Run Like Froome

July 1st this year marked the start of 2 key cycling events, the Seaton Cycle Fest and the Tour de France and how better to celebrate such an occasion than with a run. Yes, OK, not the first thing that would come to mind for a cyclist but was perhaps a precedent set for this on last year's TdF.

The idea for a run to mark the start of the CycleFest was one hatched by fellow club cyclist, press officer for British Athletics and Event Director for our 5km Seaton Park Run, who thought it would be good for existing runners who were also cycle club members, to wear their cycling jerseys for that Saturday's Park Run. Then a few weeks prior to the day, I happened to be unwrapping my TdF programme and the page fell open to a picture of Chris Froome running up Mont Ventoux, having just had his bike written off by a camera motor cycle during last year's race. Three words came to my mind 'Moves Like Jagger"? .. no but close, it was "Run Like Froome" .. and from this tag line I started a social media frenzy which galvanised my Cycling Club to do something that most would never normally do, and this was to enter a running event!

I mention Social Media, as I got two very impressive mentions .. Artist and author Mark Fairhurst tweeted me a picture of Roadrunner in lycra with the words Va Va Froome ...

And Froome himself 'Liked' a picture I then posted of our 'Friday Flyers' group out on a training run!

On the day itself we had an amazing turnout .. here are some snaps and yes, I'll probably be back to do it again sometime, but new shoes will be required as the soles on my 10 year old trainers self destructed after the first few metres running on cobbles! 

The AVP Runners

I think I'm happy to have finished! 

And the route ..