Can Run Will Run: June 2019

Event: Run for Nepal 2019 (R4N19)

Location: Sandon Park, Nuneaton, North Warwickshire.

Date: Sunday June 23, 2019

IF ever there was an event with a difference, this was it – the Run for Nepal 2019 (R4N19) at Sandon Park, Nuneaton. I hadn’t even heard of it until a recent post by a fellow runner on the My Running Club app. So glad he did, because this was brilliant.

Four of us from our running club (Massey Ferguson) took part.

We rolled up into the sizeable field on a warm Sunday morning, to be greeted by a family-friendly scene, with a cluster of stalls, mobile Nepalese food outlet, colourful bunting and flags, a striking figure in traditional Lakhe costume and a bag piper from the Queen’s Gurkha Signals.

Traditional Lakhe costume at
the Run for Nepal.

The run was scheduled to start at 11.00am – but actually set off at about 11.45am. I learned later this was because far more people turned up than expected; more like 300 than the anticipated 200!

But it didn’t matter. The relaxed, informal atmosphere eased the waiting time. And the surprise turn-out was a boost for the cause – raising money for the Alzheimer's Society UK, and the Newa Charity (Dharan), which supports education for underprivileged children in Nepal.

If you felt up to it, you could test your strength and stamina with a workout on pull-up apparatus. Pull-up is one of the physical tests for Nepalese in Nepal during Gurkha Selection to join the British Army. There were also other challenges, such as sit-ups and doko (traditional basket) carry.

After announcements, there was a mass warm-up, where we were put through our paces with walking, stretches, squats etc. It felt like a big club training session.

We also crossed a narrow footbridge into a nearby field – part of the route – to scatter wildflower seeds. How lovely! Never done that at a run before. Should be an eye-catching blaze of colour once the flowers are in full bloom.

Crossing the bridge to plant
wildflower seeds.

Oh, and there was a display of Khukuri skills in a marshal-arts type dance by a group of energetic youngsters, and music by the piper.

And all before the start!

There were two routes – 5k and 10k. Two of us took the 10k, two the 5k. The run was officially started by the worshipful mayor, Mrs June Tandy, of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

Part of the route is shared, before splitting for the different distances and then merging again in the run-up to the finish.

We started in the field and again crossed the narrow bridge over the River Anker, before following the Weddington trail through a field of near waist-high corn.

The 10k route veered off along a gravelly surface towards a short but quite steep hill climb – I suppose you could call it ‘undulating’ – which most people walked up.

Once past the water station at the top, it was back down again before eventually turning on to the Coventry Canal and then easing along the back of Weddington’s Church Lane to finish. A ‘nice and gentle rolling route,’ as the organisers put it.

It was such a lovely route, it didn’t actually feel like 10k!

Race director was the charming Vinod Shrestha supported, thankfully, by an enthusiastic army of marshals! I’m glad they were there. Although a route map was on display, at first glance it looked rather baffling, with arrows pointing this way and that.

Unique touch - planting wildflower seeds.

In the event, it was actually quite straightforward – although without guidance, I could imagine it would be easy to go ‘off track!’

Medals were presented by local dignitaries, and there was plenty of water and post-run bananas and apples.

The youngest runner was aged just three, and the oldest 74! Fantastic!

Entry cost – an amazing £6.00 (online or on the day), although naturally you could make a donation.

There were more runners than expected this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this event grows as more people get to hear about it. The organisers say they have learned lessons from this year's event, and will put their 'heart and soul' into something even grander next year - R4N20.

A huge thanks to all involved - organisers, volunteers, stall-holders, marshals, sponsors and supporters.

All-in-all, a great way to kickstart Sunday, and a little gem of a run that's already in my calendar for next year.

Category results:

Fastest Male 5K – Jason Nicholson 00:22:00
Fastest Female 5K – Tina Thick-Broom 00:228:15
Fastest Male 10K – Robert Faulkner 00:41:03
Fastest Female 10K – Melanie Hill 00:52:04
Senior Citizen – Ted Cotterill 74 Yrs Old, Completed 10K in 01:00:50
Gurkha Selection Male Leader – Subin Limbu (60 Sec Score: Pullups -18, Situps – 55, Doko 15kg/15Mtr- 17Laps)
Gurkha Selection Female Leader – Prapti Shrestha (60 Sec Score: Pullups – 3, Situps – 42, Doko Carry 15kg/15Mtr – 14 Laps)
Youngest Runner – Miss Suzie Shrestha 3 Yrs Old, Completed 5K in 01:27:43