Chris Reason Charity Run, 5 Feb 2012


A bunch of merry runners from Plymouth Musketeers paid tribute to Chris Reason, formerly of Frank Elford Sports shop who died young last year despite his fitness.

Proceeds from the Chris Reason Tribute Run were donated to help support his young family. As result the event was in celebration of his life and role in helping runners of all ages and abilities and less of a race, more of a cross-country fun run, although the terrain was testing and muddy.

Sunday’s run reflected the celebration with runners in fancy dress in a cheery mood from across the spectrum of age, experience and ability.

This resulted in the bizarre sight of a large crowd of Noddies, leprechauns and fairies trudging round the mud and shrieking oggy, oggy, oggy, oi, oi, oi, throughout the route round Newnham Park, Plymouth.

Local residents, dog walkers on a peaceful stroll, the natural wildlife and serious looking off-road bikers were all wide-eyed in amazement at the colourful and rowdy sight. Indeed we obviously disturbed some people badly deep in dingly dell because the woods rang with the sound of shotguns alarmingly close.

In true team spirit most of the Musketeers ran together in solidarity. Sam, Donna, Robin (her first ever race), Kate, Sarah, Sharon, Chris Andrews, Doug, Kev, Robin, Guy, Neil and Dave, Caroline.

There were some who preferred a faster pace however, with Maggie the fairy forming a break away group, while Dave, Guy and a hung-over Neil led the way and ran back to encourage the larger contingent to the finish – only to find Chris A had beaten us all back.

‘All for one and one for all’ – except Mr Andrews! He, He.

Finally, we were all chuffed to bits to survive the shooting and terrain and to receive a mini running shoe as a momento at the finish. All in all a very fitting event in memory of Chris, with the Musketeers throwing themselves into the party spirit.

By Guy