Councillors David Godfrey, Susan Carey and Carole Waters at Street Atletics in Hawkinge
Sunday 5th July and I’m in Hawkinge again. Today it’s for Street Athletics an event that’s now been held annually since 2006 in Hawkinge.
Street Athletics is the brainchild of two of Britains’ top Olympians, Linford Christie and Darren Campbell. Darren has injured himself playing football but Linford Christie is here, as he has been every year this event as been held, actively organising the races and encouraging the runners. What I particularly like about Linford Christie is the way he’s involved from start to finish and his attention is all on the children and young people taking part.
The idea is that you run. It’s as simple as that. No need for a stadium or specialist equipment. At Hawkinge we are using the Lidl car park. There are races for Under 13s, Under 15s, Under 17s and Under 20s (male and female in each age group). Everyone gets a Nike T-Shirt (and Linford was happy to sign these for the participants) and the two fastest from each age group go forward to the National Final in Manchester on 26th September.
Linford Christie keeping order at Street Athletics
Wilbert Greaves, Shepway’s Sports Development Officer, has organised the Hawkinge event and as well as the running there’s fencing, juggling, mime, African drums and dance displays. Wilbert describes himself as a swan - seemingly gliding along whilst frantically paddling to stay afloat.
Andrea from Shepway with her son
There are an amazing 186 entrants, some of whom are so small that their T-shirts look more like a dress. A large crowd turns out to cheer them on including District Councillors David Godfrey, Carole Waters and Hugh Barker. Several members of Shepway staff are also there and one has a son in the running. Someone suggests we have a councillor versus staff race but fortunately no one presses the idea.
Only when the last race has been run and the last dance display is over does Linford Christie head for the beach at Folkestone with his children.