Shirley Lions Fun Run  

Shirley Lions Fun Run

 

The weather forecast for Sunday 15th September had been dire with a prediction of heavy rain and gale force winds. Despite this, fun runners, serious runners and their supporters descended on Blythe Valley Park Business Park for Shirley Lions tenth annual charity fun run.

This year funds raised from the event will be going to “Help Harry Help Others”. Whilst battling an inoperable brain tumour, Harry Mosley was inspired to make a difference to all people with brain cancer when a friend of his who also had a brain tumour became very ill. Within the space of just over two years Harry had organised and attended nearly 100 events to raise money for and awareness of Brain Cancer. He touched the hearts of the nation with his efforts and helped change the lives of everyone he met. Sadly Harry’s health took a sudden turn for the worse following brain surgery in August 2011. On 8th October 2011, and after 14 weeks in a coma, Harry passed away peacefully at home in his Mum’s arms. This charity is Harry’s legacy.

Thankfully on the day the rain held off and Georgie Moseley, Harry’s mum was able to set the runners off in just gale force winds. As the run progressed race organiser and commentator Lion Andy Luckett was seen to be holding on grimly to a leg of a gazebo, whether this was to steady himself or stop the gazebo blowing away we do not know.  


 

Despite the wind the winning times were fast with 5k winner Adam Smyth completing the course in a time just 42 seconds slower than his winning time of 2012. The 10k winner came home in a time of 39 minutes 21 seconds which again is a pretty impressive time bearing in mind the wind against them. Prizes were also awarded to the fastest 5k and 10k lady, youngest and oldest runner and best fancy dress runner.  


 

Our District Governor Lion Simon Moss has already declared his aim of entering one run in each District during his year of office and we can report that Simon finished in 44th place in a very creditable time of 53 minutes and 22 seconds.  


 

But guess what, no sooner had the last runner finished and we started to dismantle the course the heavens opened and every Shirley Lion finished the day soaked to the skin!