The 2016
event started on the beautiful quays of Ireland’s Oldest City, against the
backdrop of the mighty River Suir and the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge. This
rises majestically, over 100 metres, as a modern symbol of Waterford in the
21st Century. This mix of young and old was replicated in orange on Sunday.
With hundreds of mums, dads, grannies, grandpas, husbands, wives, brothers,
sisters, friends and even assorted dogs, all working together to complete the
10-mile run or 5-mile walk.
Everyone
wore orange – even some dogs!
There were
no other colour choices and, unlike the misquoted Henry Ford, it is the “no
other colour option”, for the t-shirt, that makes the Run and Walk for Life the
most stunning of visual events.
It is this
tsunami of orange, particularly at the start and finish line, which shows the
real commitment of ALL the people who fundraise for the Solas Cancer Support
Centre.
As Chair of
the organising committee I had once again a very dedicated team of volunteers,
supported by Centre staff, delivered another stunning, safe and uplifting
event. This committee worked tirelessly, in the background, putting the
necessary logistics in place that allowed so many to raise the necessary funds
to allow the Centre to operate its support services. Such has been the success
of the fundraising efforts that a Dungarvan support service has been introduced
to provide for the population in the “wesht” of the County.
Having
helped marshal, with the Garland Clan and Waterford Business Group, on the busy
junction at the John’s Street, we moved to the finish line. But not before I
afforded myself the opportunity to have some great fun and interaction, aided and
abetted by a loudhailer. “Negative encouragement!” was one comment from a
bystander, listening intently to “Sherk the Steward”.
At the
finish line we organised the Fun for Life. There were numerous food stalls,
play areas and enough bouncy castles to keep even the most hyperactive child
amused for hours on end.
I
positioned myself just a few meters away from the line to try to acknowledge
every runner and walker that crossed, having completed either the 10-mile or
5-mile route. It was so refreshing and emotional to see the thousands of people
breaking the timing beam, having completed and finished their respective courses.
Witnessing
tears of joy and obvious tears of sadness, it was an emotional rollercoaster
for anyone who watched the finishers. Many who burst into tears were very
obviously remembering loved ones that they had lost to cancer and by completing
the course, in their honour, their cherished memories will live on forever.
There were
dogs pulling their owners, owners pulling their dogs, mums pushing double
buggies, parents collecting their very small children and crossing the line
holding hands. It was a sight to bring tears of joy to every pair of eyes.
The Solas
Cancer Support Centre South East Run and Walk for Life is truly a mammoth voluntary
team endeavour. The tens of stewards lining the route, the tens of people handing
out water, bananas, “healthy bars” (some chocolate as well but it is nice to
get a treat!), the support services who provided medical support, other
voluntary groups who marshalled key road traffic junctions, and so on. All of
these people played their part in making the 2016 event another benchmark
success story.
The bar
well and truly has been raised.
Regular
readers will know that I am involved in many a Waterford committee and I have
to go on record as saying that the Run and Walk for Life Committee and the
wider voluntary team, are very special. They, to a man and a woman, knew what
was needed and delivered in spades.
Orange has
always been the new black here in Waterford.
