a fantastic platform for charity fundraising. The event raised over £2.2 million in 2016 alone, and this year will support 130 official charities. The University of Bath Students’ Union Volunteering is a Silver Bond charity and further details of the charity can be found at http://bathhalf.co.uk/charity/bath-rag/.
The Vitality Bath Half Marathon boasts a stunning two-lap course straddling both sides of the River Avon. It is renowned for its brilliant atmosphere and for being fast and flat, ideal for athletes of all levels including beginners and charity runners. Each year the race attracts a strong British elite field and a large number of celebrities who are attracted by the stunning setting, fantastic crowd support and the promise of a good finishing time.
General public entries for the 2017 Vitality Bath Half Marathon have now sold out, but anyone wishing to run can still do so for one of the official charities.
Cancer Research UK is the Lead Charity for 2017, with Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens the official Family Fun Run Charity and Dorothy House Hospice Care the official Local Charity.
Go to www.bathhalf.co.uk/charities for further details about running for charity, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/BathHalfMarathon and follow @bathhalf #bathhalf on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news about the Vitality Bath Half Marathon.
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