Race for Life....we did it!

It never ceases to amaze me how many people take part in these events! Myself and my daughters (aged 6 years old and 21 weeks old) took part in the Race for Life yesterday (16th May) at Saltwell Park in Gateshead and the turnout was incredible. Women from all walks of life coming together for one common purpose...to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

We joined in with the pre-race warm-up and then joined the masses to get the race underway. We were walking it this year, well at least my eldest and I were walking...the youngest was being pushed around the course in her pram!

We set off at 11:05 and managed to push the pram past a few people to make a bit of space to stride out. The weather was good; warm and dry and it didn't take long to really warm up especially when it came to pushing the pram up the hills!

We got just past the 3km mark and it started to rain. It was light at first but then got slightly heavier so we had to stop and put the rain cover on the pram. We didn't bother putting our coats on, the rain wasn't that bad.

We really started to stride out and before we knew it we were approaching the finishing line. I'm not kidding, we were yards from the finish line when the heavens opened. We couldn't really stop because we had people behind us and my eldest wanted to run across the finish line rather than walk. In the few seconds it took to cross the line we got absolutely drenched! We pulled into the side and put our coats on but it was a little too late; our clothes were soaked through!

We completed the course in 1 hour and 12 minutes. We were handed our medals, gift bags and water and very quickly ran for cover to get out of the rain.

Despite the good old British weather, we had a great time. The atmosphere as always was phenomenal and everyone was in high spirits. I always get so emotional when I read the messages that people have put on the backs of their t-shirts, remembering those they've lost to cancer and those who have survived.

I lost my Grandad to bowel cancer in 1998 and have taken part in the Race for Life twice before to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. This year, I dedicated the Race to my parents' neighbours' daughter, Karen. Karen died 3 weeks ago of breast cancer and left behind her long-term partner and their 3 year old son. She was only in her early 30s.

Between my daughter and I we've raised £150 so far for Cancer Research UK. There is still time to make a donation and your support would be greatly appreciated. Please follow this link to my sponsor page.


Thank you.