The Woodbridge 10K, the Junior Fun Run and the Swing Band
‘So, Mr Streat, how was the day for you?’
‘An awful lot better thanks to the fantastic lift I got from listening to the Swing Band before the start. It was on top form and brought broad smiles to everyone’s face – as it always does – no mean feat considering what lay ahead for the hundreds of participants…’
Absolutely true: The members of the Swing Band gave up their morning (as they so generously, and brilliantly, gave up an evening not so long ago to grace the WSPA Downton Ball) to open proceedings with the best of flourishes. They brought calm to furrowed brows, and made the prospect of 10k seem like nothing more than a stroll in a Royal Park to the beat of the Band of the Coldstream Guards. Brilliant – I send a hearty thanks to Mr Shepherd and all our wonderful musicians (many of whom even stayed to support the runners) on behalf of the hundreds there on the day.
As for the racing, and what racing it was, there are some stunning highlights to report, top amongst them being the victories in the junior races for Sarah Barker (G14-15), Nathan Goddard (B12-13), Amy Goddard (G10-11), Teddie Buckingham (B10-11), Ruby Winton (G9), Jonjo Walker (B9) and Arthur Na Nakhorn (B7-8); close behind them were other top-10 finishers Daniel Davies (B14-15), Molly Marshall, Ella Walker and Ianthe Hill (G12-13), George Rufford (3rd) and Mak Zie (B12-13), Anna Jackson and Clara Simpson (G10-11), Thomas Liddy (3rd), Edward Rufford and George Na Nakhorn (B10-11), Jimmy Glendinning (2nd) and James Hattan (B9), and Ruby Lubbock (2nd), Rose Jackson, Lara Zie and Mihi Forbes Ballard (G7-8). So many great performances from our boys and girls of all ages (as well as some gallant members of staff – for example Mr Smith (an excellent 27th), with Mr Garvie not far behind (50th) , a host of parents (Mr Rufford first of them to finish, in 20th place), and a healthy smattering of OWs – Tom Wake in 49th the first in, I think). Save to say, the Woodbridge Shufflers’ slick organisation and the brilliant atmosphere created by the thousands out supporting all around the course made for a great day, and everyone who ran, performed, helped or volunteered on the day deserves our congratulations.
