Third World Run 2010 Annual Report

THIRD WORLD RUN

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2010

The 24th Third World Run was held on Sunday 23 May 2010 at the Ozone Centre, Ormeau Park, and we had another successful event. The day itself was probably one of the hottest days in an otherwise miserable month and, unfortunately, this caused a drop in our numbers as families took the opportunity to go to the seaside for the day. Some of our regulars actually entered and paid their fees and/or gave donations but apologised for not being able to take part in the Run itself.
 
Altogether about 375 people took part – 164 in the 10K and 211 in the 3K – which was down on the previous year when 490 took part – 180 in the 10K and 310 in the 3K. Interestingly enough, the number who entered before the Run was 240 which was the same as in 2009 while entries on the day were only 135 – much fewer than in previous years. This seemed to indicate that the very hot weather was indeed a factor which mitigated against us.

Happily, this year the date of our Run did not clash with other major events as happened the previous year with the Race for Life being held on the morning and the NI Hospice inaugural Run being held in the afternoon of the same day as our Run. Both organizations had been notified of the date for our 2010 Run well in advance, as had the organizers of the RunHer Belfast Telegraph event, so that there were no clashes this time.

This year we were delighted to have Chris Davidson, a personal fitness trainer, leading a 10-minute warm-up session just before the start of the 10K Run. He was ably assisted by prize-winning chef and restaurateur, Michael Deane. Chris and his wife, Stephanie, took part in the 3K event with their young son. Michael and his wife Kate took part in the 10K.

Laurence Frazer, our Vice Chairman, took over responsibility for briefing, positioning and liaising with the marshals who were stationed at strategic points along the route.

Once again first aid services were provided by Ambutran under the direction of Alastair Ferguson and I am glad to report that there were no serious medical emergencies.

A total of £7400 was available for distribution to the four benefiting agencies. Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam Ireland and Trocaire each received £1850. Most of the money raised comes from Entry Fees, Entrants’ Sponsorship and donations, with a small amount from the sale of T-shirts.

This year, we received a very welcome donation of £1000 from the Irish News through the generosity of Jim Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Board of Directors, who also promised support from the newspaper itself in publicizing the Run. As a result we were more successful in securing publicity in advance of the Run thanks to the staff of the Irish News

We are also grateful to local, community and provincial newspapers, to Candy Devine of Downtown Radio, Frank Mitchell of u105 and Wendy Austin of BBC’s Talkback for very favourable publicity.

A special word of thanks is due to Michael Deane who took time out from his busy schedule to enter into the spirit of things by running along College Gardens with a tray of plates to give Hugh Russell, photographer, and Maeve Connolly, reporter a great picture and story for the Irish News. Both Hugh and Maeve took part in the Run along with others from the paper. Thank you both.

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 Irish News
• The Management and Staff of the Ozone Centre
• Ray Mullan, Collar and Tie Menswear, Lisburn who has provide us with T-shirts every year
• 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 and operating the PA system for a nominal fee
• Denis Kelly and Derek Kelly for setting out the course and organizing the marshals
• Our volunteers and marshals
• The PSNI for the supply and delivery of marking cones and for their very visible presence and help on the day of the Run

I should also like to thank:
 Jim Fitzpatrick, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Irish News for a very generous donation
 Andrew Hassard of the Northern Ireland Sports Council for supplying walkie-talkies for use on the day
 Athletics NI for support and publicity and help in obtaining marshals
 Chris Davidson for organizing the pre-Run warm up
 Michael Deane for being such a good sport

My personal thanks are due to the very small but dedicated group of people who form the Third World Run Committee who have worked so hard and consistently to ensure the success of our event over the years.

Two our committee members have left us for work reasons and I thank them for their contribution to the Third World Run. They are: Claire Hanna of Concern Worldwide and Gillian Thompson of Oxfam Ireland and they have been replaced by Mariclare Gallagher and Louise Darragh

Once again my greatest thanks must go to those who actually took part in the Run and most especially those who have do so tirelessly year after year.

I have referred earlier to our committee which is very small in number. Most of the members are in full-time employment and are only able to devote a limited amount of time to the Third World Run. This is particularly true of the representatives of the 4 agencies. Some members have served on the committee for a very long time – from the first Run in 1987 - and they have worked tirelessly since then while others are relatively new. We are always anxious to attract new blood and new ideas and we would welcome anyone who would like to join our committee.

This year our personnel resources were stretched to the limit on the day and we would have needed more marshals on the route and more volunteers to undertake the variety of tasks that are essential to the success of the event.

Not only do we need more volunteers but we need to know numbers at the beginning of May to enable us to plan and deploy our volunteers more effectively well in advance of the Run.

Our Run this year took place on Sunday 23 May and it was on Sunday 25 May 25 years ago that 20,000,000 people in 274 cities in 78 countries across the world ran or walked 10k to support a marathon Sport Aid event – Run the World – to raise funds to alleviate famine in Ethiopia. Three of the founding members of our Third World Run event – Tom Wilson, John McGill and myself - took part then and it was this Sport Aid event which prompted them to set up our own Belfast event the following year.

2011 will see us hold our 25th Run and we hope that some of the people who took part in the Bob Geldof-inspired Run the World 10K in 1986 and anyone who took part in our own inaugural Run in 1987 will join us for the 25th Third World Run.

This will be the main theme and the focus of our publicity for our launch in April 2011 and we would like to hear from anyone who took part in either or both events all those years ago.

John Watson, Chairman, 19 January 2011