The Hendy Ford Eastleigh 10k Road Race 2016 will take place on Sunday 20 March (Palm Sunday).
This is the 32nd year of the event, which for many years has been sponsored by B&Q. And this year, one of Chandler’s Ford Today’s contributors will be taking part.
Robert Ryder, who writes under the pseudonym Chippy Minton, will be running to raise money for St John Ambulance.
Now let’s get a bit personal with one of our favourite writers in this interview.
CFT: 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) sounds like a long way to run to me. Are you a keen runner?
RR: well, not really – or not until recently. After over 25 years of not running, I discovered parkrun in the spring of last year.
To my amazement I was able to complete the 5km course without stopping. Over the following months I have gradually built up my fitness and stamina, and am now ready to tackle a longer distance.
CFT: You mentioned fitness and stamina – which is more important?
RR: I think they go hand in hand. You certainly need a certain degree of fitness, but it’s the stamina that gives you the motivation to keep going.
Until only a few months ago I could run a 5km parkrun where there are other runners and supporters to keep you going, but when running alone my brain would say “that’s it, I’ve had enough” after a shorter distance – even though my legs and lungs were quite happy.
CFT: So how did you overcome the stamina problem?
RR: I’m not really sure. It just happened. One of the other “that’s enough” factors was getting back close to home after a loop round the town. But one evening I found my brain wasn’t saying “Ok stop now” and I was able to run past the house and continue quite a bit further.
CFT: So you are confident that you will complete the course?
RR: Yes. I have done two test runs so far, and will try to fit another in before the 20th March. I’m hoping to complete it in around an hour.
CFT: Any worries?
RR: This will be my first ever formal running event. I’ve never run with anything like this number of runners (2750) before, so I’m not sure how easy it will be at the start – will the course be too crowded to get up to my usual pace? Or will I end up pacing against other runners who are generally faster or slower than I am?
I think that running can be a bit like walking – once you get into a comfortable pace you can keep going.
CFT: and you are running to raise money for charity?
RR: Yes. St John Ambulance. This is an organisation that I’ve been a volunteer with for over 25 years. It’s given me some great opportunities and met some great people.
Apart from the extremely useful first aid knowledge (and the satisfaction you get from looking after someone who is sick or injured), I’ve been able to learn and develop skills in presentation and teaching, management and administration, and youth work, to name but a few.
CFT: I think that there’s another connection between your work with St John Ambulance and the Eastleigh 10km road race?
RR: Yes. Somewhat fittingly, it was the first event I covered. Back then it was sponsored by Draper Tools – so a long, long time ago.
St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross Society covered the event together for many years. Every year we thought someone should run it to raise money. And at long last, someone is!
CFT: Would you like Chandler’s Ford Today readers to help with your fundraising?
RR: I thought you’d never ask!!! Yes, that would be wonderful if Chandler’s Ford Today readers could help me raise money for St John Ambulance. Donations can be made via my Just Giving page: Robert Ryder is fundraising for St John Ambulance.
CFT: And support on the day?
RR: Yes – cheers from the crowd will help me keep going. I don’t know what my race number is yet, but I’ll be running in St John Ambulance colours so should be easy to spot!
The 32nd Eastleigh 10km road race and St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance is the nation’s leading first aid charity. It believes that no one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it.
The 32nd Eastleigh 10km road race takes place on Sunday 20th March, starting at 9:00am. The course starts and ends at Fleming Park and follows a figure-of-eight route.
The first loops goes along Shakespeare Road, up Twyford Road, and back down Woodside Avenue.
The second loop follows Passfield Avenue and Derby Road, then through Desborough Road to Chestnut Avenue and back to Fleming Park.
Please note that road closures will be in place in this area on the day.
There is also a shorter fun run around Fleming Park for the under 12s on the same day, starting at 11:10 (9-12 year-olds) and 11:30 (4-8 year-olds). Entries must be made in advance as they cannot be accepted on the day.
Update on 21st March 2016: Yes he did it! “I did it – almost 13 minutes faster than I expected (and 8 minutes faster than I hoped). Position 1202 out of 2308.” Robert (Chippy Minton)
Related posts:
- News from Eastleigh parkrun
- Eastleigh: 250th parkrun
- Red Cross, St John Ambulance And Red Cross Parcel
- Eastleigh Town Centre: St John Ambulance
- First Aider and First Responder
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Hope all goes well with the running and that you get the right weather for this event (dry, not too hot or cold etc).
Thank you. I’m hoping it will be a bit warmer than the last couple of Saturday morning parkruns.
I think we should inspire more people to support St John Ambulance and our funny, witty, and quirky writer.
Well, this song will do the job. Enjoy!