The annual Apperley Quarter Marathon (AQM) was held on a sunny Sunday, 25^th September, at 11.00 a.m. starting. and finishing at Apperley Cricket Club. With registered entries of 420 runners and another 60 entries for the Kidithon, the car park was soon overflowing.

Each year the AQM supports a charity by giving it half the profits generated at the AQM together with any donations received. This year the charity was Bowel Cancer UK which received £3,346 (a record). The profit balance was shared amongst local community groups: Primary School PTFA, Apperley CC and Deerhurst Parish Playing Fields Association.

The help of many kind volunteers made this event a resounding success, too many to mention here and many who are not directly attached to the community organisations. However, we must sincerely thank a few, not least the runners, and the organisers for the excellent marshalling of the course, control of the three water stations, erection and dismantling of the necessary facilities at the Cricket Club and advertising banners, teas, bar and BBQ, Countryside counter supply and sales, distributing the end of race medals, cakes and water (especial thanks to the very kind cake makers), car park control, SARA first aid, Kidithon organisers and the excellent compère on the microphone.

This year we were especially grateful to the three sponsors who stepped in when our sponsor dropped out in early September: Jan Lawry of JLawry Healthcare Management, Kevin Keegan of Cheltenham Flooring Services Ltd and Ian Stacey of Cheltenham Building Supplies Ltd. Their wonderful support helped meet the growing annual expenses of the event.

The continued kind cooperation of the landowners in allowing the event to be run over their property is very much appreciated: Ben & Laura at Apperley Court, Kay at the Coal House, Steve Topham, Kenny Samuel, Will & Tim Morris and Deerhurst PCC

Next year it is expected that the AQM will be held on Sunday 24^th September. The charities being considered are the Stroke Association UK and Vale Community Hospital, Dursley, where so many Gloucestershire stroke patients receive high quality care.

Again, very many thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make the event so successful.