Family Run Stampede - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh News. A FAMILY team from the Leigh Striders running group took part in the ‘Colchester Stampede’ on May 14.

A FAMILY team from the Leigh Striders running group took part in the ‘Colchester Stampede’ on May 14.

Father and daughter Kevin and Sophie Downey, along with Sophie’s boyfriend Ronan Homer, took part in the unique race, which involves running through Colchester Zoo.

It was the first official 10k run for both Sophie, 23, and Ronan, 25, having just joined Leigh Striders in the last month, and finished at 46.45 and 35.18 respectively.

Running is not the main sport for either of them, as Sophie plays tennis and Ronan is usually found on the golf course, although he has been known to run a couple of marathons and half marathons.

Proud dad Mr Downey said: “Sophie has only really taken running seriously the last four months. She ran Brentwood half last year in 1.59 and I paced her to 1.52 this year.

“Similarly, I am her “pacer” for the parkruns and she has improved from 26 mins last year to 21.55 last week. Although I pace her, it’s all down to her hard work. I will soon need to find another pacer for her.”

Mr Downey, who has been running for about 30 years, added: “I’m very proud of both of them. It was a great day topped off by a tour around Colchester Zoo.

“All my PBs are history, but I want to keep doing well in the over 55 categories and I’m enjoying pacing my daughter – while I still can.”

Picture: Ronan, Sophie and Kevin

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