SUNNINGHILL FANCY DRESS WHEELBARROW RACE

Excitement is mounting in anticipation of this New Year’s Day Sunninghill Wheelbarrow Race. The 13th annual race will be held on New Year’s Day, 1st January 2009 at 12 noon. It will start and finish at the School Road car park behind St Michael’s School in the centre of Sunninghill. With 20 teams already signed up to compete, it is anybody’s guess who will carry off the coveted trophies for Fastest Time, Best Fancy Dress and Most Sponsorship Money Raised. Prizes will also be awarded to winning individuals. The Race is organised by the Rotary Club of Ascot, is sponsored by Ascot Racecourse and raises vital funds for the Ascot District Day Centre.

The field so far, is very diverse, with men’s and women’s teams from the Royal Berkshire Hotel, Charters Leisure Centre, ACCO, the Carpenters Arms, The Dukes Head, The Windmill, Meals on Wheels, Lewis Butcher- Sunningdale, Mill Ride Golf Club, Ascot Round Table and St. Michael’s School parents, as well as members of the local community. All are now in serious training for the big day.

There is still time to enter a team. Just contact David Mear on 01344 621419 or Geoff Donovan 01344 627197 as soon as possible.

The aim of the race is for teams of four (men, women or mixed) to push a wheelbarrow, or other form of wheeled transport, like a pram, with one of their number in it, around the marshalled course. Along the way there are six stopping points, including three pubs and three other ‘fuelling’ stations, where each member drinks either a ½ pint of beer, lager, soft drink or water.

Teams should be given a name and members should be over 18, or at least two of them. Anyone under 18 is only allowed to participate on the strict understanding that he or she is only allowed to drink soft drinks or water, and identification may be sought by the publicans or marshals.

The GOOD NEWS is that any drink consumed during the race by the participants is FREE!

As this is a charitable function, organised with the support of the Rotary Club of Ascot, and there is no entry fee, entrants are asked to obtain as much sponsorship as possible, which will form part of the donation to the Ascot District Day Centre.

After the event the participants and their supporters are invited to gather at the Carpenters Arms for a snack and further drinks when there will be a raffle and auction with superb prizes.

If you are unable to take part, you will be very welcome to cheer on the teams.