Woolston mum to run town half marathon for charity close to heart

Thirty-year-old Rachael Staunton will step up to the starting line at Bank Park along with thousands of others, hoping her challenge will raise money for the charity she devotes her time to – Christian Aid.

Rachael works as an engagement coordinator for the international charity, a job that she ‘loves’.

“I think using our abilities and skills to support others less fortunate than ourselves is a really important thing to do in the current global climate, and something more of us should be doing to make the world a fairer place,” she said.

No stranger to a challenger, Rachael has several half marathons under her belt but has still kept to a strict training routine in the lead up to the Warrington Running Festival – which will commence this Sunday.

Rachael will run the Warrington half marathon for her chosen charity Christian Aid (Image: Supplied)

“I’ve done Chester and Tatton before, as well as a few 10ks here and there but this is my first time doing this one,” she said. “I managed to run my last half marathon in just over two hours and this time I’m hoping for something similar – but I’ll be happy to make it over the finish line in one piece without needing to walk at all.”

An avid runner, the mum-of-two said the sport gives her time outside of everything to ‘process her thoughts’.

“I enjoy running and the sense of accomplishment I get from completing a challenging route,” she added. “I have two young children, aged two and four, so sometimes it’s nice to get out and have a couple of hours being ‘just me’.”

Her training regime includes longer runs on Saturday mornings, and shorter runs throughout the week.

Rachael’s goal is to raise between £200 and £300 for Christian Aid by completing the marathon.

Concluding, she added: “After this, I’m most looking forward to being able to spend my weekend mornings with the children again – and maybe a lie-in – but also being able to run just for enjoyment without the time pressure of an event.”