News

FLORA LONDON MARATHON, SUNDAY 13th APRIL 2008

H•E•A•R•T UK - The Cholesterol Charity - one of the two Official Charities of this year’s Flora London Marathon, raised more than £500,000 from its massive presence in the 2008 Marathon. Its Teamredlaces fielded more than 400 runners – all sporting the Charity’s distinctive red shirts and unique redlaces. Many other runners wore their redlaces too – helping to promote heart health and giving the country’s leading cholesterol charity an even greater presence in this international sporting event. Off the course, H•E•A•R•T UK was vocal too with its strategic cheerpoints encouraging its runners every step of the way and persuading fellow spectators to become part of ‘Teamredlaces’.

Teamredlaces member Katy Yarnall produced an outstanding performance yesterday and finished an amazing 29th in the women’s competition. Considering that this event is open to international athletes who were looking to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, her achievement is incredible. She also took 8th place in her age group too.

Diana Lipton’s completion of the course in 4:52.19 is also another great achievement for H•E•A•R•T UK as she has raised more than £20,000 for the charity. Her successful fundraising is all the more remarkable as she only decided to run the Marathon in late January so has become the Charity’s biggest fundraiser in just three short months.

Several celebrities were out on the course for H•E•A•R•T UK too. Setanta Sports News presenter Alex Hyndman and former England International swimmer and Commonwealth silver medallist Ros Brett successfully completed their first marathons and were proud recipients of a medal. “Superman” Melvin Crane did not break the record for the “Fastest Male Marathon Runner Dressed in a Superhero Costume” but exceeded his own expectations by running the marathon in under five hours.

Another H•E•A•R•T UK competitor, John Minter, was using his marathon run as a practice before he heads to Canada for the World Triathlon Championships. This 63-year-old, who suffers from
high cholesterol completed the course and is now looking forward to his next big challenge in Vancouver in June.

Carole Gryglaszewska, Head of Fundraising for H•E•A•R•T UK said after the event: “It has been an absolutely fantastic day and I would like to thank all of our Teamredlaces runners and supporters for making the Flora London Marathon 2008 such a wonderful event. We have raised more than £500,000 which is a remarkable achievement. The increased income and awareness of H•E•A•R•T UK and our focus on inherited high cholesterol (IHC) mean that we will be able to reach more of the 500,000 people with IHC that are at risk of early cardiovascular disease and fund research into improved detection and treatment of IHC.”

Michael Livingston, The Director of H•E•A•R•T UK, said “The 2008 Flora London Marathon has been the most exhilarating day in the history of this Charity. Members of Teamredlaces are wonderful ambassadors for H.E.A.R.T UK. I am so very proud of our runners and the hundreds of supporters including volunteers, runners’ families, Charity Trustees and staff who all pulled together to help “keep young hearts running”!


One person in every 100 suffers from Inherited High Cholesterol (IHC), yet for many it remains undiagnosed and a threat that can kill at an early age. However, early diagnosis coupled with a change of lifestyle, diet and cholesterol lowering treatment can ensure that people with IHC live full and active lives. Despite this, half a million people in the UK currently have undiagnosed IHC and are at risk of early heart disease. If left undetected, IHC can kill fit young people without warning in their 30s and 40s, sometimes even in their 20s.

If you would like more information on the work of H•E•A•R•T UK or Teamredlaces contact the charity on:
- 0845 873 9597 (Teamredlaces/marathon)
- 0845 450 5988 (helpline)
- 01628 777046 (business)
- or log on to www.heartuk.org.uk or www.redlaces.org.uk


See the photo gallery of the H•E•A•R•T UK - 2008 Flora London Marathon