Sunday, September 03, 2006

Haddenham Bonfire and Fireworks 2006

For your diary: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3rd 2006
More details will be published soon

Fun Run 2006 REPORT

The Haddenham Bonfire Committee Fun Run 2006

Sunday July 16 dawned dry and clear. A relief for the organisers of this annual event; four years in a row of fine weather. After only 45 minutes of registration we had 72 runners champing at the bit, ready to face the three mile circuit.

The Bonfire Committee’s main purpose is to ensure there is always enough cash to put on a decent firework display on the nearest Friday to the 5th November. This year it will be on the 3rd, so make a note in your diary now.

This Fun Run is one of the events we organise during the year, but it’s not just about raising funds. We want everyone to come and enjoy a morning in the countryside. Many of the runners are very serious about their performance and treat the event as an important challenge to beat as many others as they can and improve on their previous time. Many come to stroll round the course enjoying countryside they would not normally see. Just a few yards are on a road; all the rest is on paths and tracks in scenery that is just not available to us as we whiz around in our cars. This event gives us a chance to walk and chat without worrying about road safety all the time.

The really quick runners got across Fairchild’s Meadows in no time, through the kissing gate and along the track past the Guppy ponds, visible through breaks in the hedge. Thanks to Anson’s they took a short cut, missing that dangerous junction and almost immediately joined the level route of the old railway. On to a station- our drinks station that is, where a quick swig was in order before the more arduous climb through the Hintons and back to the edge of Haddenham. Along the footpath to Chewells Lane and the welcome drop down to Fairchild’s Meadow and the finish line.

This year the temperature had climbed to33C in the recorders’ tent, so goodness knows what it was in the direct sun. Consequently the winner was just a little slower than last year. Connor Delaney in the 8-11 age group was the first home in 20minutes 40seconds, and he did not look too puffed out either! Some of the Over 16s followed soon after, but they were not all looking quite so cool….

There are five age bands and each has a prize for the first male and first female; that’s ten opportunities to be number one! Plus we present a shield to the winning Team. All the results are given below.

Most of the runners came in within half an hour and nearly everyone was back inside the hour. While waiting for the results to be worked out and double checked there was time to get more water or treat the family to fizzy drinks, hot dogs or burgers. Sitting and chatting in the sun, or nearby shade, made a pleasant interlude until the awards were given to the top three in each category. Then back home by 1pm for a well earned lunch and afternoon nap!

Our thanks to all 72 who took part, the various shops which kept stocks of entry forms, the School for advertising in the ‘bags’, The Voice for a whole page about the event and the several landowners who kindly allowed us to follow their tracks- thank you.

Results (second & third in brackets)
0 to 4 years: Lewis Perry (Stefan Perry Luke Davey-Bradshaw)
Sarah Pollard (Harriet Smith Alice Perry)

5 to 7: Andrew Burrows (William Smith William Topping)
Gina Minall (Kerry Delaney Daisy Moore)

8 to 11: Connor Delaney- also outright winner (Matthew Burrows Richard Threadgold)
Lauren Flack (Annabelle Graham Chloe Minall)

12 to 16: Alex Minall (Paul Dewy Ollie Kerridge)
Sophie Minall- also first girl home (Chloe Flack Katie Tindall)

Over 16: Darren Searle (Nick Abbey James Dun)
Denise Ives (Norma Caira Sarah Tickle)

Team Shield: Scoobies (Wilburton Colts Cricket Club Wacks)