Run Talk Run Tooting - Emma's Trail Blog

This September, Run Talk Run Tooting have been working together to raise money for the British Red Cross ‘Miles for Refugees Campaign’. Individually we were tasked with travelling 72 miles, which equates to the distance between Damascus and Beirut, and we could build up our distances via whatever means we saw fit. For each of us, this was going to be a challenge focused on raising money for an important cause but also centred upon encouraging each other every step of the way, in true Run Talk Run style. So far, our individual efforts have amounted to almost 1900 miles and we have raised over £1500, with just a few days left to go.

To mark Global Trail Running Day, Saturday 19th September, we organised a team run around Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park (in Government-approved groups of 6, of course). For many this was going to be our first experience tackling trails, and those who know South London will know and understand that it was also going to be our first experience dealing with real hills! Luckily the morning was a bright one and we all arrived equipped with water and good spirits, ready for some running, chatting and photo-taking.

I think the whole team would agree that it was an incredibly gorgeous and refreshing run. We wanted to maintain the ethos of RTR and create a friendly environment, all the while sticking with a pace that was comfortable for everyone and would allow for some quality chats the whole way around. The chats, as ever, ranged from truly hilarious to honest, open and supportive. As much as the trail posed a physical challenge, we all knew we were there to enjoy ourselves and to make our miles count for our amazing cause. It was also a bonus being in such a picturesque environment that was not necessarily a regular haunt for many of our runners. 5 kilometres in when we all met to mix subgroups, we heard that while one group had been engrossed in wildlife chats and focused on seeking out the roaming deer, the other had learned from Annabel, a local, about Henry VIII’s hunting ventures around the park!

It goes without saying that one of the most rewarding parts of the day was hearing about how everyone had approached the Miles for Refugees challenge, and how they had benefitted in different ways from the hard work they were putting in. Whether people had opted for walking, running or cycling to rack up their mileage, the consensus seemed to be that people’s headspace had improved throughout the month through the opportunity to have a real focus. Overall, the physical and mental benefits of the regular exercise had been rich; as Run Talk Runners know all too well, sometimes it can feel nightmarishly difficult to drag yourself outside, but you never regret putting in the effort for a walk or a run once it’s done. To top this off, when you are lucky enough to have the RTR community behind you the whole way, it can make even the toughest of trails seem like a breeze.

Emma Murley, RTR Tooting