And we're off! Hundreds enjoy the 15th annual Twilight Runway Challenge.
On Saturday 20 September, intrepid Challengers once again gathered at Blackbushe Airport to take part in our annual Twilight Runway Challenge.
In the tradition of this event, almost 900 Challengers (slightly down on last year's record numbers) ran, walked, wheeled, cycled, scooted, skated and of course even hula-hooped the runways, completing the 3, 5 or 10k circuits and raising much needed funds for a myriad of good causes.
After a record breaking hot summer, the inclement weather could not dampen the spirits of the nearly 1,000 brave people who participated in this, the 15th Twilight since it's inception in 2010. This year's event threatened to dispel the old axiom that the sun always shines on the righteous - strong winds (hold on to those gazebos!) and very dark skies... but, as if by magic, the clouds parted for the start and, led by Beryl the CMP van, the Challengers were off!
'We worked with almost 50 local charity partners,' said CMP's Anthea Rastall who manages the Twilight, 'but many people here are participating on behalf of their own favourite good cause - schools, charities and so on. Together, we estimate that we have raised over £50k this year - which is absolutely brilliant!'
Reflecting on what will be her last TRC before she leaves CMP for pastures new, Anthea added: 'What I love about Twilight is that it is and always has been a genuinely family friendly event: people from across the whole community are here, joining together to do something good for others.'
As one beaming Challenger observed at the finish line. 'This is a great local event. I've done many running events and never have I seen anything as truly inclusive as the Twilight Runway Challenge.
What an achievement!'
Twilight would not be possible without the support of so many people.
The willingness of our hosts Blackbushe Airport to welcome us back year on year is incredible. Thank you.
It would simply not be possible to mount Twilight without the generous support of our sponsors. A massive thank you to. Take a bow: Fluor, Herrington Carmichael, Solicitors, Source, UK Connect Village Hotel Farnborough, 360 Mortgages.
Our charity partners who embrace this event and want to get involved. Too many to name here but all doing remarkable, selfless work, often unseen.
The dozens of others who kindly supported the event: those who marshalled the courses, gave out race numbers, set up stalls, warmed up participants, handed out well-deserved medals, provided refreshments, played the music, directed traffic - thank you all so much.
And of course hundreds of you who entered the Twilight making this iconic, unique event such a vibrant, colourful occasion. Thank you all for your support.
Enjoy this gallery of heart warming images taken by our superb photographer Ollie Rastall, who once again recorded the event for CMP: thanks Ollie for a great job.
See you all again at Blackbushe next September for TRC16 when we'll do it all again. Full details of next year's event will be posted on this website and on our sister site www.twilight challenge.co.uk.
And it won't rain - promise!
