Christine Morton, 59, celebrates at the finish. (0581269)
A MEXICAN wave followed by a mass countdown heralded the start of yesterday’s Race for Life at Foote’s Lane. Some 1,800 women set out on the five-kilometre course to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
About 750,000 were expected to take part in the nationwide event from which the charity hopes to raise £50m. to fund research into prevention, treatment and cure of the disease. ‘Last year’s event in Guernsey raised £98,000 and we are hoping that this year’s total will be £107,000,’ said event manager Carly Gibbs.
‘The sponsorship money raised per head in Guernsey tends to be much higher than it is elsewhere.’ This year’s event included a reflection area where women who chose to run with the names of loved ones they had lost to the disease pinned on their back could display the sign afterwards.
Some 30 minutes before the start, a mass aerobics session took place for runners at one end of the track. The oldest participant was 82-year-old Edna Hallam, who was competing for the third time while the youngest entrant was Maelle Hancock, aged nine months.
First across the finish line was athlete Sarah Mercier in 19min. 36sec. but Miss Gibbs said the day was more about money than minutes or miles.
It had been a real community event, she said, and everybody had been pulling together.
The Guernsey Sea Cadets provided trackside assistance while firefighters handed out medals and water at the finish.
The Guernsey Island Amateur Athletics Club provided race marshals and the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service looked after the trackside administration for the fifth year in a row.
They ensured people without labels or safety pins had their prayers answered.
‘We enjoy being a part of the whole thing and it’s a great atmosphere,’ said WRVS emergencies team leader Cherry Armitage.
‘Carly can’t be everywhere and we have lists of all the runners.’
The WRVS also looked after goods donations. Runners were asked to bring unwanted clothes, books, ornaments, CDs, DVDs and the likes, which will be sold in the charity’s UK shops.
Items were bagged up and Miss Gibbs said it was estimated that nationwide about £30 would be raised from each bag. In 2007, this had added £3m. to the total.
The event began nationally in 1994 and yesterday’s was the 10th in Guernsey.
More than 260 races are expected to take place nationwide between 3 May and 27 July. More than £200m. has been raised in the 14 years by 3.4 million women runners.
Miss Gibbs said the police had been fantastic by organising a general road closure of the route for the first time.
In the build-up, Race for Life patron and TV and radio presenter Gloria Hunniford, who lost daughter ex-Blue Peter presenter Caron Keating to the disease, had urged all women to take part, regardless of ability.
Article posted on 19th May, 2008 - 2.29pm
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