It was a storm tossed night that the I Run clan set
forth, not a night for the faint hearted, the rain had been coming down in
torrents and the clouds loomed ominous and brooding all around as they
approached their goal. Bereft of their leader, Rosanne, cruelly struck down by
malaise days before the confrontation (some say by a congestion of the lungs,
others nodded wisely and pointed to an excess
of pleasure in the capitol four days prior) this merry band of red clad
warriors stoutly determined to do her proud. And surely the gods of running
were smiling on their brave endeavour as approaching their final destination,
the clouds parted and mother sun did her best to warm their bones in
preparation for the trials ahead. Indeed, a rainbow heralded the start of the
conflict; an omen some claimed later, that even nature looked favourably on
their efforts.
The goal three laps, 10 kilometres in total, of the
circuit known as Croft. Normally reserved for screaming chariots, tonight was a
different race, sheer endurance, sweat and indeed tears would see the winners
on this day. At the off the Clan rubbed shoulders with the elite of many other
clans, it was spotted that not a few of the I Run Clans members were sporting
other colours, no matter! We knew who they were, we knew they were of our blood
and whatever colours they wore they were still of our kind. The start, too fast
in the heat that now enveloped the scene, stretched out the ranks, leaving the
elite, on wind fast feet pulling away, yet our doughty warriors stuck to their
task. One foot in front of another, they determined to fulfil the task ahead .
Lap one, the clans fast scouts, Craig, Vinny and Megan
spied out the land, keeping close eye on the opposition, protecting from the
front and laying down the path for the rest to follow. Andy, determined, true,
not far behind them – protecting their flanks
and forging the bridgehead for the standard bearers of Phil, Kenny and
Steve,. And the rest of us ploughed on, by lap two, all determinedly battling
our own inner demons, putting one foot in front of the other, challenging ourselves
to keep going – Pauline, Alyson, the Julies and the Margarets all surged on –
more and more of the clan, pounding the black tarmac into submission. Izzy
without her faithful hound this night ran, as did Jen, Jennifer, Lucy, Kelly, Catherine
and Bill, all proudly upholding the tradition of never give in.
By lap three the gaps were beginning to show, yet the
brave I Runners never gave up. Determination and in some cases bright red
running shoes kept them going, Kas, Maggie, Hamzah, Michelle and Judith each
bearing the banner of the clan in front of them as they forced themselves to
tread the final yards towards the finish. And at the end, amongst the sprawled
bodies of the exhausted and the cup bearers handing out the sweet water of
success they came to cross the final line, as each passed the cheers grew, the
other clans, amazed at the vehemence of support could only look on as the I Run’s
clan of warriors grew with each finish, and the noise that they created grew ever more deafening, cheering each one
home to the arms of their family as they finished their great trial, and
finally there were those who had never run this test before, proving to
themselves their capabilities where perhaps greater than they realised and as Caroline
and Cristina completed the clans numbers it was evident that nobody was going
to stop us now, because we were indeed having a good time.
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