Saturday 3rd July saw the UK's first UK Run for Congo, as part of the Regent’s Park 10km series.
This was the first time a Run for Congo race had been held in the UK following the enormous success o these events in the US. It seems like many in the UK were chomping at the bit to take part and show their solidarity with women in the Congo. Almost 400 runners took part and over a third of them were representing run for Congo, raising a staggering £19,000 for women in the Vemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The conditions couldn't have been better as the sun was shining and a cool breeze was running through the air. Prior to the race there was a relaxed yet excited vibe amongst the runners, a good mixture of club runners and people attempting their first 10km race.
The race began just after 9am, creating a snake of runners streaming through the paths of Regents Park.
The race was extremely well marshaled and sign-posted which allowed runners to concentrate on their stride as they attempted to break personal bests and compete against their fellow runners. After three laps of Regents Park runnerers passing the finish line were cheered on by the crowds that had started to gather in the park, providing all the runners with a real boost.
The race itself was comfortably won by Glenn Saqui in 33 minutes and 51 seconds, an extremely impressive time. But the event will be remembered for being the first UK Run for Congo. It was an impressive sight seeing 100 runners wearing Run for Congo t-shirts as they lined up for a photo prior to the race and then spotting the Run for Congo runners sprinting round Regents Park, driven on by their desire to support women in the DRC.
A special mention should go to some of the lads who decided to take on the cause for this women’s charity. Jonathan Tanner, who would admit he’s not much of a runner, had been training for months for this day, and will use it as a spring board for the London Triathlon in August – Jonathan recorded a PB of 57 minutes for the race. Lachlan McKenzie and Will Hardy, who both struggle with asthma, completed the race in 48 and 52 minutes respectively.
Kate Hughes from Women for Women International, who had been instrumental in organising the race in Regents Park, completed it in 56 minutes, and I’m sure once she gets her breath back and gives her legs a rest, she’ll be busy answering many emails and calls asking her when the next Run for Congo will be.
It was a fantastic race and was given extra poignancy following the crash of an oil tanker in the DRC on Friday evening which caused over 250 deaths. The continuing conflict and uncertainty in the region, highlight the need to continue to support and be aware of the difficulties that women, children and men face on a daily basis in the Congo. This may have been the first Run for Congo, but I am sure that it wont be the last...
Men's results
| 1 |
Glenn Saqui |
HIGHGATE HARRIERS |
00:33:51 |
| 2 |
Basil Wallace |
HERNE HILL HARRIERS |
00:36:18 |
| 3 |
Philip Nicholson |
NEWCASTLE UNI TEAM |
00:36:20 |
Women's results
|
1
|
Becky Penty
|
HIGHGATE HARRIERS
|
00:36:48
|
|
2
|
Amy Koerbel
|
MORNINGTON CHASERS RC
|
00:42:31
|
|
3
|
Jennie Dear
|
Un-attached
|
00:42:55
|
Women for Women International is part of a 30 strong group of charities and other organisations who form the Congo Now! Coalition set up raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis. www.congonow.org
If you are interested in helping organise a Run for Congo UK event in 2011, please contact Kate Hughes khughes@womenforwomen.org
