This Is Guernsey

Two thousand females turned up at Foote’s Lane on 20 May to run - or walk - the Race for Life. Gemma Hockey reports, with pictures by Steve Sarre

RACE FOR LIFERS will smash the £140,000 target if they collect all the cash that has been pledged this year.

The 2,000 female participants, who ran or walked the 5km course in glorious sunshine to raise money for cancer research, have already pledged £155,000.

Women and girls of all ages flooded into the Foote’s Lane athletics track yesterday for a warm-up and the 11am start of the race.

Hundreds ran in memory of family members or friends who have died from, are fighting or have survived cancer.

Organiser Carly Gibbs said remembering loss and celebrating life were important aspects of the race.

‘It’s fantastic to have so many people here,’ she said.

‘All 2,000 people have turned up and we have had loads of spectators supporting them around the entire course.

‘The weather has been brilliant, which always helps with the experience on the day.’

Miss Gibbs called for a one-minute silence before the runners set out.

‘Standing on stage reading all the messages during that silence is very moving - it reminds us why events like this to raise money for cancer research are so important.

‘There are girls out there as young as five who are taking part in memory of their own parents and that is very emotional.

‘I know for a fact that one woman taking part has just finished having chemotherapy and yet she is still here to support other people.’

She said the support this year had been outstanding.

‘This event would just not take place without the help of Beau Sejour, the running club, the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service and the Sea Cadets, who have been handing out water and goodie bags as the runners come through the finish line.

‘If the £155,000 that has been pledged by the runners is sent in, we will smash this year’s target of £140,000.

‘One out of every three runners do not return their sponsorship, which makes a huge difference to the pledged total, so it’s important to get that money in as soon as possible.’ Ladies’ College student Sarah Mercier claimed first place in the race for the second straight year.

The 16-year-old, who completed the 5km course in 18 minutes and 48 seconds, said it was one race in which winning was just a small part.

‘I think it’s so important to raise money for cancer research because charities that are fighting this terrible disease need all the support we can give them,’ she said.

‘I’m running for my two grandpas, who both died of cancer, and I think it’s important that people take the time to remember why they are running.’

Dressed in a bright-pink fairy costume, 35-year-old Emma Bihet, supported by her mum, ran in memory of friends and family who have died from or survived cancer.

‘My godmother, Maddie Collivet, died on New Year’s Eve 2004 so mum and I ran the race in 2005.

‘Since then mum has had hip problems and was unable to take part today, but I’ve come kitted out in my fairy costume because this is one of the things I feel I can do to help in the fight against cancer,’ she said.

‘We still miss Maddie very much,’ said the fund accountant.

‘She used to joke with mum about how the pair of them would grow old and senile together, but unfortunately she left us when she was in her early 70s.

‘The work that’s been done through cancer research into samples taken from Guernsey women is testament to the fact that we can fight cancer and must continue to raise funds,’ she said.

Receptionist Jo Harris, 37, a member of the ‘Dolly Mixtures’ team, ran in memory of her grandad.

‘There are five of us who have come to take part in the race,’ she said.

‘We have named ourselves the ‘Dolly Mixtures’ because we are all different ages but are here for the same reason - to raise money for cancer.’

Team member Jill Tetlaw, 61, ran the race with her daughter, Hazel, the head teacher of St Sampson’s Secondary School.

‘In a moment of madness last year I agreed to take part and the girls have rallied around to make sure we all do it together,’ she said.

‘I’m taking part in memory of my father and a good friend of mine who is fighting breast cancer at the moment.’

Teachers and students from Blanchelande Girls’ College took part in support of teacher Lilian Hamilton.

PE teacher Michelle Oesterman said it was great to see that so many of the girls were supporting their teacher.

‘We have been training for about four months and when your muscles start to ache during the race, there’s no way you can complain after reading the messages on some of the women’s backs who are still fighting the disease themselves,’ said the 32-year-old.

Sisters Carol Salmon and Julie Trustum took part in memory of their mum, who died in 2003.

‘We have done it every year since,’ said Mrs Salmon, whose daughter, Melissa, was also taking part.

‘We just feel we are doing our bit for cancer research.

‘The majority of people are here because someone important to them has died of cancer.

‘Between the three of us we have raised about £200 and we make sure that our sponsorship money is returned every year,’ said the teaching assistant.

Dawn Godfrey, 42, and her daughter, seven-year-old Laura, said they had been quite overwhelmed by some of the messages pinned to the runners’ backs.

‘We are taking part in memory of Laura’s grandfather, who died in his 70s,’ said the trust and administration worker.

Island FM presenter Richard Harding kept the runners enthused over the loudspeaker and even took part in the pre-race warm-up.

‘I have to say I had my first go at shimmying today and I wasn’t very good,’ he said.

‘This is an emotional day and I have never seen so many Guernsey women in one place at the same time all coming together for the same cause - it’s quite moving.’

Retired doctor Helen Bradshaw, 64, who ran the London Marathon last month, completed the route in 28 minutes.

‘This is a fantastic event,’ she said. ‘There is a really great atmosphere and everyone is running for a special reason.

‘It can be quite moving to see all the names and messages on people’s backs.

‘It’s quite an emotional thing to see people running who are actually suffering from cancer at the moment.’

Article posted on 21st May, 2007 - 12.00am