Run Wigan Festival raises £28k for charity despite coronavirus cancellation

The fourth annual Run Wigan Festival was due to be held in March, but was postponed until September due to the outbreak.

But with restrictions still in place this month, organisers at charity Joining Jack announced it would have to be cancelled. Instead, people were invited to run by themselves over the same distances as the races they had entered – either a half-marathon, 10 miles or 5km.

They could then submit evidence of their run from a GPS tracker, photos or videos and were sent medals for completing the distance.

The charity has now confirmed that the money collected in registration fees and sponsorship topped £28,000, which will fund research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Alex Johnson, who set up Joining Jack with husband Andy after their son Jack was diagnosed with the condition, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed that the Run Wigan Festival has raised such a fantastic amount.

“We were heartbroken not to be able to hold the event this year. We love seeing everyone come together for Joining Jack, but the fall-out from the pandemic has meant we have been unable to stage any of the charity’s three mass participation flagship fund-raising events in 2020.

“It has been an outstanding effort by all our wonderful supporters and means as a charity we can continue to invest in the ongoing research for all boys living with Duchenne. Thank you so much from Jack and everyone at Team JJ.”

While it was the first time the entire Run Wigan Festival had been held in this way, runners who had signed up for the 2018 half-marathon were invited to complete it virtually when it was cancelled due to ice.

The charity’s two other large fund-raisers had to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic – Wigan Bike Ride and Wigan 10k – but they were also held virtually. Wigan Bike Ride saw people cycle 50 miles in July and they raised £10,000 for Joining Jack.

The virtual Wigan 10k is currently taking place, with runners asked to submit proof of their own 10k run by October 31 to receive their medal.