HCR Hewitsons, Magpas Air Ambulance and RunThrough Come Together to Celebrate the Launch of Chariots Of Fire Event with Local Dignitaries in Attendance
Cambridge, UK: On Thursday, April 11th, at 6 pm, HCR Hewitsons, Magpas Air Ambulance and RunThrough gathered at the HCR Hewitsons office on Station Road in Cambridge for the launch of this year’s Chariots of Fire event. The reception welcomed twenty esteemed guests, including notable figures such as the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Jenny Gawthrope Wood, and her consort, along with Chariots of Fire founders, Bill Matthews and Jeremy Francis.
Also in attendance were Inger Anson, the head of HCR Hewitsons’ Cambridge Office and Trustee of Chariots of Fire, along with Colin Jones and Adam Finch, Trustees of Chariots of Fire. Lucy Chapman, Director of Fundraising at Magpas, and Daryl Brown, CEO of Magpas, joined the gathering, along with staff and supporters.
The evening marked the official announcement of this year’s Chariots of Fire event, scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, on Queens’ Green in Cambridge. RunThrough, the UK’s largest and Europe’s fastest-growing running events company, will organise this year’s race, continuing the legacy of the 31st Race of Chariots of Fire, founded in 1991. HCR Hewitsons has been running this well-established, road-closed relay for over 30 years, raising over £1.5million for charity. Runners will weave through the historic city centre and iconic University colleges, with each relay team member completing one loop of the 2 mile course before circling back.
All proceeds from the event will be dedicated to Magpas Air Ambulance, the official charity for this year’s Chariots of Fire. Magpas Air Ambulance provides lifesaving hospital-level healthcare to accidents and critical situations across the region, operating 24/7. The charity aims to raise £100,000 to support the continuation of its vital services.
Magpas Air Ambulance Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Lucy Chapman commented, “Magpas Air Ambulance is excited to be the beneficiary charity of the iconic Chariots of Fire race through the heart of Cambridge for September 2024. Having cared for the population of Cambridgeshire for over 50 years, the money raised through the event will help us continue to pioneer pre-hospital emergency medicine in the region and save even more lives. It was fantastic to meet everyone involved at the launch event at HCR Hewitsons Cambridge offices on Thursday, and experience the shared passion to raise as much money as possible for our local lifesaving charity.”
Colin Jones, Partner at HCR Hewitsons said, “Chariots of Fire just keeps getting better and better each year. We’re as excited for this September’s event as we were for the first 30. The launch evening buzzed with team spirit and enthusiasm, and we have a strong feeling that this year’s fundraising for Magpas will be a great success.”
Rob Sullivan, Race Director at RunThrough commented, “We were delighted to attend such an inspiring launch event for Chariots of Fire. The turnout and enthusiasm from attendees, including esteemed guests and supporters, truly set the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary event. We’re excited to see the community come together in support of Magpas Air Ambulance and look forward to a memorable race day on September 22nd.”
The launch event featured speeches from Colin Jones, Daryl Brown, Madam Mayor, and Bill Matthews, highlighting the significance of the event and its charitable cause.
As preparations for the Chariots of Fire event get underway, HCR Hewitsons, Magpas Air Ambulance and RunThrough are united in their commitment to making this year’s race a memorable and impactful occasion for the Cambridge community. Registration for the event is open here. RunThrough invites runners of all abilities to join this spectacular relay and be a part of a memorable day in the heart of Cambridge.
To request media entry for any RunThrough running or multisport events please contact Jamie Dellimore via the below email address.
For Further Information
Press Contact: Jamie Dellimore, RunThrough PR & Comms Manager: [email protected]
About RunThrough: RunThrough is the UK’s largest and Europe’s fastest growing running events company, holding 240 events with 250,000 individual runners entering an event this year. RunThrough sits under the GW Active parent brand that also encompasses the RT Kit, RunThrough Trails, Swim Bike RunThrough as well as flagship events including Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon, Surrey Half Marathon, Alton Towers Resort 10km and Half Marathon alongside the full calendar of events. RunThrough’s mission is to inspire a more active nation through running and the provision of quality, inclusive event experiences for runners of all ages and abilities and to be a leading voice within the endurance and mass participation industries. The organisation was founded in 2012 by Matt Wood and Ben Green, two former international runners from the north-west of England with a dream to share their passion for running to inspire the nation.