Harmonie-Rose Allen from Bath, who made headlines after surviving meningitis, will be one of the youngest people on the line up in this year’s Bath Half. The five year old was featured in national news broadcast after losing all her limbs to the illness. She now has prosthetics and has started primary school. She will be taking on the 13.1 mile course with a seven person support team including members of her family and teachers from her school.
She has already raised £710 for local charity, Time is Precious, and hopes to reach her goal of £1,300. The fund raising drive has been led by Harmonie-Rose’s aunt, Hannah, who had planned to run in last year’s race supporting Meningitis Now.
Last year’s race was cancelled due to bad weather, but will go ahead on 17th March this year.
Race director, Andrew Taylor, has suggested to local press that Harmonie-Rose would set a record as the race’s youngest participant. Speaking to reporters, he said: “We are highly supportive of Harmonie-Rose, her running team and the Time is Precious charity, which has a long standing partnership with the race. Harmonie-Rose’s story has touched us all and it is wonderful that we are able to support her and the team in their fundraising efforts. While UK athletics do have a legal age limit of 17 for anyone wanting to take part in a half marathon, we were able to waive the rules as she is technically not competing.”
