Newham Classic 10k 2011

Off message: The photo collage is from the Newham Classic 10k Run on Sunday.  We started and finished in West Ham Park (my Council ward). Double click picture to bring up detail. The run took 1 hour 8 minutes (3 minutes earlier than last month's Newham London 10k). Must do better.

The weather was lovely and warm with blue skies and sunshine. The blossom of the the trees on route was simply gorgeous.  Mr "Reggie, Reggie" Sauce" Levi Roots, helped see us off (top left).  Picture of Tessa Sanderson cheering us on on (bottom left).

Main top picture is of the elite athletes storming past us home in just over 30 minutes! Bottom middle is of Mr Singh, who competed the race in good time despite being 100 years old!  While bottom right is another one of the race finishers proudly wearing his medal.

Newham London Run 2011

Yesterday I was marching in central London, today I was running (very slowly) around the Olympic Park in Stratford, Newham.  So another day, another photo collage. This 10k run started outside the Railway Tavern Hotel (one of the best pubs in Newham by far) and was set off by Cllr Paul Brickell, the Newham Council Executive Member for Olympics and Public Affairs.

We ran through Westfield Stratford City and the 2012 Olympic site.  Then along the Greenway and finished in Stratford Park (which is in my ward, West Ham).  Nearly 4000 runners took part.

The run really brings to home the huge size of the Olympic park and the massive regeneration that is going on.  This is great news for Newham and East London.

Cllr Forhad Hussain was I think the only other Newham Councillor taking part (UNISON member of course) he was also on the March yesterday.  He ran with his twin brother Fokrul and was supported by his "Team Hussain" nephew supporters. 

It took me 1 hour 11 minutes which is pretty slow but 7 minutes better I think than last year.  Next year I will try and break the 1 hour (and maybe even run the marathon that I was supposed to have done this year).

All in all a great event and I would encourage everyone to take part next year.  I'll post all the pictures on Facebook when I get a chance.

(double click to bring up picture detail.)