By AnnMarie Clyne
A sunny morning last Sunday saw over 7 running clubs represented at Sportsworld HQ for the inaugural prize-giving of the meet and train women only league. We had been asked to host the event before we knew we were ultimate winners of the Diamond league so it was fitting it was happening on our own home ground. The event coincided with International Women’s Day but as one renowned sports journalist in attendance told me that morning – every day is women’s day!I Now you know lads!!
We started the morning with a fun run around Bushy Park on the old fartlek lap. As we are an all-inclusive club our chairman Michael led the group out. This was a social run so we had great chats along the way with many of our visitors delighted to have a run about in a new park. As the route is out of bounds to us on our summer sessions it was interesting to hear some club members talk about discovering new areas in Bushy Park. It was great to see all clubs wear their club vests but we did get funny looks from the park ranger who I’m sure thought we were doing a race without a permit!
After 30 minutes we were back in the clubhouse for a range of home baked treats that was up there with the standard of our annual cake sale. The spread was amazing! I have had a number of emails since thanking us for hosting the event and I’ve no doubt that it will form part of the prize-giving ceremony going forward. Thanks to everyone who helped out on the morning, Emily, Aileen & Michael, Val & Ann on teas/ coffees, to all the bakers and suppliers of treats and to DJ Anthony Gillen who provided the sounds on the decks /microphone. Thanks also to all Sportsworld runners who helped out our visitors on the day, stopping with them when they struggled and helping others to navigate the route. No doubt I have forgotten to thank someone so please don’t be offended……Peter Knaggs has me on a writer’s deadline and I’m knee deep in Coronavirus crisis management in work!!
In wrapping up, congratulations are due to every single participant but especially Team A and Team E coming first and second in their respective categories. Congratulations also to Lorna Quinn who was awarded second overall lady. We had six teams entered in the league, the largest club representation overall. A shout out should be extended to our new club members who gave meet and train a try out with the promise that it would be great fun ….I was told the same when I signed up but we all know fun is not exactly what we would call it!! For some reason though we get sucked in every year and I know they will too. There is something about special about this event, it could be down to the new friendships formed, perhaps its the team spirit as it is not about one individual or the fastest runner or maybe it is the big spread afterwards but one thing is for sure, we’ll be back again in November!
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