Senior Citizen Betty runs with style

11:54am Sunday 28th September 2008

• The recent very successful Samaritans 7 Run brought the runners through Preston and along Oakbury Drive twice, much to my surprise! I went out to offer encouragement to the intrepid competitors from the comfort of a garden chair outside my house. Having seen what I thought was the last runner pass, I went back indoors, only, some while later, to see some of the same runners striding past on a second lap, so out I went with more words of encouragement. It was noticeable that the large police contingent, including local resident Nick Matin - well done to them for their support to the charity - were considerably more spread out the second time around! I was going to say they take no prisoners, but that probably isn't correct!

Bringing up the rear was sweeper' Les, whose job it was to escort the last runner so that the marshals on the course knew that the race was over. Les, who belongs to Egdon Heath Harriers, is very good runner in his own right, and has a sympathetic personality which is ideal to helping along the back markers. On this occasion he was running with a 78 year old lady called Betty who lives further along the south coast. She had a long history in the Brighton and Hove Albion Running Club, and could remember a "young whipper snapper" called Seb Coe from her early running days.

Betty wasn't sure she was going to do the two laps, but, with Les's support and encouragement, she completed the full distance, running at a 13 minute mile pace. Many much younger runners would be happy with that, and lots of people applauded her efforts as she crossed the finishing line. It was lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves, and all in a good cause.

• Chris Dursley has given me an update on the Weymouth & Portland Hospitals League of Friends Art & Crafts Exhibition being held at the St Andrew's Church Rooms on Saturday, 4th October between 10.00am and 4.00pm. He says "The two previous events met with such great success that there were many requests for another, so here is our third. The Exhibition will consist of demonstrations and exhibitions of work by various local artists and craftsmen and women. There will be over twenty exhibitors showing their work- which is always of the very highest standards -many of whom have exhibited previously with us. Most of the work will be for sale. Several are local artists.

Refreshments will be available throughout the day with Ploughman's Lunches at lunchtime. A Grand Raffle will be held with several excellent prizes including a generous hamper and gift vouchers. We are very grateful to Gould's Garden centre at Preston and Value House for their generous support of the event. Your membership and support for this and all our events will help continue this much needed funding to hospitals in the local area, such as the £27,000 Rapid Response Vehicle provided for the local Hospital Trust." Do drop in and give them your support.

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