Myra Garrett 3k Fun Run at Danson Park, Bexleyheath, Kent
29 May 2005
By Sandra Campbell
It was a cool morning with a nice sun. I had met my friends and my children at the reception area. There were a few of my deaf friends and my deaf children who had entered the family fun run - including David Foot and his son Adam; Brian Nottage and my two children Aimee and Zeon Campbell.
The multi-terrain (running on grass, pebbles, towpath and hilly surfaces) race started at 10am. Adam, Aimee David and Zeon went quickly leaving Brian and me behind. I was supposed to run in the 10k race, on that same area but I was not fully in shape. Aimee begged me to join in the fun run with THE family team instead. I thought why not because it is only 3k (close to 2 miles) instead of 10k (6 miles).
Brian worked harder and harder in an attempt to catch Zeon. I could see Adam, Aimee and David on the other side of the park. I was really amazed to see my daughter, Aimee, running brilliantly on her own. Also I noticed that Brian worked really hard to catch Aimee and as soon as he caught her they were running together.
Sadly, Zeon twisted his ankle from running on the pebbles. It was a new experience for him. Before the race I had advised the young, deaf children to watch out for any pebbles due to a risk of falling down or twisting their ankles. The towpath was also very slippery and the grassland was uneven. All these are risky for the new runners and it is very important to take care so that injuries can be avoided. With Zeon already injured, he wisely stopped and waited for me to come along for him. After I had checked on his ankle and he had confirmed that he was not too badly injured and was capable of finishing the race I ran along by his side to the end of the race.
Adam, Aimee, Brian and David were already there at the finish line and they applauded us! It was a fantastic, but tough, multi-terrain race. We could see everyone enjoying themselves. There were families with young children aged from two upwards – it was really cute. Also people were running or walking with their pushchairs and dogs were on leads. It was really funny! A great idea for fartlek (running and walking and walking and running) training.
At the finish line, we all received our medals. The young, deaf children enjoyed themselves and would like to do it again. This is part of an initiative to encourage deaf and hearing families with young deaf and hearing children to run, walk and have fun together. I am hoping that one day, next year, with the help of DUKA, our local athletics club and volunteers we can organise a “DUKA Deaf & Hearing Family Fun Run” at Danson Park, Bexleyheath. This is the perfect park for picnics as well as for socialising after the family fun run. A good opportunity for deaf and hearing people to learn how to communicate together!!
Myra Garrett 3k Fun Run 2005 - Official Results were:-
David Foot (SM) – 14mins: 03 secs (26th)
Adam Foot (U15B) – 16mins: 54secs (57th)
Aimee Campbell (U13G) – 17mins: 51secs (71st)
Brian Nottage (M45) – 17mins: 51secs (72nd)
Zeon Campbell (U15B) – 21mins: 24secs (110th)
Sandra Campbell (W35) – 21mins: 34secs (111th)
Myra Garrett 3k Fun Run 2003 - Official Results were:-
Adam Foot (12 yrs old) – 12mins: 45secs
James Paull (10yrs old) – 16mins: 31secs
Zeon Campbell (11yrs old) – 16mins: 40secs
Aimee Campbell (9yrs old) – 16mins: 43secs
Thomas Paull (8yrs old) – 17mins: 05secs
DUKA would like to say a massive
“Well done to all of them! We are proud of these young, deaf children running on the tough multi-terrain event.”
Let’s hope that more families will take part in next year’s competition. Please keep visiting this website for dates of future fun runs. If you wish to take part or would like to know more, please contact us.
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