Linda Franks Race

The next Linda Franks Race is provisionally scheduled for Sunday 18^th January 2026.

Almost Athletes has selected the Gloucester Hospitals Big Space Cancer Appeal as its charity partner for the race.

The biggest improvement from the planned development will be the area patients are treated with cancer in our tertiary centre at Cheltenham General Hospital. The building and rooms are dated, small and not fit for purpose for our clinics/ treatment centre. It would improve our current space and add on a new build to this to make a state-of-the-art centre with an outdoor area attached to our focus support centre, a new Acute Oncology Haematology unit (which is currently attached to the ward which becomes overcrowded) and multiple clinic rooms which are fit for purpose.

The 2025 event raised £654 towards the Cheltenham-based Caring for Communities and People charity. Many thanks for all who contributed through race entry and refreshment sales.

Almosts group photo from before this year’s Linda Franks race.

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Some Almosts taking part.

Race History

The Linda Franks Race is a 5-mile road race set on a fast two-loop circuit on largely quiet residential roads. Hosted by Almost Athletes (Cheltenham), the race commemorates the memory of a popular (and one of the original) members of the club who passed away suddenly many years ago. The race is typically held in mid/late January, on the Sunday closest to what would have been Linda’s birthday.

The race started out as a 2- or 4-mile fun run, with proceeds going to a local charity. Such was the success that it became an annual event and ultimately evolved into a measured, mile-marked and chip-timed, 5-mile race which now forms part of the county race series, whilst keeping to its original premise of being a race for everybody.

Now in its 30th year, the race proceeds have contributed to over £6000 for local charities, In addition to the charitable contribution from entries, all finishers receive a medal.

Prizes are also awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female finishers, 1st age category places, 1st male and female team plus, with the recent addition of wheelchair athletes, 1st wheelchair finisher. The presentations – as well as the race briefing beforehand – take place at the local Community Hall where hot and cold drinks and cakes are on offer.

The prior (January 2024) race raised over £650 for Heidi’s Heroes. Many thanks to all who took part and who gave generously at the cake sale.