16/06/08
Five BNI teams, plus three members of staff from BNI Head Office, took part in the NBFA Charity 5k on Sunday 8th June.
The weather was perfect and the competitive spirit was increasing, as the 10 o’clock start time got ever nearer.
Along with Charlie Lawson, Tim Cook (both Assistant National Directors) and Kathleen Waller from Head Office, were teams from Tudor (including LNW Area Director Dinah Liversidge), Business Class, Platinum, Swan and Iolanthe (who had only just launched on the 5th June).
For Tudor and Business Class this race (to date anyway) was a decider, as Tudor had won the first NBFA race in 2006 and Business Class took the winner's trophy in 2007. Both chapters had entered a good number of runners and on paper Tudor were the stronger team. However, even before the starter had said ‘Go’, Tudor had lost two of their runners: one to a twisted knee, the other to Glyndebourne.
John Wilson (Tudor) led, by bicycle, the first runners round the beautiful tree lined course in Bushy Park in what was to be a very fast time for the winner: Daniel Bent a teacher from a local school - his time an excellent 17m 28sec.
Five BNI teams, plus three members of staff from BNI Head Office, took part in the NBFA Charity 5k on Sunday 8th June.
The weather was perfect and the competitive spirit was increasing, as the 10 o’clock start time got ever nearer.
Along with Charlie Lawson, Tim Cook (both Assistant National Directors) and Kathleen Waller from Head Office, were teams from Tudor (including LNW Area Director Dinah Liversidge), Business Class, Platinum, Swan and Iolanthe (who had only just launched on the 5th June).
For Tudor and Business Class this race (to date anyway) was a decider, as Tudor had won the first NBFA race in 2006 and Business Class took the winner's trophy in 2007. Both chapters had entered a good number of runners and on paper Tudor were the stronger team. However, even before the starter had said ‘Go’, Tudor had lost two of their runners: one to a twisted knee, the other to Glyndebourne.
John Wilson (Tudor) led, by bicycle, the first runners round the beautiful tree lined course in Bushy Park in what was to be a very fast time for the winner: Daniel Bent a teacher from a local school - his time an excellent 17m 28sec.
Chris Lovelock (CJL Construction) of the Tudor Chapter came home in 6th place in a brilliant sub twenty-minute time (19m 54sec) and the stage was set for an easy Tudor victory. But then in 20th place and 22nd place came two Business Class runners and things were once again looking interesting. It now all rested on the finishing positions of the remainder of the four person teams. Things once again looked like a certain win for Tudor when they took the 35th position, but this was quickly followed by Business Class taking 38th. Then disaster struck. News came through that Mark Archer (Tudor) had pulled up with a torn calf-muscle – he had been looking at a good finish of around 30th. The Tudor team had been reduced to just four runners and now it was all down to those last few finishers.
The result was close, very close, but Business Class came from behind to snatch the trophy out of Tudor’s hands!
There were other notable performances on the day: Tim Cook finished in 24th place in a time of 23m 47sec, just seeing off one of his members at the Swan chapter. Charlie Lawson finished! I don’t say this lightly as Charlie had been in Paris for a stag party on the Saturday evening, caught a plane home at 6.00 am Sunday morning and came directly to the race. He reckoned that most of the alcohol was out of his system by the time he had finished! It would also appear that Kathleen had been at a hen party until 4.00 am on the Sunday morning – so her finishing position of 53rd in a time of 26m 43sec was pretty outstanding.
Dinah walked the course – aided by personal trainer Katy Spragg (Business Class) – in just under an hour and finished to great applause. It was the furthest she had walked in over 14 years.
Tom Tree (Platinum) got more than a referral - after he had finished, his legs hurt rather a lot and so he took advantage of the free massage being given by some lovely ladies – he now has a date with one of them!
And last was Veronica Lartey (Iolanthe). Having got lost on the way to the race she started half an hour late, but still wanted to take part. She crossed the line to a BNI guard of honour.
The 8th of June was a great success for the NBFA as they raised lots of funds for our older folks, but it was also a great day for BNI, as all the members showed what having fun, teamwork and wonderful support is all about.
Thank you to everyone that took part and.... see you all again next year!
Photographs of the event, taken by John Frye (Tudor), can be seen at: http://www.johnfrye.co.uk/NBFA%205k/index.html
The result was close, very close, but Business Class came from behind to snatch the trophy out of Tudor’s hands!
There were other notable performances on the day: Tim Cook finished in 24th place in a time of 23m 47sec, just seeing off one of his members at the Swan chapter. Charlie Lawson finished! I don’t say this lightly as Charlie had been in Paris for a stag party on the Saturday evening, caught a plane home at 6.00 am Sunday morning and came directly to the race. He reckoned that most of the alcohol was out of his system by the time he had finished! It would also appear that Kathleen had been at a hen party until 4.00 am on the Sunday morning – so her finishing position of 53rd in a time of 26m 43sec was pretty outstanding.
Dinah walked the course – aided by personal trainer Katy Spragg (Business Class) – in just under an hour and finished to great applause. It was the furthest she had walked in over 14 years.
Tom Tree (Platinum) got more than a referral - after he had finished, his legs hurt rather a lot and so he took advantage of the free massage being given by some lovely ladies – he now has a date with one of them!
And last was Veronica Lartey (Iolanthe). Having got lost on the way to the race she started half an hour late, but still wanted to take part. She crossed the line to a BNI guard of honour.
The 8th of June was a great success for the NBFA as they raised lots of funds for our older folks, but it was also a great day for BNI, as all the members showed what having fun, teamwork and wonderful support is all about.
Thank you to everyone that took part and.... see you all again next year!
Photographs of the event, taken by John Frye (Tudor), can be seen at: http://www.johnfrye.co.uk/NBFA%205k/index.html
1 comment:
Sorry I couldn't participate this year due to a knee injury but well done everyone (especially Dinah!) and I look forward to next year's race.
Nick
thebestofrichmond
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