A FUNDRAISING 10km race to help injured servicemen and woman take part in extreme sporting challenges has been hailed a success.

Although organisers of the first Catterick 10k, on Sunday, February 16, do not yet know how much money has been raised, they said the feedback from the 250 runners was that the event was friendly, fun and well organised.

The route started at Help for Heroes recovery centre Phoenix House, Catterick Garrison, taking runners north along the A6136, onto Sandbeck before turning left onto Hudswell Lane, cutting onto Brokes Lane, and back onto the A6108, though Spring Wood and Throstle Gill on Plumer Road.

Runners then turned onto Hudswell Road West to head back to the centre.

Mark Airey, strength and conditioning coordinator at Phoenix House, said the event was very well received and he was very pleased with the turn-out.

The aim was to raise around £2,000 to support Team True Spirit, the Help for Heroes endurance events team set up to aid recovery through sport.

He said: “It was a fantastic atmosphere, very friendly and everyone said it was a challenging route as it was very hilly.

“We have plans for another 10km run in September as well as another next year, and hopefully we will also set up a half marathon – there are not many big road races in the area so it’ll be great if we can make it a regular thing.”

Mr Airey founded Team True Spirit in 2010. 

He said: "The Catterick 10k will help raise funds to enable them to take part in Ironman UK in 2014 and the 2015 Enduroman Arch to Arc, which is a triathlon from Marble Arch in London to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris."