News Release

5th September 2011

THE RUNNERS POURED IN AS THE RAIN POURED DOWN

It poured down with rain and people got drenched to the skin. Knowing the forecast, many would have stayed in bed, but just under 200 intrepid runners and walkers, from cross country racers to dog walkers and weekend ramblers, still turned out for Feed The Children (UK) yesterday (Sunday 4th September) when they strode out to take part and raise money in the Samuel Hood Memorial 10K Peppard Fun Run/7K Walk in Rotherfield, Peppard, Oxon. 

Overall winner and first man home

was Thomas Watkins (19), the 2010

winner, from Great Sheffield, Hungerford who finished in just 36 minutes 43 seconds and beat his last year time by 3 seconds. Thomas is currently a student at Cambridge University. Fastest woman was Elaine Laver (36) from Reading who recorded a time of 44 minutes 31 seconds.  All winners received trophies sponsored by The Hood Family and Thomas’ name will also go on the annual BookRabbit.com winner’s shield. The Hood Family also sponsored the annual Best Fundraiser shield and trophy, which will be presented later in September.

For the juniors, veterans and walkers, first boy home was 15-year-old Sam Andrews from Waltham St. Lawrence who attends Reading Blue Coats School, with a time of 46 minutes 26 seconds. Sam won the junior title last year and this year beat that record by 1 minute 93 seconds. The fastest veteran (over 65) was Roy MacNeil (71) from Earley, again a 2010 winner, who clocked up 49 minutes, 40 seconds. Roy says “the Peppard run is an excellent course, well marshalled and friendly event”. The first walker home was Josh Edgar (14) from Wargrave.

“It was fantastic that so many supporters turned out on the day, especially as the forecast was absolutelydreadful and theheavens opened just after everyone set off,” says Feed The Children’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Main."We are grateful to all our sponsors, supporters, volunteersand the former organising Committee’s continued support, who established the event for us. It is a superbroute for both runners and walkersand we do hope that even more people will come along next year.”

The event started and finished at Greys Green Golf Course, thanks to the owners Mr and Mrs Alexander Hood who kindly give permission to use their land. The runners and walkers were fortified with free bananas courtesy of Fyffes; Thames Water supplied the water; massages at the event by Body Retreat; Beville’s estate agents of Sonning Common provided the runners’ numbers, The Hood Family sponsored the trophies, and the loos were provided by A1 Loo Hire of Wokingham. The money was raised through the entry fees and sponsorship for the race and walk is almost £3k with more sponsorship to come.

Below you can download the race times for every runner who took part...

View Race Times 2011