MORE than 2,500 fundraisers laced up their trainers this weekend for the annual British Heart Foundation Harewood House Half Marathon and inaugural 10k in a united front against coronary heart disease, the UK’s single biggest killer.

The British Heart Foundation Harewood House Half Marathon which started and finished in the in front of the stately home saw runners cover 13.1 miles and 10k through the Harewood estate to raise urgently needed funds for the nation’s heart charity.

BHF Running Event Product Manager Helen Wright said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the inclement weather conditions, everyone who supported our runners and all of our volunteers. Coronary heart disease is not beaten yet – it remains the single biggest killer in the UK and it’s because of your support, that we are able to continue our fight to find a cure.

“We would like to remind everyone why they stepped up to the start line, remember why you took part. Pounds lead to research, research leads to breakthroughs, breakthroughs save lives.”

The BHF has already raised £86,000 from the Harewood House event to help fund essential research which could create a better future for so many - from babies born with heart defects, to the millions of adults affected by heart disease. There are 7 million people living with cardiovascular disease and every day 435 will lose their lives to the disease in the UK.

The BHF is now urging everyone who took part to return their sponsorship, online or by setting up a Just Giving Page.