Runners will be taking to streets and parks across the region this weekend (16-18 October) as the 2020 Redbrik Half Marathon Virtual Events take place, offering entrants the opportunity to claim a medal despite ‘real’ event’s cancellation.

Organisers of the Redbrik Half Virtual Events have invited runners across the region to cover the equivalent distance of a Half Marathon, 10km or five miles before then engaging with the event on social media in order to claim a 2020 Redbrik Half medal, after the in-person event was cancelled earlier this year due to Covid-19.

Entrants into the 2020 Redbrik Half Marathon and Five Mile Run who have deferred their entries to the 2021 RedbrikFoundation Chesterfield 10k will receive a medal upon completion of the Virtual Events, as will all those who have entered the 2021 Chesterfield 10k.

Runners can also enter the Virtual Events alone for a one-off fee of £10 by emailing info@chesterfield10k.com.

The event is calling on the local community to come out and support Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, the event partners of the Redbrik Half Marathon. Both charities are due to miss out on huge amounts of funds usually pledged by those running in the Redbrik Half – an event which has raised more than £150,000 for good causes to date.

John Timms, Event Director said: “We’re really looking forward to the Redbrik Half Virtual Events – they represent a great chance for those who have missed out on the 2020 Redbrik Half Marathon experience to still claim a medal.

“It’s a fun but safe way of getting involved with the event, and also a crucial chance to raise funds for brilliant charities such as Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, both of which have missed out on huge amounts of funding due to the cancellation of events because of the pandemic.

“It won’t quite replace the incredible atmosphere of the Redbrik Half Marathon, but it is our chance to give back to those who supported the event since its inception three years ago, and those who have already pledged their support for the RedbrikFoundation Chesterfield 10k.”

Mark Ross, Managing Director of Redbrik Estate Agents, said: “I noticed how well-received the Virtual London Marathon was recently, particularly when it came to participants still receiving race numbers and medals, so it’s fantastic that the RedbrikHalf Marathon will provide a similar experience despite the ‘real’ event’s cancellation.

“Running an event, albeit virtually, is a brilliant way to generate much-needed funds for great causes such as Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, both of which do so much to support the local community.

“We’ve been proud to support the Chesterfield Half Marathon for the last three years and can’t wait to see people take part in this year’s virtual events.”

A key supporter of the Redbrik Half Marathon’s Virtual Events is Chesterfield business Pronto Paints, a leading industrial paint manufacturer.

Pronto Paints Managing Director, David Beckford, said: “With the ‘real’ 2020 Redbrik Half Marathon being called off for obvious reasons, it’s all the more important for local people to get active and stay healthy, both physically and mentally.

“To that aim, this fits with our company ethos of continuing to support the health and wellbeing and physical activity of the community, so we’re really looking forward to seeing people take to the streets across the region and can’t wait to see medals being awarded for all those who take on the Virtual Redbrik Half Marathon.”

Entries are being taken for both the 2020 Redbrik Half Virtual Events and the 2021 Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k. To enter or for more information, visit: www.redbrik.co.uk/events.

As its name suggests, the Redbrik Foundation will be a new charity partner of the 10k event, alongside Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The Redbrik Foundation is a newly formed charitable trust which will support a number of local organisations each year, primarily seeking to enhance the lives of children and young people, the elderly or vulnerable and those with disabilities.