Hornsey YMCA Fun Run Festival
Sunday, 16th May 2010
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Hornsey YMCA invited the local community to join in its 20th anniversary Fun Run celebrations, and the people of Crouch End showed they know how to Party! A record turn out across both the adult 10k and nine children’s races, saw more than 2,600 runners take part in the 20th staging of the Hornsey YMCA Crouch End 10k and Children’s Fun Run, in what turned out to be almost perfect running conditions.
A brief rain shower just before the 10k brought back memories of last year’s monsoon, but soon passed into temperate sunny spells, just right for the 10k runners. Local team London Heathside took both the Male and Female team prizes, and race sponsors, Thornton’s Budgens of Crouch End claimed the unaffiliated team prize for the 3rd year in a row. 
First place in the men’s senior race was once again claimed by 2009 winner George Stewart, running for London Heathside, whilst independent runner Alexandra Mackenzie broke the local club’s stranglehold on the trophies as the first female across the finish line. 
Wave after wave of children completed in the nine children’s races that followed, many in fancy dress, with a two person blue horse being one of the standout costumes! For full race results go to www.chiptiming.co.uk. Race finish photos can be found at www.marcgardner.co.uk (type in code 285881).
And whilst all this activity was going on, the Fun Run Festival was entertaining the crowds, with local bands on the music stage, including Rudeboy & Rascal, The Daddios, Haringey Young Musicians, The Angels Of Kaos, Smiley Faces and the Magnificent Mandolinis.
The Festival was supported by The Crouch End Project and partners, and Festival goers enjoyed food from Moors Bar, Thornton’s Budgens, Hot Pepper Jelly, Dunns Bakers and Haberdashery. Those in a more reflective mood enjoyed chilled music and therapies in the Haelan Centre’s Healing Field, whilst children with any energy left after their races, tackled the 9ft climbing wall, spider mountain, YMCA assault course and beat the goalie, which were just a few of the many attractions on offer.
Only right at the end did the British spring weather finally call an untimely halt to the celebrations, and it was a much diminished (and soggy) crowd who stood before Mari Wilson and the headliner music acts - a great shame as there was some seriously good performances. Maybe next year….watch this space. For those of you who couldn’t attend the Festival, this link will show you a little of what you missed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VvlHxvESWI
Many thanks to everyone who made it such a great day, including the 150 volunteers, but special mention goes to our sponsor Andrew Thornton and his team at Thornton’s Budgens, and to Clare, Helen and Helene at the Crouch End Project for their fabulous support. Fundraising
At the time of writing our ambitious aim of raising 20for20 (20k for every year the race has been staged), looks very achievable. Sponsorship should be paid into either the YMCA Fitness Centre or Harringay Club by Friday 23rd July 2010. Prizes will be awarded to the top adult and top child fundraisers. Our nominated charities this year are:
- YMCA charities (including the Hornsey YMCA Bursary Fund)
- National Autistic Society (NAS), Barnet Branch – www.barnetnas.org.uk
- Open Door (Young People’s Consultation Service based in Crouch End) – www.opendooronline.org
- The FoodCycle Project (combines young volunteers, surplus food and free kitchen space to create nutritious meals for people affected by food poverty) www.foodworksuk.org
Email Hayley
Photographs by Tony Gay
