Human Race - London

September 2nd, 2008 by Colleen Wilson (LAF Staff)

From the moment I got to London it was clear that the Human Race was happening on 31.08.08. Promo pieces on the street, on walls in the tube and all over Oxford Circus where Niketown-London resides.

On race day, as I exited the tube at Wembley Park station and made my way down the steps, it was clear to me London was ready for this event! There was a large banner that read… “Come on London. Let’s go hell for Leather” In London almost 20,000 runners took part in a historic event, starting with the concert inside the world famous Wembley Stadium, with Moby and Pendulum creating a show to remember, and generating incredible energy for all runners, and in addition for the 5000 spectators who came to see the bands and cheer on their loved ones. Set off by Paula Radcliffe, and Sebastian Coe, the runners battled through the 10k course, despite torrential rain (a typical London summer!), running through every puddle with huge smiles, having experienced something that London has never seen before.

What I was most excited about was setting up the LAF booth. People in London get very excited about “running for something.” This is how they would start talking to me… they would walk up and say, “I am running for this group!!” At the booth I had wristbands, some LIVESTRONG caps and a Survivor Notebook for people to take a look at. One fellow walked up, and as he looked through with tears in his eyes, turned to me and said, “I wish I would have had something like this when I went through cancer.” It was wonderful how comfortable people felt sharing their stories and learning about what it means to be a part of the LIVESTRONG Army!

I can see a LIVESTRONG movement in the UK, which is truly exciting! Here are a few pictures from this “quite brilliant event!”

Cheers!!