Crimestoppers Runway Run achieves dual aims
SOME 440 people of all ages took part in the fourth annual Crimestoppers Runway Run on Saturday night.
Participants enjoyed the pre-race party atmosphere in the Channel Islands Air Search hangar, with music provided by DJ Bean.
Ryan Burling was taking part in the run for the first time and people were tipping him to finish first.
‘I guess people are saying that as I can run quite quickly,’ he said.
‘I just thought I had to do it today, when else are you going to get the chance to run round a runway at midnight?’
The course took entrants along the runway, guided by the landing lights.
Before the race started Guernsey Crimestoppers’ Mike Smith said participants were lucky to be avoiding bad weather so far and gave a rousing speech on what the event was all about.
‘Those who are quick enough will avoid the rain that is coming,’ he said
‘To the person on Facebook who said they were going to walk it, you’d better get a move on.
‘We do this for fun, but we are of course raising money for Crimestoppers and CIAS.
‘In the latest stats for crime, Guernsey is a low crime environment, but there were over 400 assaults, 18 of those sexual, 19 reported rapes, 470 thefts, 413 case of criminal damage and one terrorist act reported.
‘This is a local island and Crimestoppers is all about working with the community to try and provide information.
‘Detection rates are 48%, but we think it could be closer to 100%.
The runners ranging in age from 13 to 75, set off just after 11pm.
This year Crimestoppers are hoping to raise over £7,000.
Guernsey Police crime reduction advisor Andy Goodall said: ‘It’s a great fun event and it really promotes the Crimestoppers number. This is a novel way of getting our message across.’
