As mentioned previously, there is always some group at Explore trying to raise funds for Charity. Some are more dedicated than others! Personally I simply throw my money in the tin but therse guys, hats off to them, actually get off their backside and do something (I’m hanging my head in shame). So over to Emily (who looks after Explore’s Private Groups section):
Way back in December an entry form for the Hart Sprint Triathlon landed on my desk. With the Christmas excesses approaching the idea of getting fit enough to swim 400 metres, cycle 20 kilometres and finish off with a 5k run appealed to 18 Explore staff, friends and family!
In 2006 the event had been a big success in with 10 people taking part, 3 of whom had even done it before so the experience surely couldn’t be that bad!
So training started for most of the team in January, mainly in the gym due to the weather. Once the clocks had changed and the sun started to shine we started group cycle sessions on a Sunday to learn the route. Shiny new bikes where bought and the competition heated up.
We decided to raise money for the national charity Marie Curie Cancer Care as the staff involved came from all over the south of England. I have also been working closely with them over the last few months putting together weekend charity challenges to Lapland and Sicily.
So early on a Bank Holiday Monday, the nerves where high! The Explore team were some of the first in the pool. With all of us out of the pool within 15 minutes we jumped on our bikes to ride the 20 kms. The wind was strong so the speed was slower than in training. We had two heroic stories from the bike leg, Sean our Customer Relations Manager had a flat tyre as he left the transition area but showed real determination to cycle the 20kms in the name of charity. Then half way round the cycle course Rob (the husband of Flights Systems Manager – Kay) bike broke so he abandoned his bike to run the second half of the cycle before embarking on the run.
Many of us finished the cycle in under an hour and with legs like jelly set off on the cross-country run. James was well ahead by this point was the second person out of a field of over 400 to cross the line – although due to the staggered start actually came 39th! A great position for a first timer. Our first lady to cross the line was Lucy finishing in just under 1hr 30mins. The rest of us all come through over the next hour, with the motivation of our colleagues shouting our names form the finish line there where many a sprint finish.
After a good stretch we all headed to the pub for a well earned Bank Holiday beer. We all had a great day whether we were there to do well or simply get round and raise some cash. Total so far is £1,800 but we hope to hit £2,000.
Well done to James, Lucy, Tim, Tanya, Debbie, Lark, Fran, Rick, Claire, Kay and Sean, Rob, Phil and Carol for completing this great event and raising a great amount of money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
If you are interested in helping raise money for Marie Curie Cancer care and enjoy the Explore experience please see www.mariecurie.org.uk or contact them on 01884 703 540.
