A Midlothian club is making another attempt to raise funds for mental health by holding a virtual edition of their annual 10k road race. The 2020 edition of Penicuik 10K was cancelled due to the pandemic, leaving Penicuik Harriers without a chance to fundraise for the mental health charity MYPAS through the provision of post-race refreshments. 

The club still did their best to raise funds – even without a race. Participants were offered the chance to donate their 2020 entry fees to the charity – which supports young people in Midlothian – instead of receiving a refund. 

This year, the Harriers will be holding a virtual version of the event – due to have been held on 8 May – in order to raise funds for Penumbra, one of Scotland’s biggest mental health charities.

The club also hopes to raise awareness of mental health and the positive contribution running can make to it by encouraging those taking part to ‘place an importance on their run and understand how valuable running is’. They also urge participants to run the distance with someone else, and, if possible, ‘spend time with them, talk to them and maybe go for a coffee afterwards’.

The club says: ‘We want runners to train for and run the distance knowing that they are helping and supporting others.’   

Entries to the virtual Penicuik 10K are limited to 500, and close on 28 April. Runners have 10 days in which to complete their runs, starting on 1 May 2021. Participants are free to choose their own routes, which may or may not include the actual 10K’s famous hill!

Penicuik Harriers are covering the cost of any (optional) medals sent out, so that all monies raised from entry fees will go in full to their chosen good cause. 

Penumbra supports around 1800 adults and young people all around the country. The charity works ‘to promote mental health and wellbeing for all, prevent mental ill health for people who are ‘at risk’ and to support people with mental ill health to live fulfilling lives.

Image courtesy: Penicuik Harriers