Running for the 7th year, Leanne and her family are participating in the 10k event and children’s 1 mile Fun Runs. Gabriel and Lila, have participated in the one-mile races since they were old enough to do so.
Leanne says, “The weekend of the YMCA Fun Run is one of our favourite spring weekends. Watching all the kids from their school and all the other schools can make you quite teary and emotional. We cheer for the ones up at the front who put in amazing times, as do we those at the back who struggle and try their hardest. Gabriel is 11 now and is way faster than all of us! My kids have raised money each year and we are always delighted to be doing so for the YMCA to help young people and try to tackle the homelessness issue in North London.”
“Last year in the 2018 event, Lila got a stitch and could not finish and she was really upset! As a result, she signed up for London Heathside’s Youth Section running sessions at Finsbury Park running track on Tuesday evenings. These sessions are brilliant. The kids take part in sprinting, relay running, long jump and lots more, all led by professional coaches. Since then, we have not missed one session, even in the driving rain and snow. They charge just £3 for a drop-in session.
I look forward to another year running with my family and spending the day with what feels like the whole of Crouch End, for many more years to come. Thank you to YMCA North London for all the great work you are doing to keep us healthy and fit and putting on such a lovely community day.”
Fran Johnson, YMCA North London Race Director said “It’s great to hear that Lila is training so hard for the races with her friends. All our races are an opportunity for running competitively or just for fun with your friends. We appreciate the efforts of everyone who runs on the day, child or adult, and who raise money for the work we do here at YMCA North London.
Jerry Odlin, London Heathside AC Chair said, “It is exciting to think that a young person may have started their sporting career in athletics at the YMCA North London’s Fun Run. Lila is just one of many such people who have come to our club this way. London Heathside are a long-term supporter of the YMCA’s event providing over 30 volunteer members each year to act as course marshals for the adult 10k event. It is always a pleasure to see so many local people run a challenging 10k event, many for the first time.”
To enter the races, click here
Open your own page to start fundraising here
To sponsor Leanne and family, click here
For tips and information about training for the 10k event, visit: https://ymcalondoncan.org/events/fun-run-festival/training/
For parents of budding athletes – click here
London Heathside AC, as community partners to the YMCA North London Fun Runs, also provide volunteer marshalls for the Adult 10k event. To be a volunteer marshall for the 10k, contact Dave Robertson: robertsonhome@blueyonder.co.uk
