Some people often ask how I ended up hosting events, and the answer is....well by accident really. Growing up I wanted to be a radio presenter, but never fully pursued it. Yes I have presented on volunteer and hospital radio, I have even won an award for my show but its not my job and actually if it was a job would I enjoy it as much? I have DJ'd as along as I can remember and worked on a variety of productions and shows in my spare time. I volunteered at the local hospital station and it was from there I started hosting at running events. A fellow presenter asked if I would make some announcements at an event they were doing for work, alway happy to help I went along to the event expecting a works fun day.....how wrong was I. I was introduced to Louise and Jo the organisers who handed me a 'script', they asked 'if I could entertain people as they arrived' and let them know what time the race was happening. They expected around 200 ladies to run a 5K. It was great fun and at the end they asked if I would like to do it again next year. Those 200 ladies at that event were the first ever runners in Race for Life Cardiff, the year was 1996. For the next 8 years I hosted for them and helped the local organisers increase the participation and gradually increase the number of events in Wales. Eventually September 2003 I left my job to go and work for Race for Life full time, by now the Cardiff race was at 10,000. I started to organise my own races, and commentate/host at other events across the Uk including at the flagship Battersea event. As time moved on and career paths changed I left Race for Life, but very soon ther came an opportunity to host for a new event MoRunning for Movember. I have often said, whilst there are many fun runs in the UK, MoRun is as close to race for Life as far as the inclusion and fun goes. It really does have a special feel to the event. Gradually MoRun has grown and I have been able to go with the team to host in Cardiff, Swansea, Dublin, Bristol, Birmingham and Nottingham. In addition I have hosted at Go Dad Run, Winter Warmer, The Poppy Run, Reindeer Run and more dinners and functions than I care to remember I think being outdoors helping others to achieve their running goals is so important, and as long as people can stand to listen to me, often speaking for a solid 3 hours, then long may it continue.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorAfter 24 years of helping others to achieve their running goals - it is now my time. Archives
February 2022
Categories |