Radio presenters Jay Hynd and Claire Simonsen sign up to join Clatterbridge Cancer Research Chick Run

Apr 4 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

RADIO presenters Jay Hynd and Claire Simonsen will join the runners and walkers at Clatterbridge Cancer Research’s Chick Run later this month.

The Radio City breakfast duo will don chicken suits to get participants revved up and ready to race before running the 5k course themselves.

The Chick Run, in association with Wirral News, takes place in Birkenhead Park on April 22.

Jay said he had rallied a group of friends and family to help him with sponsorship.

He told the News: “Claire is a runner, I’m not, but I’m giving it a try; it’s such a terrific cause.

“Before the start we’ll be in the crowd egging on the runners and walkers and getting them ready to take part.

“Everyone knows someone who’s been touched by cancer. Raising the money is really important but the fun on the day and the atmosphere is worth it too.”

It’s not the first time the presenters have teamed up to help the Wirral charity. Late last year they hosted a midnight candle walk for Clatterbridge Cancer Research and Claire House at Sefton Park in Liverpool.

Among the youngest walkers at the event will be little Oscar and Isobel Sandow from Oxton, accompanied by Clatterbridge Cancer Research director Catherine Sandow and her husband Sam, a consultant anaesthetist.

Oscar, 4, and Isobel, 2, who attend Birkenhead School and Birkenhead School Nursery, were given a chance to try out their chick costumes ahead of the event.

Catherine said: “We’re not quite sure how they’ll do but we’re fully intending to complete the course.”

The Chick Run is a non-competitive event, so you can choose to sprint, run, jog, walk, stroll, or even take your dog along – but everyone taking part must wear one of the fancy dress chick costumes provided.

All runners will be given a chick costume when they register. Children aged five and under go free, but need to provide a fancy dress costume.

Everyone taking part must register in advance – visit www.chickrun.org or call 343 4300.