Guernsey’s most senior politician, Deputy Gavin St Pier, pulled on his trainers on Father’s Day as he and Steve Falla took on the challenge of running a half marathon to raise money for charity.
The dynamic duo decided to run the 13.1 mile course together on the original intended day for the Butterfield Half Marathon, to raise money for their chosen charities. Taking on the same route, the pair made their way around the coast, starting at L’Eree and finishing up in Town.
Earlier this year, the event organisers postponed the half marathon because of the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled it for Sunday, 6 September 2020. Gavin runs frequently as part of his personal fitness regime and Steve had been in training for the London marathon; both were keen to take on the challenge on Father’s Day as an opportunity to raise money for the Social Investment Fund’s COVID-19 Community Charity Appeal and the States of Guernsey’s COVID-19 Response Appeal. Butterfield has already donated to the appeals to show its support to Gavin and Steve. Together they aimed to raise £500 but have exceeded that goal by almost £2000.
Deputy St Pier said: “The Father’s Day half marathon is a Guernsey institution and, while regrettably delayed, it’s great that it will go ahead in September. Steve and I run at about the same pace and we decided to run the course together this weekend specifically to raise awareness and funds for the two local COVID-19 appeals. We’re extremely grateful for the way in which people have responded to this initiative as the funds raised will help address needs that have arisen in the Bailiwick as a result of the pandemic.”
On the same day, the Butterfield Half Marathon organisers reopened the event’s registration. With a total of 800 places available and 300 participants already registered, interested runners are encouraged sign-up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
“We are very pleased to have reopened the event’s registration and we’re delighted that so many runners have registered already. The Half is always a popular event in the athletics calendar—it’s great to see that islanders’ enthusiasm for the event has not diminished despite the delay,” said Louise Perrio, Endurance Director for the Guernsey Athletics Club.
The Butterfield Half Marathon community was also invited to take part in a fun, family-friendly challenge to mark the day the event would have taken place. Individuals joined in the “Spell your Surname” Workout Challenge, where each letter of their surname corresponded to a different exercise.
“Thank you to everyone who participated in the challenge. We were keen to honour the day with a family-orientated fitness challenge and thought this was a great incentive to keep people active on Father’s Day. We look forward to bringing this community of runners back together again in September,” said Lindsay Ozanne, Managing Director of Butterfield Trust (Guernsey) Limited.
If you would like to donate to Gavin and Steve’s chosen charities you can do so by visiting their JustGiving page and for more information about how to enter the Butterfield Half Marathon, visit the Butterfield Half Marathon Facebook page.
Photo by Dulcey Lima
