Is anyone ready for Summer yet? I know that the rain is needed to resupply our flora and fauna but winter also brings with it the high winds, darkness at either end of a working day and sewage discharges.
Well, that was a cheerful opening wasn’t it?
The good news is that the hours of daylight are getting longer, blossoms are starting to think about blooming and the layers required to go for a run are becoming fewer.
Food Bank Run
Before we even think about Spring however, our running club were able to do our bit for the Food Bank Run, a national initiative that is the brainchild of a fellow runner, Sarah Donaghy of Fareham Running Club. With food banks running low on essentials due to an increasing need for their services, we joined with local charity Acts Of Kindness in November and again last month to raise donations (and awareness) for local folk who may need a helping hand. It also reassures those who fall on hard times that people really do care.
It’s fitting I think that the Food Bank Run should have received a national award as the idea has seen running clubs, groups, and events up and down the country, all get involved which must help enormously.
Harbour Cancer Trust’s London Marathon Charity Entry
As well as these donations, our club raffles off an entry into the London Marathon that is donated by Harbour Cancer Trust. There is a requirement to raise a minimum amount of funding as a return, but with the help of Gosport Rotarians and their Christmas Pud 5K, our lucky athlete Vikki Mackman has hit her minimum target which has allowed us to give our support to fellow club member Paul Withers, who has also taken a charity entry on behalf of Harbour Cancer Trust, and is also looking at ways to raise sponsorship that will support this wonderful, local good cause who are an invaluable lifeline to those affected in any way by this disease.
These two athletes have had little choice but to get out in whatever Mother Nature throws at us so that they can get the necessary training done to ensure that they complete their challenges in April come race day. A Marathon is definitely no fun if you haven’t trained for it.
Fortunately for them, those extra hours of daylight and the occasional break in the wind and rain will make their jobs just a little bit easier.
Paul and Vikki have had rather fetching vests and T-Shirts produced so that they are recognisable as their training continues. If you feel able to give their efforts a boost, Paul’s link is attached below.
Need a little running company?
If anyone reading this needs a little company on their runs or is even contemplating starting, check out our training diary, which will give information on where and when we meet.
Until next month, stay safe and if you see a 545er out for a run, say ‘Hi.’ We’re friendly if nothing else.
Nick Carter
Chair
Absolute 545 RunClub
