Last Saturday (July 25th), our team of 9 brilliant runners, completed the ASICS 10K.
We were delighted that we managed to get the message out to our supporters that we were participating in the race and that so many of you responded to volunteer your services. It goes to show how many of you share our view that by educating the young, we really can help empower communities in Palestine.
Our first runners to sign up were long time supporters Tom and Claire, no strangers to supporting our work and they were later joined by Shabina and her husband Abdool. We also gained some new recruits in a group of 5 a side footballers Faiz, Samir, Rushdee, Bapikee and their friend Melinda and our Comms Officer Heather also took part. All of our Team Galilee runners were at different levels of fitness and experience but none the less put the training hours in and set about fundraising through their respective networks.
The day itself was slightly humid but less scorching than it had been and thankfully dry. An early start meant that those in the first wave had to arrive at the starting line at 9 am, with the last runners crossing the finish line by 11:30. It was a flat and fast 10K taking in the sights of central London, starting at Horseguards parade, before winding through Piccadilly and along the Thames, then past the UK parliament before terminating just south of Trafalgar Square. Our finishers received plenty of refreshments and cheers from the crowds along the way.
In the end we smashed through our fundraising target and raised some much needed cash for our scholarship program and all the projects we support through our partners in Palestine/Israel.
We hope to field another team of runners for next years event so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, the Royal Parks Half Marathon is going ahead on October 10th in London. If you would like to sign up for that then please do, we would love to have you on board. Email info@galileefoundation.org.uk to get registered.
Runners Shabina and Abdool
