THAMES TOWPATH 20 MILE WALK - Saturday 8th May, 2010
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Click here to see the photo album
WHAT A GREAT DAY!
It may well have been cold and it may well have been damp but nothing was going to deter the joyful crowd of walkers who came along on Saturday 8th May to take part in the Thames Towpath 20 mile walk.
There were over 130 registered walkers this year and we were really honoured that many friends who have supported this event year on year were with us again this time – the walk seems to attract such loyal local supporters and a wonderful team spirit. We were also delighted that there were lots of new faces in the crowd this year and we hope that the bug has bitten for future years!
It really was a sight to behold as we began the day with a welcome from uber-organiser Jo Martin followed by what has become the customary warm up led by Lizzie Geffen at the side of the River Thames at Hampton Court. There were stretches and star jumps to get us all warm and then off we went, a sea of bodies sporting matching t-shirts and pink helium balloons.
One walker, Kimberly Myers Dennis, was already well and truly warmed up before she arrived having run the eleven miles from her home to the meeting point in order to raise more money in sponsorship. Thank you Kimberly and congratulations!
We were privileged to have witnessed the first leg of the ‘Team Will 1,000 mile challenge’ which is taking place over the course of several months. Fiona Collins, Carline Beaumont and Paul Inskip joined us on Saturday and various friends and family of little Will Collins are already registered in the London to Brighton bike ride, the Three Peaks Challenge, the ASICS London 10k and the Run to the Beat Half Marathon. We wish you all well and send our thanks to each and every member of ‘Team Will’.
There were 45 walkers from Cap Gemini Management Consultants and they set off in their teams with various photographic challenges to complete en route ranging from ‘Human Pyramid’ to ‘spelling Myotubular Trust with their bodies’. Our thanks go, once again, to all at Cap Gemini for their continued support.
Also amongst us were a large number of parents who have children at Hornsby House School. We really appreciate not only their support at the walk but also at the recent ‘Girls Night In’ and ‘Captain Tortue and Miss Captain sale’ which were held to raise extra funds for the walk
We were all delighted to see the flagship balloons at the pit stops at Richmond, Barnes and Putney and cannot thank the wonderful volunteers who manned these in the wind and rain for so long – those snacks are really welcome en route. Thanks too to Lynn Alleway for delivering the finish line refreshments.
We were all ‘papped’ en route by Chryssoula Rolsing as she photographed us at various points – thanks once again for capturing some magical moments for us Chryssie.
The finish line was reached by some much sooner than others with some people having run the route rather than walking it. They were met at the finish line with a glass of bubbly, sandwiches and cake and a welcome round of applause. Sadly the weather put paid to the usual long, leisurely picnic but still several people waited to welcome the remaining walkers. We would like to thank Jonathan and Lisa for having stood in the cold for several hours welcoming home the walkers and also for bringing along the Myotubular Trust wristbands for which Jonathan recently won sponsorship.
And last but by no means least, we extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Jo Martin and Lizzie Geffen for making this happen for the third consecutive year. Thanks to their enthusiasm and effort this event has grown year on year and this years’ walk has already raised an unbelievable £27,919.39.
Thank you all for making this such an amazing day and next year we will do all that we can to arrange a warmer day!
Click here to see the photo album
1. Map, 1 3. Directions 1 4. Directions 2 5. Invite
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