Hydroactive Women's Challenge for Round Table Childrens Wish (RTCW)
September 2007
I took part in my first Hydro Active Women's Challenge, running on behalf of Round Table Children's Wish (RTCW), in September of 2005. Despite it being a blisteringly hot late summer's day it was a great experience, so when the girls asked me to take part again this year I was happy to agree.
Based in Bournemouth, but supported by Round Table and Ladies' Circle members nationally, RTCW grants wishes to children throughout Great Britain and Ireland suffering with life-threatening illnesses. Since it's founding in 1990 the charity have now granted over 1,000 wishes.
With 15,000 women taking part in the London event, this 5 kilometre charity run caters for women of all ages, shapes and sizes, so fortunately you don't have to be super-fit to take part.
I met up with the rest of the RTCW team in Hyde Park at 9:30 and the event was opened at 9:45 by 'Birds of a Feather' star Linda Robson. This was followed by a short group warm-up led on stage by singer Beverley Knight and then we all moved off to take our places in the mass of runners, variously sporting t-shirts advertising their chosen charity, holding balloons and even some wearing fancy dress.
The race was started at 10:45. but, with a staggered start to let the speedier participants go first, I didn't cross the start line until 11:10! Whilst I was no competition for the winner Ethiopian runner Meseret Defar, who finished in 15:08 (before I had even started!), I did manage to knock 10 minutes off my previous time, finishing at 11:50 - grabbing my goody bag at the end, tired but still smiling.
Thanks to the generosity of work colleagues, friends and family I raised £160 for RTCW.
Ester Hindley
