Third World Run 2008 Annual Report

Chairman’s Report For 2008

The 22nd Third World Run was held on Sunday 18 May 2007 at the usual venue, Ormeau Park, and the day was a great success. The weather was very pleasant and it was gratifying to see so many runners of all ages and abilities having what one person described as ‘a thoroughly enjoyable day out’. Once again family groups were very much in evidence as were the familiar faces of those participants who have supported us over the years.

The Run itself went relatively smoothly with no major problems or upsets. The High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Margaret McKenzie, acted as the Official Starter for both the 10K and 3K events. Councillor McKenzie also presented a number of prizes at the end – as did Karen Alexander who was the first female home in the 10K.

Altogether 490 people took part – 180 in the 10K and 310 in the 3K – which was down on the previous year. Entries have fallen in the last two years, especially in the 10K event. The following table compares the totals for 1999, 2003, 2006 and 2008 as well as giving the averages for the Years 1999 to 2008.

YR 10K 3K TOTAL NO RAISING TOTAL TOTAL
  ENTRIES ENTRIES ENTRIES SPONSORSHIP SPONSORSHIP & MONEY
  DONATIONS DISTRIBUTED
 
1999 145 215 360 31 2194 4800
2003 205 290 495 53 3924 6400
2006 265 365 639 37 5363 10800
2008 180 310 490 30 3569 7600
AVE 222 313 535 36 3582 7420
(over 10 years)

A total of £7600 was available for distribution to the four benefiting agencies: Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam Ireland and Trocaire. Most of the money raised comes from Entry Fees, Entrants’ Sponsorship and donations, with a small amount from the sale of T-shirts.

As well as a drop in the actual number taking part, the number raising sponsorship has also been declining with obvious results for the total raised by sponsorship and donations.

Obtaining media publicity for the Run once again proved very difficult despite the best efforts of Ann McIntyre of Christian Aid, Kerri Denmark of Oxfam Ireland and others. Provincial newspapers and community newspapers were the most helpful with a little coverage from the three main Belfast papers. As far as I am aware there was no radio or television publicity at all.

The publicity launch for the 2008 Run in April was held at the Belfast Wheel with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Jim Rodgers, and four pupils, one girl and three boys, from Longstone Special School, Dundonald present. Only one news photographer turned up and, although he took a number of pictures, not a single one appeared in that particular newspaper.

Happily, the colourful Third World Banners were displayed very prominently at the Wheel for most of the day for all to see.

Karen Alexander, who was the 3rd female finisher and the first local woman home in the 2008 Belfast City Marathon, volunteered to help with publicity by agreeing to be interviewed by the media but again, unfortunately, the media showed little interest.

On 12 November 2008 an informal social event was held in the Malone Lodge Hotel, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. The purpose of this event was to allow us to make a number of presentations:
• a cheque for £1900 to each of the four benefiting agencies – Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam Ireland and Trocaire
• a perpetual cup and £100 to St Colman’s Primary School in recognition of their efforts in raising sponsorship
• a perpetual cup and £100 to Longstone Special School, Dundonald in recognition of their efforts in raising sponsorship
• a certificate to Niall Barker, Andrew McNally, Francesco Fitzpatrick and Douglas Gibson in recognition of an outstanding personal contribution to the Third World Run
• prizes to individual who raised sponsorship
• prizes to individuals who submitted early entries.
(The prizewinners were decided as the result of a draw from all those eligible)

The event was well attended and proved to be quite enjoyable for all present. Light refreshments were served. A number of pictures were taken and distributed to the newspapers with an accompanying account of the event – with the usual predictable response!

On 16 December the Belfast Telegraph printed a short article publicizing the 2009 Run Accompanying the article was a photo of four pupils from St Colman’s Primary School, Lambeg. I am grateful to the pupils and staff of St Colman’s for their help and co=operation for this photo shoot at extremely short notice.

The BT reporter was also keen to do a further article in 2009 closer to the date of the Run.

On behalf of the Committee, I should like to thank a number of people who have consistently supported us over the years:
• Our Patrons – Lady Anne McCollum (and family), David Dunseath and John Daly
• The Management and Staff of the Ozone Centre
• Ray Mullan, Collar and Tie Menswear, Lisburn who has provide us with T-shirts every year
• Michael Jenkins of Up & Running, Belfast for prizes and publicity
• Frazer and Cleaver Black, Independent Financial Services Ltd for continuing sponsorship and undertaking much of the administration of the Run
• Patrick McCarney of Hilltop B & B for continuing sponsorship
• John McGill for providing trophies and prizes
• Derek Mason for supplying the PA system.
• Denis Kelly and Derek Kelly for setting out the course and organizing the marshals
• Our volunteers and marshals

I should also like to thank the following:
• The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Jim Rodgers
• The High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Margaret Mc Kenzie
• The Malone Lodge Hotel for hosting our function on 12 November

I am most grateful to the members of the Third World Run Committee for their continuing involvement, support, help and encouragement during the past year and most particularly in the weeks before the Run, on the day of the Run itself and at the social function on 12 November.

It would be unfair to single out any individual members of the Committee for mention but special thanks are due to Denis Kelly who took over the running of the Third World website and has maintained and expanded it so successfully.

Most of all I wish to thank all those actually took part in the Run for without them there would be no Third World Run at all. Run with us in 2009 and show you still care!

John Watson
Chairman
12 January 2009