WLR Runners and the 2007 Bananaman Chase

by WLR Member Linsblake

In early January, just as the new year’s resolutions were starting to wear thin, the call went out on the WLR Runners Board for entrants to the 2007 Bananaman Chase in aid of Leukaemia Research.

I signed up straight away as it sounded a great fun 10k race which involved running and chasing grown men dressed as bananas around Regents Park.

Under the leadership of Head Girl, Rachael Reynolds, it was decided in discussions on the message board we should fundraise as a team. We adopted the name WLR - www.justgiving.com/weloverunning. By the big day we had raised almost £800 and were one of the biggest fundraisers for the event.

For some runners this was to be their first big race and became their goal as they started out on the beginners running plan. All comers were welcome in our team. For other, more experienced runners, it was to be a bit of fun after marathons and half marathons were completed. As a group we shared advice, tips, experiences and gained knowledge from each other.

The morning of 8th July dawned bright and sunny, not a cloud in the sky and after a month of solid rain it was a delight. Regents Park looked wonderful with huge inflatable bananas and a sea of runners in bright yellow t-shirts milling around.

It’s amazing how in a field of over 1500 runners you can find your fellow WLRer’s. It was probably helped by the fact that we had our WLR names on our shirts but it was like meeting old friends. Faces you have seen on Members Forum profiles suddenly made flesh with accents and everything!

We counted down to the start together then split up to run at our own paces – ranging from a 43 minutes to over 1 hour – with the faster finishers shouting encouragement to the later ones. It was a hot and sticky race but in beautiful surroundings and with a great friendly atmosphere.

Afterwards we all met up for a very unhealthy picnic of fizzy wine, cake and crisps and the constant refrain of “How many calories do you think there is in this?”.

All in all it was a wonderful day which not only raised money for a really good cause but brought together a great bunch of people with a couple of things in common - WLR and running. Yes we do still love running and if you want to join us pop over to the Runners Board and introduce yourself.

From the Runners Message Board

Bananaman Chase

‘It was my first 10k, and I was rather skittish with nerves as it was very warm and I'd struggled a bit during my Race for Life a couple of weeks ago (when it was pouring with rain and very muddy - rather like school cross country).

The atmosphere was great, and I just kept plodding along at a nice steady pace. I didn't take a single walk break the whole way round.

According to my Garmin, my time was 1 hr 7 mins and 56 seconds, but my official time was 1 hr 11 mins (I know which one I'm going to stick with!!). But either way, it was a personal best as it was my first 10k.

But I'd like to say a massive thank you to all the people on this board who have encouraged me. It seems mad to think that 6 months ago I could hardly run for 5 minutes but now I have well and truly got the bug!!'

FIZZYCOLA