Trust staff run in historic Half Marathon

Last updated 13-Nov-12 10:41

Five staff members known as the ‘Tarmac Troopers’ – including one who was dressed head-to-toe as a Star Wars Stormtrooper - completed the first ever Ealing Half Marathon in late September to raise money for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital’s Cardiology services. Buoyed by ‘Good Luck’ messages from a number of sources (including Olympic Gamesmakers, Underground Commuters and British soldiers) before the race and a fantastic crowd during it, the quickest team member crossed the finish line in 1 hour 44 minutes whilst the final member completed the course in 2 hours 33 minutes.

Clare Donohoe, Senior Nurse Adviser for the Supplies Department, said: "It was a race with a really good atmosphere, some strange competitors such as firemen and men dressed as swans, and it was nice to run with colleagues for a good cause."

Salem Hanna, Communications Manager, ran in the Stormtrooper outfit and was later awarded a bottle of champagne and sports vouchers for best dressed runner. He said: "I'm thrilled to have won the fancy dress competition and glad I did this for charity in the 35th anniversary year of such a great movie."

The other Tarmac Troopers were Andres Cardona (Ward Inventory Controller), who got the team’s quickest time, Herman Wa (Environmental and Energy Manager) and Isabel Kucuk (Deputy Supplies Manager). Isabel only took up running earlier this summer, and said: “I found the race psychologically challenging...but I will winge no more as I am pleased with my finish time which was a personal best with 5 minutes improvement on my last race! As a new runner, it is a most satisfying achievement. On the plus side, running as part of a team was a great motivator and definitely helped! The Trust has got a bunch of seriously good runners.”

You can still sponsor the Troopers by texting either ‘BCFH99 £5’ or ‘BCFH99 £10’ to 70070. Alternatively, you can donate online (and see more pictures of the race and ‘Good Luck’ messages) by visiting www.justgiving.com/EalingBCF .