A COMMUNITY running club is set to virtually pound the pavements all the way to Greece and back after more than 60 members signed up to a gruelling charity challenge.

The Boxted Runners, a fitness group founded in 2017, are preparing to take to the roads, streets and trails with the aim of each clocking up 100km by the end of July.

The energised runners are tackling the mammoth run in aid of St Helena Hospice, which cares for people with life-limiting conditions and their families.

But since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the organisation has faced major fundraising shortfalls as a result of the closure of all its shops and cancellation of fundraising events.

Those taking part in the hospice’s challenge, entitled Make It Matter, will walk, jog or run either the 26-mile marathon distance of more than 42km or a whopping 100km.

When these achieved distances are combined, the running group’s members would have collectively run the equivalent of a 4,712km trip to Athens and back.

Catherine Davies, who has helped to organise the ambitious challenge and encouraged runners to sign up, said the club was looking forward to hitting the target.

“We’re really excited to be taking part in the Make It Matter challenge and we’re proud that so many of our members are taking part,” she said.

“We’ve got 62 signed up already and are hoping to make that 75 in the coming days.

“The hospice has a special place in Colchester life and it’s particularly close to some of our runners who have had family members use its vital services.

“Going the equivalent of all the way to Athens and back seems particularly appropriate for us as a running club as it’s the home of the modern Olympics.”

Catherine, who ran the London Marathon last year for the hospice, said people were still more than welcome to sign up to take part, which cost runners just £15.

So far, those fees have already collectively raised more than £900, and on their JustGiving page, £435 of the £1,000 target has been donated.

“We’ve not only got members running, they are also signing up people in their family to take part so it’s really positive as it’s encouraging beginners to take part as well,” she said.

“Hopefully we’ll raise more than £1,000, but who knows, it could be even more by the time we’ve all crossed our personal finishing lines.”

Sarah Phillips, who is a fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, welcomed the marathon efforts of the club.

She said the money raised by the group will make a huge difference to the lives of so many patients and their families across north Essex.

“We’re absolutely blown away by the support from the Boxted Runners for our virtual challenge Make It Matter,” she said.

“Our income has been severely impacted by the postponement of fund-raising events and activities and the closure of our shops because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Every single penny counts right now, and it’s so incredibly helpful to have groups like this behind us.

“With more than 60 members signed up plus with their fundraising target of £1,000 they are set to make a real difference to the patients and families we support, and help us to be here now and in the future for everyone who needs us.”

To sponsor the Boxted Runners’ efforts visit justgiving.com/fundraising/boxted-runners. To find out more about details about the Make It Matter challenge visit sthelena.org.uk/join-in/events/make-it-matter.