Local Man attempts 56-mile road race to help heroes

A runner from Woodbridge is raising money for wounded service personnel.

Richard Smith, 47, will be competing in the South African Comrades 56-mile road race on May 24 to raise money for the charity Help For Heroes.

Mr Smith is a member of the Woodbridge Shufflers running club and he recently completed his 150th race when he took part in the Hastings marathon. He has run five marathons and now he is training for what is the world’s toughest road race.

Mr Smith said: ‘‘Soldiers from Rock Barracks, near Woodbridge, have been wounded while serving for our country in Afghanistan and Help For Heroes helps men and women like them. What I will have to endure in a 56-mile race on undulating terrain in the heat with strict time limits pales into comparison with what they have to put up with in a six-month tour of duty.

‘‘The Comrades has a history dating back to the first world war, very few English people run it, and up to 25% of runners fail to complete the race within the time limits.’’

Ufford Park hotel and golf club has made a substantial donation to pay for Mr Smith’s training costs.

A Coffee Morning will be held by Mr Smith and Les Binns, mayor of Woodbridge, from 10am to noon on Friday April 3 at the Shire Hall, Woodbridge, to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Anyone who would like to make a contribution to the charity can go to www.justgiving.com/richardsmithofufford.

Cheques can be made payable to Help For Heroes and sent to Richard Smith, 3 Lady Cottages, Church Lane, Lower Ufford, nr Woodbridge  IP13 6DS.