Snuggles warming up.

Snuggles warming up.

 

Date: Sunday  20th March 2016 Place: Queens Park, Caterham on the Hill.

Our bunny mascot, Snuggles welcomed nearly four hundred people to the ninth annual Easter Bunny runs at Queens Park Caterham.  Every finisher in the Bunny 1K Fun Run and the 5K Race received an Easter Egg. North Downs Hospital also gave all finishers goody bags with a water bottle and a T shirt. The cold did not dampen the spirits of the participants or their supporters, although they may have been glad to get back home to warm up!

First home in the 1k, which is not a race, was, Nicolas Smith who was followed by Simon Daly and Oliver Dace. The fastest runners in the 5k were Ryan Taylor in 18m 33s and Gareth Parr 3 seconds behind him in second place and the fastest lady was Diana Norman who came home in 19m 45s.

Congratulations to the following best-dressed bunnies who were awarded large chocolate rabbits & fluffy bunnies sponsored by Vet on the Hill who also presented the prizes: Lilia Sparks, Annalise Johnson, Jean Ford, Michaela Cooper, Tanya Stead and Michelle Longhurst

Emily Watson with the Bunny Hop Dance and Fitness team.

Emily Watson with the Bunny Hop Dance and Fitness team.

Emily Watson from Bunny Hop Dance & Fitness (BH Fitness) lead a vibrant warm up prior to both the events taking place. In addition to Emily’s presence she also bought with her a whole load of bunnies (her customers) to run/dance the 5K!  They decided to do the race in honour of a charity close to their hearts ‘Rays of Sunshine’, raising over £1000 already!

Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity was formed in 2003 to brighten the lives of children who are living with serious or life-limiting illnesses, between the ages of 3-18, across the United Kingdom. Emily commented  “2 of the ‘bunnies’ have experienced the blessings of this charity and wanted to support them to give other children the chance to have a wish granted!  Our team of bunnies are used to dancing and not running so this was a challenge that they were excited to conquer!”

Rose Thorn with Sonia Hunt & Snuggles the Bunny.

Rose Thorn with Sonia Hunt & Snuggles the Bunny.

Starter for the event was the Chair of Tandridge District Council, Councillor Rose Thorn  who entered into the spirit of the occasion by dressing in a Easter costume. She was assisted by Sonia The Tandridge Town Crier and who also presented the prizes. She was assisted by Sonia The Tandridge Town Crier. The MC  for the day was local radio presenter Tony Nash.

Our organiser for this event, Richard York said “We aim for everyone to have had a good time. We also hope they raised a lot of money for their chosen charity or for our Rotary charities. We are keen to learn how much was raised by all who took part and details should be sent to rotaryruns@gmail.com quoting the amount raised and for which charity or organisation.”

Some comments we have received from those who attended;

Thank you for organising, it was a really good community event. My 3 year old son ran in the 1km and raised over £300 go Save the Children.” N.D Caterham

“Hi. Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who organised the 1k bunny run on Queens Park yesterday. It was such a fun and really well run event. Thanks!! Would you know which paper was taking photos and for when so we know when to look out for photos? Thank you!” L.S. Caterham

“Thank you for organising it. Great fun had by all!” J.O. Caterham

We were very pleased to have the support of the following local sponsors who help keep our costs to an absolute minimum:

Just click on the links below for full details of the sponsors services! 

The Caterham and District Independent,

CATAX Ltd,

Ross Cycles,

Surrey National Golf Club,

The Vet on the Hill,

North Downs Hospital,

First Community Health and Care,

Tandridge District Council

Bunny Hop Dance and Fitness.

 

 

 

 

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f you wish to challenge yourself further The Rotary Club of Caterham are organising a half marathon and 10k on Sunday July 3 starting on Redhill Aerodrome, for more information please see www.caterhamrotaryhalf.co.uk. Alternatively they look forward to next year’s Easter Bunny runs on Sunday 9 April.