CHRIS Hooper, 52, from Cambridge, is no stranger to the Bidwells Cambridge 10k, having taken part several times before, but he is returning this October as the official race starter.
Chris supports the event in memory of his wife Donna, who lived with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), and to support others living with a muscle wasting condition. While he’s unable to participate this year due to an injury, on Sunday, 5 October, Chris is taking on the role of official race starter for the Cambridge 10k, which will see thousands of people running through the streets of the city. The money raised from the event will go to Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for more than 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting conditions.
Chris’s wife Donna lived with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), which affected the function of her nerves, leading to muscle weakness. She was diagnosed with the condition when she was four years’ old and sadly died in 2008, aged 29. Described by Chris as a ‘force of nature’, Donna was keen to maintain her independence throughout her life and give back to others, and he supports Muscular Dystrophy UK in her memory.
Explaining why it’s important to him to get involved and support Muscular Dystrophy UK, Chris said:
“Donna and I met in 1999 and married five years later. People often say that they live life to the full, but this was genuinely true of Donna. She had a profound impact on everyone she met and, despite needing an electric wheelchair and mobile ventilation via a tracheotomy, she never let her disability define her. I saw the difference the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK made to Donna and other people she knew living with a muscle wasting condition – helping them to live life to the full. I hope that by supporting the charity and the Cambridge 10k, I can help others to receive the same support.”
Chris took up running in 2009, shortly after his wife died and has taken part in the Cambridge 10k for the last few years. The event is particularly poignant for Chris as it takes place each year around the anniversary of Donna’s death (12 October).
Chris said:
“When I started running, I entered various events for a range of charities associated with Donna. I live in Cambridge, so there was no question that I would take part in the 10k for Muscular Dystrophy UK. It seems fitting that I do this for Donna in her memory. If I can support the charity so that they can help others to fulfil their potential, then I think she’d be proud.
“It was a huge privilege to be asked to be the official race starter for this iconic event, and I’m honoured to be involved in this way. I wasn’t sure at first – I’m just an average guy. But then I realised it wasn’t about me, it’s about the memory of Donna and she was anything but average!
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone taking part in the Cambridge 10k, especially those who are fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK. You’re going to smash it! There’s always an amazing sense of community on the day, and the feeling as you cross the finish line is unbelievable. Everyone is excited to be there, and the shouts of encouragement around the course really do spur you on. It doesn’t matter if you sprint the whole 10k or, like me, have to walk in parts. What matters is the charity and improving the lives of the individuals it supports.”
The Cambridge 10k is now in its 14th year, and there is a sister event in Oxford, which takes place every May. Organised by Muscular Dystrophy UK, the event series started in Oxford in 1982, inspired by a local boy, Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy. His father and local runners set up the event as a fun run to raise funds for muscular dystrophy, and still to this day, all profits go to Muscular Dystrophy UK. The two events attract thousands of runners each year, helping to raise funds and increase awareness of muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
Jessie Keighley, Events Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said:
“We’re honoured that Chris has agreed to be our official race starter for the 14th Cambridge 10k. This is a real community event, and as well as attracting seasoned runners, it’s great that it appeals to a wide range of people, including those with a close connection to the cause. Whether participants have a personal reason for supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK or not, I’m sure that having Chris there to officially start the race on 5 October will inspire everyone. Thanks to Chris and the thousands of people taking part, we can continue to fund groundbreaking research and be there for the children and adults living with muscle wasting conditions, and their families, across the UK.”
The Bidwells Cambridge 10k offers a closed-road route through the heart of Cambridge, taking in historic city sights, with chip timing and an event village. Money raised will go towards funding groundbreaking research and life-changing support for people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
Find out more about the Bidwells Cambridge 10k at: www.musculardystrophyuk.org/
Find out more about Muscular Dystrophy UK at https://www.
