A Fantastic Charity Beach Run for the Tsunami Appeal

9th January 2005

Pictures

It was probably right and fitting that the weather on the day for the Tsunami Beach Run was atrocious. At least the rain was mild. The forecasters gave the day as drizzle interspersed with persistent heavier rain and they were right. On top of that the wind strengthened and by 2.30pm there was a southerly gale to help the runners down the beach to Murlough but making the return trip to Newcastle tough to say the least.

An amazing 235 runners and walkers of all shapes and sizes turned out for the 4-mile run. It started on the beach close to the Downs Road Car Park and covered just over a mile and a half before entering Murlough Nature for a loop that was also nearly one and a half miles before the one-mile plug slog back up the beach into the teeth of the gale.

The event was all about raising money for Oxfam for the Tsunami Disaster Appeal Fund and the generosity of those who took part and their friends was demonstrated once again as around £5,000 was raised. Thankfully, no Northern Bank £20 notes were evident among the collection. At least six dogs were counted among the 235 finishers as part of the many family groups, which were great to see.

Again generosity saw no bounds with many individual donations in excess of £100. Age was also no barrier with some approaching and even exceeding 70 years of age all the way down to children as young as 5-years-old. Also an amazing 221 participants got home within the magic one-hour barrier.

It was also great to see so many other sports represented among the runners including camogie, soccer, rugby, gaelic, hockey and cycling. There were also several who battled the 30 miles from Belfast on bicycle before competing, at least they knew what to expect when turning for home along the beach. For the record, in what was essentially a non-competitive event, Turlough Donnelly from Abbey AC was first man home and Maria Skelton from Lagan Valley was first woman.

Thanks go to Down District Council for access to the beach, use of the Tourist Centre as the run Headquarters and the Donard Park Pavilion for showers, the National Trust for access to Murlough, the Coastguard for the watchful eye on the beach, St. John's Ambulance for medical back-up, Dave McKibbin for local commentary and Jim Hayes for the loudspeaker system, to Jim Brown for the idea and his merry band of helpers at registration and marshals on the course. Finally the biggest thank you goes to all who took part and their friends who donated generously to a very worthy cause.
BOGBOY