Riv's Runners unite for race in memory of Viola Beach guitarist

Sharon Dunne, from Grappenhall Heys, was one of around 35 runners pounding the streets of Warrington to raise money in memory of the talented musician under the name of Riv's Runners.

The 46-year-old completed the half marathon on Sunday in 2 hours and 12 minutes – despite missing training in recent weeks to help organise a charity concert at Priestley College.

Sharon, who also ran in the 5k race two days earlier, said: "I hadn't run in around two weeks because of RivFest.

"But I kept seeing the Riv's Runners T-Shirts and it would take my breath away that someone has decided to help the foundation and help keep Riv's memory alive.

"I felt like I had superpowers and I couldn't stop.

"There was a rainbow and everyone kept saying that it was Riv looking down on us from the sky."

Viola Beach and their manager Craig Tarry tragically died in a crash in Sweden in February 2016.

But before their deaths they had taken the music industry by storm with gigs booked everywhere from the Parr Hall to South by Southwest festival in Texas.

In the wake of the tragedy, River's family vowed to keep his legacy alive and set up the River Reeves Foundation which provides bursaries for young people who want to build a career in the arts.

More than £1,600 has been raised by runners so far with donations still rolling in.

Along the route, runners were entertained by live music on two RivFest stages while participants took part in a Viola Beach wave at the start of the race.

More fundraising challenges are already planned for the next 12 months with Kim Kelly and Gill Glover vowing to complete three marathons in two weeks in Manchester, London and Boston.

"I have run a marathon before so I know how physically demanding the training is," said Sharon.

"So I am blown away by what they are doing and how much they want to help – people have been awesome."

There is also time to sign up to Riv's Runners virtual run. Click here.

To donate click here.