Publication Date: 03-03-2023 09:00
Bellway sponsors Kent’s longest running half marathon
Dartford-based housebuilder Bellway Thames Gateway is playing a key role supporting this year’s Dartford Half Marathon.
The developer, which has its divisional headquarters at Crossways Business Park in the town, is one of the sponsors of the race on Sunday 5 March, having donated £1,000 towards the event’s running costs.
The 13-mile race, which starts and finishes at Central Park, is organised by volunteers who are members of Dartford Harriers Athletics Club – including Bellway Thames Gateway plot sales coordinator Stacy Taylor.
Stacy has been a member of the athletics club for about 30 years and has been a coach for the past decade.
She said: “Dartford Harriers Athletics Club, which celebrated its centenary year in 2022, is so grateful to Bellway Thames Gateway for sponsoring this year’s Dartford Half Marathon. The event completely relies on volunteers from our club and any support really helps to make the day a great success. The race also has a great history.”
The first Dartford Half Marathon was held in 1977, with the first race being won by Steve Ovett, who was a last-minute entry after an airline strike forced him to miss a scheduled event. He would later go on to win 800m gold in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Today, Dartford Harriers Athletics Club has a total of 654 members, ranging from five to 80 years of age from around the Dartford area.
Stacy said: “I took on the role of coach about 10 years ago as we were struggling with a long waiting list of kids and no-one to coach them. So along with my two sisters, we did our coaching course and are all still coaching today.
“I have a group of about a dozen 11 to 18-year-olds and we train once a week on a Tuesday evening. I also train twice a week, mostly throwing the hammer but do a bit of running as well.”
Sophie Price, the club’s Community and Events Committee Member, added: “Thank you so much to Bellway for the sponsorship of the Dartford Half Marathon. This support makes such a difference, and we are really appreciative.”
The 2023 Dartford Half Marathon will be on Sunday 5 March starting at 9.30am at Dartford Harriers Athletics Club, Central Park, off Cranford Road in Dartford. Entry is open to runners of all abilities, with details on how to enter available at https://www.nice-work.org.uk/races/dartford-half-marathon.
For more information about the new homes Bellway is building in Dartford and the wider area, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway.
