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In July, as part of Ward’s ongoing Let’s Smash Some Goals campaign, a 29-strong team of enthusiastic Ward Athletes took to the track for Cancer UK’s Race for Life 5K, at Derby’s Markeaton Park.

Ward Ambassador Dan Egner was the team’s main organiser, arranging a Couch to 5k challenge eight weeks before the race and setting up a Ward Athletes Strava Group and WhatsApp Group to share progress and keep people inspired and motivated.

In addition to generating over £6,600 for cancer research, with Ben Crosby raising over £1000 individually, three Ward athletes were among the top five finishers on the day. Billy Millership came third with an impressive 20 mins 29 seconds, Donald Ward clocked in 20 mins 58 seconds to take fourth spot and Dan Egner took fifth place with a time of 21 mins 30 seconds.

However, the real result is how many Ward Athletes have been bitten by the running bug and are keen to carry on with other runs, including a 10K and half marathons, thanks to Dan’s support.

Having only started his running journey last year, Dan has experienced multiple benefits from the sport, including a staggering 4.5 stone weight loss and improved mental health and fitness, which he wanted to share with his colleagues. Earlier this year, he and Donald Ward completed the London Marathon, and Dan is keen to keep progress his running, having already booked in for the Nottingham Half Marathon in September, another half in Manchester in October and next year’s Manchester Marathon in April.

Dan said: “The positivity and legacy have been the best part for me. We have staff who have never really run before this now taking on more 5ks, a 10k and Half Marathons but also quite a few who are now just running regularly, which is brilliant and great for people’s health and wellbeing. Levy Machon and Ben Crosby have lost two stone during the training to. A fantastic achievement for both.

“People are continuing to use the Strava and WhatsApp group and, hopefully, we can get another group of ‘Athletes’ to join us in the future. We also have an unofficial motto that we close out all our posts within the group ‘We Got This!’ and seeing everyone’s commitment and drive, it couldn’t be truer.”

Donald Ward said: “The teamwork and camaraderie on the day were fantastic, it’s certainly been one of my best days yet and Dan played a huge part in making that happen.

“Beyond the fantastic fundraising pot and notching up another achievement for our Let’s Smash Some Goals! campaign, we’ve introduced a new wave of Ward Athletes to the joys of running and its many benefits – it’s a great result.”