Fun Run Report

One hundred and eighty-three competitors, including fifty-nine children, took part in the thirteenth Long Wittenham Fun Run last Sunday (28th April), raising money for a variety of village causes.  The youngest participant was four years old and there was a dozen in the new over 65s category.

The course had to be altered because of the amount of rain that has fallen in recent weeks, but it meant the participants were able to take in some new sights around Neptune Wood.  The House of Wessex, the Totem Pole and the Community Orchard were all passed on the new route, and everyone managed to get back to The Plough without injuring themselves in any of the deep puddles.

First home, in a time of 18mins, 27secs, was eighteen-year-old Matthew Quartermain, who finished over a minute ahead of his nearest rival, Yiannis Michellis.  Yiannis, who was the fastest villager (19mins 59secs), has been leading a new running club at the village school and this encouragement to run paid off with fifteen of the pupils taking part.

In the women’s competition, Eileen Naughton won in 22mins, 27secs and Suzy Bowtell was the fastest villager in 25mins, 55secs.  The winners of the new over 65s category were Peter Greenland (29mins, 16secs) and Janet Hill (37mins, 59secs).

After the race there was a barbecue and cake stall in the garden of The Plough Inn which was organised by the Pre-school and Primary School PTA and raised over £600 to be split between the two.  The event entries made a total of over £700 which will be split between the Sylva Foundation, Earth Trust and other village causes.

Prew Bowtell, the organiser of the event, thanked The Plough and their team for continuing to host and support the event, the Sylva Foundation for allowing the re-routing through their land, and for the use of the Wood Centre car park, and also Earth Trust for the use of their land.  Thanks also went to Tesco for providing bananas for the finishers and a voucher to spend on sweets and stationery supplies, and the Parish Council for funding the awards.

Prew also paid tribute to the nearly fifty volunteers who continued smiling through the rain and ensured the event was a success.

Download the full results and results by category (Long & Little Wittenham villagers highlighted).