800 join Blenheim Bolt run

7:44pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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More than 800 people took part in the 10km Blenheim Bolt run today to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Organisers estimated the event, which saw people run, jog and walk round the grounds of Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, raised £30,000.

Margaret Morley walked the course just over a year after having surgery to replace a heart valve at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford.

The 70-year-old, from Minster Lovell, raised more than £150 as she walked with two other members of the Witney cardio-rehab class, held at the Windrush Leisure Centre.

She said: "The British Heart Foundation have given me my life back, so I was only too pleased to do it. This time last year I couldn't walk more than 50 yards but since I got the new valve I'm much better."

BHF spokesman Hayley Meachin said: "It was an absolutely glorious day. The support of local people has just been fantastic. We're really pleased that so many turned out to support us."

The race was won by Oxford University graduate Tucker Murphy.