We couldn’t have asked for a brighter or a more beautiful golden autumnal day for the World AIDS Day Red Run, that took place in the beautiful leafy Victoria Park in East London on 26th November.
People began to arrive, register, check in their bags, grab a free coffee from the Starbucks tent and collect their RedRun T shirt. The effect was really uplifting -a sea of red runners gathering from many different charities, joining together on one morning to raise HIV awareness and funds for their chosen HIV charity. It felt good to be a part of such a great community event.
Horse Meat Disco provided the music, and some feet couldn’t help but start to dance…a perfect warm up!
Team Mildmay included members of staff from across the hospital and supporters, some running 10k and some 5k. I was taking part in my first ever ‘fun run’ so it was the 5k for me!
Then it was count down time…Dame Barbara Windsor cut the red ribbon and the runners were off.
The route took us around the park, creating a snaking ribbon of red. The atmosphere was brilliant and really supportive. Two laps for those tackling the 5k and four laps for the 10k.
Once my Red Run (I admit some walking also took place!) was complete I joined those cheering from the side-lines, waving in our own 10K champions, my own and first ever running medal proudly gleaming in the sunshine.
It was a really wonderful day, a great atmosphere, a chance to meet friends from other charities and share a really lovely morning.
Next year the Run will be held on 1st December and I fully intend to be there, running for World AIDS Day, to raise funds for Mildmay and to be part of this really fantastic event.
You can still donate on line to Mildmay’s fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teammildmay
Well done to Positive East for all their hard work – see you next year!