Wimborne 10 – Morag’s Story – 20 November
Morag Day reports on a race
to remember.
Sunday 20th November was
a big day for WAC, a day when so many committed members and their
friends and families turned out in force to give their all to fellow
runners from all over the county and further a field.
As always the
organization is trimmed to perfection and 2011’s race, in such fine
weather conditions, was a (near) pleasure to run. As I walked to the
start from the football club, I chatted to a couple of local
non-affiliated runners, one of whom collected a prize last year. As
Barbara has always encouraged, I did try to persuade these chaps to join
the club and gave them some info about the Thursday night runs. They
both commented on the wonderful atmosphere on reaching Pamphill, with
the marquees in situ supporting the baggage area, the trophies,
physio and of course the famous tea and cakes.
As ever there were
pre-race nerves but I knew, having seen the gradients posted with the
race information, that this was going to be less painful than the Gilly
Hilly two weeks ago.
Runners await
the start
Jess Kennedy
Off we went and before I
reached St Stephen's Church, my heart rate monitor was going berserk.
Cardiac Hill on the way down is such fun, a good opportunity to stretch
legs and sort out breathing, cheers from marshals at snowdrop corner and
then again at Abbott Street were very encouraging.
Kelly's enthusiasm as she
gave me my water at the first water stop and Norm's traffic control at
White Mill were very welcome. The hill to Badbury Cottages brought back
memories of the Gilly Hilly but the ‘Groovy Gang’ at the half way mark
with water and encouragement were a welcome sight.
Hearing the band at
Shapwick put a spring in my step for a while, but the long haul on the
return to White Mill is never a favourite part of the race. I did,
however, chat to a few folks during this section and up to the eight
mile point. They were interested to hear from a club member about the
race, it's inception and why we support Lymphoma Association.
Seeing the nine mile sign
caused a thrill, a) because there was only one more
mile and b) because there
was a long uphill climb. This part of the race is where determination
kicks in and it was no easier on Sunday than it has been at any other
time that I have faced Cardiac Hill.
Morag
approaches Snowdrop Corner … just over a mile to go
Bobbi White
However, at the top and
on turning towards Pamphill, the encouragement from finished runners and
the overwhelming cheers including a very loud ‘Come on Morag’ from Jerry
on the megaphone, made me feel very pleased to have completed the race.
I have run a few races over the years but Wimborne 10 has to be one of
the best organized, the friendliest and the most well supported race I
have ever run.
The post-race
scene at Pamphill
Jess Kennedy
Congratulations are well
deserved to Jeff for taking over the tremendous responsibility of this
enormous task to ensure the continued success of Wimborne 10.
In 1997 WAC were one of
the few Dorset clubs not to host a race, a few oldies, myself, Barbara
and Norman Frampton, Shirley Billington, Jerry, Adie and Julie and
others including Brian Lincoln (our data input expert), got together to
explore the prospect of rising to the challenge of hosting our own race.
We held regular meetings at QE and devoted many hours to achieving the
first race in March 1998. For my sins I was elected the first Race
Director.
Unfortunately in 1999 I
was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the bone marrow,
and Jerry kindly stepped in to the shoes of Race Director. During many
years of treatment culminating in a bone marrow transplant in 2004 I
remained in touch with the club although I did feel my running days were
over. Barbara asked me in the summer if I would be interested in
returning to Thursday night training and then persuaded me to enter the
race in November. With help from Kim (Jolliffe) on Tuesday nights and
Barbara encouraging Thursday time trial and hill sessions, I felt able
to take up the challenge and achieved a better time than I had hoped for
on the day.
I had my first
opportunity to run the race in 2002 when I ran what I consider a rather
respectable time of 1.25.56 age and other life changing events have
slowed my times but not my enthusiasm for being part of such a great
club.
My thanks to Jeff for
excusing me from ‘marshal duties’ to all the cake makers and tea
brewers, to the marshals and the water station hosts, to the car park
attendants and to the dedicated time keepers who make a race like this
possible and successful. My most sincere thanks to all of you for
continued support to Lymphoma Association.
Morag
WACers results were:
9 – Callum Kennedy – 59:36
63 – John Hutchings – 1:09:02
383 – Morag Day – 1:38:05
397 – Barbara Frampton – 1:40:47
There were 436 finishers. Full results at
www.wimborne10.co.uk
