BUDE RNLI Lifeboat has revealed that its annual ‘Lifeboat Run’ event has raised thousands for charity.  

The annual running event, organised by Bude RNLI, in partnership with local running club, Bude Rats, sees competitors take on six and a half miles of multi-terrain racing, with juniors tackling a one-mile race.  

With almost ideal weather conditions on June 12, competition was fierce but friendly as racers prepared to show their pacing prowess. Organisers, volunteers, supporters and spectators watched not only the strongly contested races but also runners battling to beat their own personal bests. 

The two junior competitions set off in waves, based on school years, to run the 1mile course following a safe route along Bude's cycleways and canal towpath. 

In total, 43 schools were represented in the junior race and the much sought after ‘School's Trophy’, donated by Bude Rats (Run and Tri), was won by Kilkhampton Junior and Infant School, with 16 per cent of pupils taking part. 

With stiff competition from the juniors, the senior runners were not about to let the side down, with  500 entrants getting stuck in for the senior race. 

Spectators cheered as the race was won for the second year running by local Bude runner Joshua Benford of Bideford AAC. Meanwhile, the ladies race winner was holidaymaker Jennifer Badger of Prestwich AC. The first three winning runners in both the male and female categories were presented with RNLI trophies. 

Thanks to the event, £7,000 was raised for the RNLI.  

Having acted as the event’s main sponsor for the past for years, a spokesperson for Bott Ltd said: “We are passionate about community support and working with charitable organisations from around the local area of our various sites. With our manufacturing site being situated in Bude, our employees and their families rely on the RNLI to provide their service, keeping our community safe in local waters.  

“We are proud to have supported the Bude Lifeboat Run once again, especially in this significant year marking the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI. What a great event!”