Polegate Plodders celebrate VE Day in style

Runners were split into teams of three and each team member had to complete a 5k run from home on their own as quickly as possible. Overall, 13 teams took part and each team was given a patriotic or World War 2 themed name such as Churchill’s Champions, Speedy Spitfires and Vera Lynn’s Lovelies.

Club Events Coordinator Vanessa Britton said: “Following the success of the Easter challenge, we looked to build on the club’s high spirits and participation at the next Bank Holiday opportunity.

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“The VE Virtual Relay was inspired by one of our members; he completed the last relay with a Union Jack Flag in recognition of all the Olympians and Paralympians who trained for Tokyo 2020 only for it to come crashing down because of the Covid19 pandemic.”

Runners were simply asked to complete the challenge wearing something red, white or blue. Prizes were on offer for the most imaginative creations and the best Fancy Dressed.

The British Bulldogs came first in a time of 1 hour, 16 minutes, 53 seconds, two minutes ahead of We’ll Never Flag. The winning team consisted of Stephanie Boorer, Ian Weston and Club President Sally Weston.

“Speaking for Ian and myself, w were delighted to find ourselves in the winners’ position for this VE Day Virtual Relay event. We both ran our 5k very early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat which seemed to pay off,” Sally said.

“These events certainly help to lift the spirits of our club members and as President, I look forward to the time when we can all meet up and remind ourselves of the fun we had,” Sally said.

The fancy dress winners were Andy Britton, Shauni Wells and Noj Northway. Britton pounded the Stone Cross streets wearing a Union Jack morph costume, Wells graced Shinewater Park in an RAF suit and Northway did his best Churchill impression in his office with the famous stare and cigar.

The Eager Evacuees Team of Martin Sales, Becky Goldsmith and Caroline Skinner earned special praise for their efforts as they each filmed themselves dressed as evacuee children on their first day of being evacuated at the start of war and then returning home at the end.

Sales said: “We put our fancy dress outfits together with whatever we had Blue Peter style and filmed/took photos of our evacuations. We lost on speed but more than made up for that by winning on fun.”

Events Coordinator Britton said: “We had many patriotic costumes and Union Jacks worn in different ways, the involvement from the members was overwhelming once again.”

The end of May Bank Holiday gives the Plodders another chance to show case their talents, albeit athletic or dramatic and has already been announced.

“It is an Ekiden (3 runners doing 5k, 7k and 9k to make a half marathon) and the theme is Spring into Summer so watch out for more high jinks on the local streets,” concluded Vanessa.

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