"...44 pink balloons, floating in the summer sky...."

RACE SIX: SALISBURY- 1ST JULY 2012

Sunday 1st July saw the biggest turn out yet of Team Tonia 'athletes' - 44 pink ladies arrived at Hudsons Field in Salisbury to take part in the sixth Race for Life event in our series of ten.  Just two days before, Emma found herself lying on the chiropractors bed again, but this time due to a Toddler Group related injury!  Emma was not the only injured member of the Team; a broken toe, plantar facilitis (dodgy arch), recent hospital admission and another bad back accompanied us around the course!

Beau with the Team Tonia wagon (or possibly ambulance?)

Once again the team were aided by their loyal support crew; husbands, children and parents all turned up to help erect the banner, inflate balloons, tie ribbons and look after the little ones.  A certain godson of mine made us all very proud when he stepped up to volunteer after a request over the tannoy.  He quickly donned an official Cancer Research UK volunteers' t-shirt and was later seen handing out medals and water at the finish line. 

The Salisbury Massive

The group, ranging in age from 3 to 63 (and maybe even older!), were all given a balloon on their arrival and a pink tag on which to write their dedications. 

Becky with her balloon

Once the team had scribed the names of loved ones onto the tags, we were all ushered towards the stage for another Team Tonia 'moment of  fame'.  The Cancer Research UK events management team had asked us to step up on to the stage and say a few words about our challenge and the large group that formed Team Tonia.  Thankfully after Emma's recent radio interview, a live 'Q & A' session did not phase her at all; I, however, stood nervously at her side, waving my balloon at the crowd and looking at the floor!  Never in a million years did  Emma and I think we would ever stand up in front of so many people wearing lycra; I guess fame does strange things to people.    Once the paparazzi had had their fill (look out for a group photo in the gazette!) we made our way back to the Team Tonia base camp and together released the balloons. 

Anita lapping the walkers!

As the Team consisted of nine children, several of us decided to walk this race, which followed a route around the field, past the Five Rivers Leisure Centre and along the river.  The children did so so well, never complaining and actually asking to run whenever a gap appeared in the crowd ahead.  Bria and Ruby marched on in their matching tutus, and Bec found she ended up running nearly the whole course just to keep up with the enthusiastic youngsters (not bad for someone who recently had a c-section!). 

Yummy Mummies

Anita joined the walkers at the start, then left us for dust, only to reappear as she walked past us in the opposite direction on the way to the finish line, while we were only just re-entering the field - how did she get so far ahead?!!  The 'senior' group enjoyed their experience around the course - despite a minor 'cycle-path-rage' incident with a fellow 'senior' cyclist asking "don't you realise this is a cycle path?"




One of our team was carrying some extra weight for this race (no, not Emma's milk bar).  Seven month pregnant Sam made it easily round the course looking as stunning as ever, even after her hormonal outburst during our speech!

Youngest athlete Megan

Jo White and the seven......White ladies took part in this event, spanning three generations.  Dopey, Bashful, Sleepy........oh sorry, I mean Katy, Sarah and Tamsin were accompanied by their daughters and nieces and all finished in very respectable times.  At the sight of their mothers striding towards the finish line, youngsters Megan and Angus broke free onto the course, just in time to each receive a medal of their own (clearly their fathers were not paying enough attention!)

Keswick was joined by fellow canine Woody, who accompanied Sarah around the course.  The fast pace was clearly too much for the spaniel however, who bolted towards Sarah's husband Martyn at the first opportunity, leaving Sarah to complete the race on her own.  Our elite runner, Katy, ran/walked with her daughter on this occasion, handing the elite crown over to our very own professional dancer, Louise Paterson.  Louise (minus tutu) surprised herself by gracefully pirouetting around the course in an amazing time of 25 minutes. 

The presence of so many people, several of whom were mum's very close friends, made the day extremely special for us both. Mum was very fond of Salisbury and for this reason it was where her ashes were scattered.

The threat of rain had been looming all day, but the sun shone right up until the picnics had been eaten, before the rain began to fall.  The strong wind, which dishevelled hair and tied knots in the balloon ribbons, helped our balloons (eventually!) soar to the sky, carrying the dedications to loved ones celebrated and remembered.  Once again Emma and I were honoured to be standing alongside our family and friends, and as we watched the balloons disappear into the distance, we remembered mum; her infectious smile, her endless love and the warmth she gave to everyone who knew her.

When a person you love passes away
Look to the sky on a clear day.
The star that to you, appears to be bright,
Will be your loved one,
Looking upon you during the night.
The lights of heaven are what shows through
As your loved one watches all that you do.
When you feel lonely for the one that you love,
Look to the Heavens in the sky above.

Kate xxx

02/07/12