Polegate running club pays quirky tribute to NHS workers

Members from the Polegate Plodders running club used Strava and its GPS tracking tool over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend to create tributes to key workers at the NHS.

Strava is a fitness app which uses GPS tracker data to outline routes you have taken after a run, bike or walk.

The club held a virtual Easter relay race where members were split into teams of four and they had a week to complete a 5km leg alone, while respecting government social distancing guidelines.

Once one team member completed their leg, the second runner could go and so on. The team with the quickest time won overall.

One team called Egg Stravaganza dressed up in medical outfits as well to pay tribute to frontline health workers.

Team Egg Stravaganza which included Martin Sales, Becky Goldsmith, Noj Northway and Lorraine Sayers, also used their GPS devices to trace a route that spelt “PP loves NHS”.

Martin said, “Although our NHS team didn’t win on speed, it won the hearts of many and even attracted attention which led to our traces being shared on various social media platforms.”

Club events coordinator Vanessa Britton said, “Chairman Gary Skinner and I were overwhelmed at the enthusiasm and feedback from the teams; there were some amazing outfits plodding around Eastbourne.

“It has really shown how we have developed and nurtured the social side of the club and the impact the running community can have in lifting spirits. We are hoping to have another virtual event over the next Bank Holiday.”

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