A run to support fundraising for Cinderford British Legion and the Poppy Appeal returned at new venue.
The Red Petal Run, organised by the Cinderford branch of the Legion, took place at Beechenhurst on Sunday (October 18).
It had to be moved from its usual venue of Mallard’s Pike because forestry operations were taking place.
The run was officially either 5km or 10km but a calculation error by an online route planner shaved about a kilometre off the distance.
Before the run started, Geoff Jones of Cinderford British Legion recited The Exhortation which begins: “They shall not grow old…”
The run also marked the 20th anniversary of Armed Forces Day with the event’s logo featuring on the wooden medals presented to each finisher.
Runners faced a challenging course with the route around Beechenhurst more hilly than the usual one at Mallards Pike.
Mark Evans of Cinderford British Legion said: “The aim for us is to publicise the work of the Royal British Legion, raising funds for the branch, and also for the Poppy Appeal.”
The event has it roots in 2017 when a few members of the branch took part in a Poppy Run.
That developed into the Red Petal Run which is an event open to all.
Mr Evans said: “With it being a new venue we had to come up with new routes which was a challenge.
Beechenhurst is the same sort of height as Mallards Pike but the gradients are different.
“Beechenhurst is a lot more hilly so its quite a challenge for the runners.”
“Numbers are slightly down this year which is disappointing but we have a lot of returning runners.”
The Poppy Appeal is launched across the Forest this weekend.
The Lydney branch is having a launch event at its headquarters in Hill Street on Saturday morning.
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