What a scorcher!

Success beyond our wildest dreams sums up the first-ever Little Hadham Fun Run. More than 240 runners took part in scorching heat to complete either a 5 kilometre or 10 kilometre course around the village.
 

With money still coming in, the event has already raised more than £1,500, to be shared between CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and starter funds for future Parish Plan events. A raffle with top prize of a football signed by Rod Stewart raised over £200.

The event was run in memory of Caroline Johnstone, who lived with her parents, Lesley and Johnny and brother Ross, in Chapel Lane. Caroline died tragically a year ago. Many of Caroline’s friends and school mates from Bishop’s Stortford High School took part to help promote Cazfest, an all day summer music event on Sunday July 5 in memory of Caroline, who was known as Caz to her friends (www.cazfest.com).

Official photographs of the event including fantastic action shots of all finishers of the 10k event, the winner of the 5k run, the mass start and informal shots at the Village Hall and the Nags Head, were on sale at the June Little Hadham Farmers’ Market. Details of how to order prints are on The Hadhams website (thehadhams.com) or contact Mike Fairchild (771302).

Lesley Johnstone started the race and she and Johnny handed out specially printed certificates to the finishers. Serious runners with stop watches were joined by budding marathon contenders, quite a few walkers and a host of fun runners in a mix of attire ranging from a chef’s hat, fairy wings and ballet skirts to an inflatable ‘fat costume’. Members of our local Karate Club showed their fitness by running in their Gi’s.

Despite the heat, first across the line in the 10 kilometre run finished in just 40 minutes, while the fastest runner in the 5k event took less than 20 minutes. In line with the aims of our Parish Plan, the routes linked up all the hamlets in the village.

 “The support we had for the event exceeded all our expectations,” said Mike Smith, chairman of Little Hadham Parish Plan’s organising committee. “For a first event it was an outstanding success and we had many requests to run it against next year.” He thanked Paul Arkell and staff at The Nags Head who donated free drinks to the finishers and coped with a multitude of thirsty runners, and Stephen Stigwood who mowed a footpath and picnic area in fields opposite the pub. Special thanks to all helpers and particularly the marshals whose efforts earned tributes from experienced runners about how well the Fun Run was organised.