Finally!! Sunshine and just as importantly, heat!
I’m sure that blankets, jumpers and central heating have been in use longer than usual. The sea temperature in the Solent is taking longer to get to a place on my thermometer that is likely to tempt my toes to enter the water…but it is showing promise.
From a running perspective, the tights, hats, gloves and mid layers can finally be stored… can’t they? Fingers crossed for a spell at least of the warm stuff. How did you lot spend the final days of Winter/Spring? Have you emerged from that seasonal slump yet?
Annual Memorial Run
Our running club were able to bring smiles to Stokes Bay with a couple of events; the first, organised by Gosport Road Runners, was their annual Memorial Run which is an opportunity to run as a club to Stokes Bay where a minute silence is observed in memory of lost friends and loved ones. This year, the Road Runners invited other clubs to join them and the 545ers gladly took them up on their invitation, meeting old friends and possibly even making new ones. It was a nice touch and a moving occasion.
Gosport Golden 24
Our own club of 545ers filled the gap left by the absence this year of the Gosport Golden Mile by arranging for a 24 hour Golden Mile Challenge to take place on our glorious promenade.
In short, this was a free event, sanctioned by Gosport Borough Council that allowed anyone to run 1 or more miles over a 24 hour period.
Purely a personal challenge which was free to enter, although donations on behalf of GAFIRS and the Diving Museum were accepted.
Our club members (and a member of the GAFIRS team) staffed Run HQ for entire 24 hour period, recording everyone’s efforts and being available as 1st Aiders.
As you can imagine, although for some, simply completing a single mile was a realistic challenge, for others, the bar was raised higher. Four of our members ran throughout the 24 hour period and were spoiled by a stunning GosVegas sunset and sunrise.
Tony Ryan, who many won’t recognise as he is usually dressed in costume, completed 50 miles dressed as Garfield! Duane Kelly and Miles Van Der Lugt completed 40 each and were joined by birthday girl Annette Thorn who also completed 40 miles… I mean, how else would you celebrate a birthday?
There were so many personal achievements that I can’t name them all but there was lots of family involvement and a fantastic community atmosphere.
To the GG24 event organiser and volunteers
Credit and Bravo Zulu’s all round to organiser Dave Kitching and his wonderful team of volunteers, especially Emma Smith (loaned to us by Gosport Bootcamp UK) who remained awake and resident in Run HQ throughout… and it only cost me a bacon sandwich!
Almost £1500 was raised over the 24 hour period which GAFIRS and the Diving Museum will share but more than that, the camaraderie and sense of community is why the Gosport Golden Mile was created in 2012.
We are blessed to have so much to celebrate in Gosport and our promenade is just a small (Golden) part. We now have to persuade Mr Kitching to repeat his effort next year.
Did you take part? What do you think…more in 2025? Let us know and we’ll work on Mr. K.
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.
On a personal note, this will be the last instalment from myself as I finally accept that our club deserves someone younger to take the reins, and I have the absolute satisfaction of knowing that the incoming Chair and his teammates will continue to provide an opportunity for anyone who wants to enjoy running.
Nick Carter
Chair
Absolute 545 RunClub
