Reading
Valley Ladies' Circle
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Race For LifeCancer Research UK* – Race For Life* Formerly Imperial Cancer Research Fund They always say that time heals, I can safely say that from the comfort of my living room this is certainly true. I am indeed referring to the annual round of Cancer Research UK’s ‘Race for Life’s’, is this really a series of races aimed at saving lives, or at killing us mad fools off, I wonder? As an organisation Ladies' Circle supports the charity Cancer Research UK. During the 60 odd years of Circle’s existence we have raised in excess of £40 million. Individual Circles have achieved much of this sum, but in more recent years some of the contribution has been through the Race for Life series. These take place nationally during the summer months and are only for women and girls. This though has not prevented some chaps having a go. As the races are exclusively for females, the money raised goes to provide research into female cancers. The chaps have their turn later in the year at the Dad’s and Boys bike ride. This year for the first time, Ladies' Circle was involved with helping at many of the races. We assisted on the late entry desk, dealt with enquiries and lost property and handed out water, medals and goody bags at the finishing line. Although this is a race, most ladies do not take it seriously, so the clock is incidental, most are just happy just to cross the finishing line. Many very exhausted and with faces the same colour as the Day-Glo pink canopies that Cancer Research UK use. The course length is just over three miles, over a variety of terrains. The course can be tackled in any manner the competitor likes, run, jog, walk, skip or hop. The wise choose their course carefully. This year I had the flat, rough grass of Upton Park Slough, then on to the very short three miles of Guildford, that this year managed to miss the sandpits of previous years. This meant that your shoes did not fill up with sharp stones, so running was blissful, and as the course was so short I managed a sterling time of 19 minutes. The great advantage of Guildford is that it is immediately opposite a super leisure complex, so a quick dip in the pool afterwards soon restores wellbeing. This year as it was so cold for this race I hid in Solarium instead. Then it was full steam ahead for Hampstead Heath, not for the faint hearted this one, lots of slippery hills, but lovely scenery, if you get the chance to look! Then followed a couple of midweekers, the others all having been Sunday’s. Battersea was first, followed by Basingstoke. How memorable Basingstoke was, not only for the huge hills, two pubs on the way round, but more importantly for the capacity turnout of 4000 ladies. Dr Hilary Jones started the race and we had the luxury of running the last few hundred yards on proper rubberised running track, how good that felt, you almost forgot the blazing heat. Between these two mid-week races I managed to fit in Oxford, this was the day after attending the Wales and Midland lunch, so I drove up from the welsh borders. Oxford is probably my favourite venue, all around the University Parks. By this time the running shoes were in need of major surgery, but did not live to tell the tale. The pair I wore for the series in 2000 had an honourable burial in Cape Town following the Ladies Circle International conference; I just had to make room for all those souvenirs! So after being reshod it was full steam ahead to Herne Bay, I now know why as a family we swapped the windswept beaches for the crisp mountain air of Switzerland. The final race I ran was at Richmond Park, this course has little to comment on, apart from its apparent length. I am not sure who measures the course out, but I reckon they got their 5km and 5 miles mixed up. Maybe it was just because it was the last race. One of the real joys of competing in the races is the atmosphere on the day. Competitors come in all shapes and sizes. Many see it as a grand chance to catch up on the gossip, some even stop for a sandwich on the way round. Everyone there is really friendly and knows they are all helping others. Many of us have lost family and friends to the disease; there is hardly anyone in the county that has not been touched by it. I would like to add my own personal thanks to those doctors who are trying to conquer this illness, and have given me a second chance. Kay Rowlands |