The Alzheimer’s Club had a sale at the Guildhall. The craft objects on offer had been made as an activity by members of the club which meets at Abingdon Community Hospital – Monday to Friday. The money raised was to support that Alzheimer’s Club – which helps provide stimulation and social interaction.
Picture taken during the raffle draw.
This afternoon there was an open invitation for tea and birthday cake at the Helen and Douglas House Charity Shop which was five years old today.
The Abingdon Marathon begins at Tilsley Park. The route is round by Radley Lakes, through the town centre, twice round a circuit from South Abingdon through Drayton and Sutton Courtney, then back through the town centre and up the Wootton Road to Tilsley Park.
It is a fairly flat course and today started off chilly but soon turned to October sun. (Susan Douglas and Rob Taylor from Abingdon Amblers AC are pictured near Lodge Hill – just a few minutes after the 9 am start.)
As always it was well organised and friendly with lots of stewards to direct the runners and try to direct the traffic. There were some minor adjustments to the route through the town centre this year – it crossed the Market Place instead of going under the Abbey Gateway just before the 5 mile point.
Being Abingdon, there are some good waterside stretches like this view from St Helen’s Wharf towards Abingdon Bridge.
Colin Paton from the Army Athletic Association had the highest number – 1126 – on his vest, but he was to come in as number 1. Colin came in first in 2006 and was disqualified because he had not registered properly so it is good to see him win. Time this year 2:33:48.
Paul Waterston of Morpeth Harriers came in second, and first in his age category (MV40). Time 2:36:24.
In the women’s race Helen Taranowski – number 218 – came in first. Time 2:53:52. The rest of the results can be found on www.abingdonmarathon.co.uk. Official photographs available soon at Sussex Sport Photography (thanks for the comment).
I now have a Choose Abingdon card and have started building up points in some of the town’s shops.
The card is available for £3 from the Community Shop – just moved, or from any participating shop . Find out more on the Choose Abingdon website – also launched today.