Book your table today, to support the incredible group of ladies running from London to Paris in aid of SSAFA. Scan the QR code on the poster or click Here.
Sharing a connection of the Royal Navy and all currently based at SHAPE Mons, 5 determined strong minded woman are taking on the London2Paris in May.
The idea to form this group came from Trudy and as she explains ‘I’ve always kept fit with running featuring alongside other things. Although I had completed quite a few 10k races, I’d never thought of going further. Charity runs were also another thing I’d done a few of – obstacle ones and relays, but I’d never thought much more about it. In 2024, 2 things happened to change my perspective. Firstly, 2 cousins of my husband announced they were running to Paris in a relay with 3 others. A half marathon a day for 4 days. Looking at the detail, I realised the 2 charities Run2Paris supports are Parkinson’s UK and SSAFA. Being stationed abroad, I have seen first-hand the support SSAFA gives to our Armed Forces, and I wanted to give something back.’
Trudy is the planner and a great one at that and is organizing the logistics of the event. She is keeping everyone on track with kit, ideas and organizing all the travel.
Trudy also goes on say ‘Secondly, when Rosie ran for 24 hours for Make A Wish here on SHAPE I thought I might just be able to do something more challenging. So, I started recruiting – Kelly and Anna agreed in principle. We asked Rosie to come on board as she had both the experience and is the most positive motivator who makes us all feel like we can achieve anything. Our fifth member is Cydney, a young Royal Navy rating who has recently got in to running. It feels like we have a great mix of experience, motivation, and youth!’
To Trudy, the event sounded more appealing than running a Marathon and with a husband serving in the Royal Navy and a young son to care for, she didn’t see how marathon training could fit into their busy lives but felt this challenge is different. It’s not about distance as much as it is about consistency. With the race starting just a mile from her sister’s home in Wimbledon and the thought of all running together for the final mile towards up the Champs Elysée it seemed like the perfect event. Strict with her training, Trudy likes to keep busy with fitness, volunteering and making sure friends are doing well.
Anna seemed to sign up for the challenge by mistake and this is a common theme with how she does crazy things. Whilst Anna doesn’t seem to have a set training plan, it does always involve some coffee! A hectic lifestyle means training isn’t always fluid, but her determination and mindset will get her through. She’s strong and her naturally busy life certainly sets her in good stead for this.
Rosie loves any type of running adventure and being outside. She spends whatever free time she has running and is always after the next challenge. She is hoping to be given the longest legs of the challenge and is determined to keep the others motivated and in high spirits! Her training consists of running with her husband most mornings and doing a structured gym strengthening programme 3 times a week.
Cydney really is the baby of the group (by about 20 years!) and is currently serving in the Royal Navy. SHAPE is her first overseas post and enjoying serving abroad. She’s completed some half marathons and is well up for this challenge with the Mum group.
As with all charities, there is fundraising involved, and the aim is to raise over 2000 pounds. Instead of just asking for sponsorship, the team are doing some bake sales and organising a proper UK Afternoon Cream Tea with entertainment. This gives the opportunity for all the internationals based in SHAPE to experience a delicious, prepared feast of the tradition UK treats, including scones, jam and clotted cream, Victoria sponge cake, cucumber sandwiches, meringues, with some fizz and all different types of Tea to drink.
If you would like to just donate to our fundraising the link is:
https://www.run2events.com/fundraisers/trudymcclement/run2paris-may-25
