With everyone hoping for a good summer, it seemed that we were all trying to outdo each other and pin point the best weeks to take off to enjoy whatever warm and dry weather there was. The truth is, that like Derek Brockway -weatherman of BBC Wales Today- predicting weather is not a science but pure luck. Sadly, most were disappointed with the amount of sun available these past few months (unless you visited the Bahamas). However, there has been some glimmer of hope. A4e Pathways running group has entered two races and each one has been in a blaze of sunshine and the two dates run must have been the hottest days Wales has seen this year.
The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k saw a change in the line up this race. Back for a second round of punishment were Neil Griffiths and Kris Evans. Newcomers to the stage this time, replacing Jane Fox (out due to injury) and Louise Jane Edwards (out due to being a mum) were our very own Training practitioner Sarah Bridgeman and host of the Friday quiz David Jones.
The A4e running team has started to gain a little momentum, and this time we even managed to find some promotional T-shirts that we could shamelessly plug A4e Pathways throughout the event. Whilst opinions on the colour were mixed and rather varied, we all have to agree that we were noticed, and we even got chatting to a 10 foot pirate/admiral.
Warming up inside St Helens rugby ground an announcement that the warm up would in fact be on the main coast road. I have to say that she was not as good as Mr Motivator from the Great Wales run, and she must have been about 5 feet tall, as no-one could see or hear her. Taking the warm up seriously, Kris and Neil managed some very good imitations of the village people YMCA as well as the dance for dads (big fish, little fish, cardboard box) With I-pods at the ready and ensuring that the technical aspect of the race was in place (make sure your laces are tied up), the gun went and 3500 runners were off on the 2008 Swansea Bay 10k.
Anyone who has been to Swansea will not fail to be amazed by the amount of lush fields and playgrounds around the beach front, but we were not here for that! The first 5k took in the glamorous Swansea University and Singleton hospital, before heading towards the Mumbles. It is always amazing to see that main arterial roads are closed, and what should have been a great Sunday get away to the Gower for most Welsh families, probably turned into a wacky races around the side streets.
At the 5k mark a refreshing drinks station was conveniently placed to allow us to get in valuable liquids lost. The second half was a park run, so on your right a wonderful view of the beach and sea, and one your left nice gardens and trees providing much needed shade from the sun. Swansea has definitely gone up in the world since I was a kid. Long gone are the slurry coated beaches and in comes nice clean air and fresh smells of the sea. It is easy to know when you were getting nearer to the finish line, as the crowds started to swell and the encouragement from them was as usual much needed by most. Even those walking dogs and cycling were encouraging the runners to get closer to the end.
The only A4e staff member to finish within the hour was our District Manager Neil Griffiths with a great finishing time of 58 minutes and 55 seconds. Quickly followed by Friday Quiz boy David Jones with 1 hour 2 minutes and 18 seconds. Debutant Sarah Bridgeman came in with an incredibly respectable 1 hour 17 minutes and 50 seconds. Finally, Kris Evans proving that 20 a day does impact on your lungs despite 1 hour 22 minutes and 16 seconds.
Finish line = banana and water. I never thought that that combination would ever sound exciting, but it was a welcome sight. Runner of the event should surely go to Sarah Bridgeman who ran and ran throughout the whole event and never stopped.
Many thanks as well to the A4e groupies who continue to maintain the momentum. Julie Dyer, Paul Ferrier and Sharon Griffiths.
Next race up for consideration is the Margam park 10k which is on 19th October. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/10k/venues/margam08/ <https://webmail.a4e.co.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/10k/venues/margam08/> If anyone in A4e is interested in coming along either as a supporter or even better as a runner then please feel free to contact me on kevans@a4e.co.uk or Louisa Jane Edwards on Ledwards@a4e.co.uk
It is worth remembering that we are considering affiliation to a running area (probably North Wales athletics) which will ensure that we can obtain a reduction in race entry costs.
STOP PRESS STOP PRESS FINAL EDITION!!!!!!!!
Liverpool, December 7th SANTA DASH!!!!!
A 5k (3 miles) run where we all get to disguise ourselves as our favourite Christmas character. No its not Simon Cowell but Father Christmas!!!!
http://www.blogger.com/www.runliverpool.org.uk/Event_List_08/Liverpool_Santa_Dash.htm
ANYONE ELSE IN A4e INTERESTED??? Please let us know and we can always arrange to meet you with our funky T-shirts!!!!
There has been discussion about many Santa Runs/dash’s but a collective decision has been made that Team A4e will be running in Liverpool this Christmas. Please come along as most of us will be staying overnight (Oh please someone help us!)
Kris Evans
Directions Facilitator & OSA Mid Wales
Occupational Support Team
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