Phew, the rain stayed away!
With the dark clouds looming and rain threatening we thought we were in for another wet event. However, the sun shone through to make the 2010 Keep Your Eye On The Ball Run the best yet.
Over 300 turned out in Victoria Park, London, to not only get active but also raise awareness and funds in the fight against male cancer.
Due to the popularity of the 10K run in 2009, this distance was here to stay and over 150 men decided to take on the challenge. Beating his time by a minute and improving on his second place from last year was winner, Lee Haze who finished in 35 mins and 53 secs – well done Lee. He was followed by John Foster in 37 mins and 32 secs and hot on his heals was Tim Ballard who finished in 37 mins and 48 secs.
Once the 10K had finished it was time for the 5K runners to take to the course. As usual, these runners didn’t disappoint us and everyone finish in a quick time – the race was over within 49 minutes! The 5K winner was Paul Wycherley who finished in an impressive 18 mins and 01 sec. Coming in second was Leon School pupil, David Lysaght in 19 mins and 36 secs with third going to Paschal Volney who finished in 20 mins and 26 secs.
The unique football theme of the run allows participants to run for their favourite football team adding an additional competitive element to the day. With over 30 clubs represented, clubs from lower divisions found themselves pitted against Premier League clubs. In true FA cup style the underdog came through with Ipswich Town winning the fastest average time in the 10K but the bigger clubs stepped up their game and in the 5K Arsenal couldn’t be beaten.
Thank you to everyone who took part and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2011!
The sponsorship from the event is still coming in but we hope to raise over £40,000 for Everyman's vital research into prostate and testicular cancer. The runner who raises and sends in the most sponsorship by 1 July will be pitted against the runner who raises the most sponsorship from Sheffield to win three tickets to the England and Montenegro game in Wembley on Tuesday 12 October.
Thanks to the following companies, football teams and individuals who supported the event to make the day such a great success:
The Football Association
The Professional Footballers Association
The Victoria Park Harriers Running Club
Millwall Football Club
Dr Des Thompson (Millwall team doctor)
Our volunteer photographer: Dave Jackson
Racetiming systems
Bigfoot Catering
KK Katering
Donovan’s Ice Cream
PPA Photography
Abbey Wells Water
Haribo
All the volunteers who helped out on the day