Charity fun run for the Boaz Project features fancy dress and inflatable chickens

The Boaz Fun Run at Hill Farm, in Sutton Scotney, saw participants take part in chip-timed 10km and 5km races. Other highlights included a donkey walk and fancy dress.

Members of the Ratcliffe family dressed as a flock of inflatable chickens. One runner bounded around the trail dressed as an archbishop while another donned a fluffy, yellow cockerel costume.

Thankfully, everyone taking part and cheering on friends and family did so in brilliant sunshine with the sound of Riverside Concert Band, hot food and bespoke medals to lift spirits.

The Boaz Project supports adults with learning disabilities to do meaningful work on the land. Activities include looking after a flock of free-range, egg-laying chickens, tending a large allotment garden and donkey walks around the scenic farm.

Stuart Palmer, manager of Boaz, paid tribute to all who had worked hard to make the day a success. He said: “It’s always a great family atmosphere with live music and home cooked food, but this year the race was bigger and better, thanks to Andover-based Muddy Runners, our race co-ordinators and sponsors Simply Health, Pole to Pole Marquees, Mozzo Coffee and Winchester Auto Barn.”

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Ethan Harvey and Jess Howell were the first to finish in the 10km men’s and women’s race respectively. Meanwhile the 5km race was won by Luke Munden and Caroline Sutton. It was the fourth time Luke, a member of Boaz, has clinched the 5km race.

Among those taking part was 89-year-old Tony Palmer, the oldest runner this year, and father of Boaz manager Stuart. Mayor of Test Valley Borough Council Alan Dowden, accompanied by his wife, Cllr Celia Dowden, started the walkers, joggers and runners. Before participants set out, Amanda Doig, a personal trainer turned make-up artist, led a short, fun warm-up.

Two gold cups for exceptional effort in memory of former Boaz member Alastair Scales were among the prizes awarded by Jono Harvey the ‘Running Reverend’  of St Thomas’s Church, Fair Oak. Aimee and Amelia, both members of Boaz, won the trophies. Alastair’s sisters, Gwen Von Der Decken and Shirley Scales, who attended the fun run, said it was a fitting tribute. Shirley said: “Alastair had a lot of trophies. He liked all sports.”

For more information on the Boaz Project see www.boazproject.co.uk.