The Spencer Properties dance team are the latest group to sign up for the Run/Walk with the Rhinos ASDA Foundation Leeds 10k, swapping their pom-poms for running shoes for this years event on Sunday 12th July.
Dance Team Captain Nicola Booth, who will be celebrating her fifth year of running with the Rhinos this July, is excited to be heading up her team of runners that are all raising money for both the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Jane’s Appeal.
Nicola, who took on the challenge for the first time back in 2010, knows the course well and is excited by the prospect of his year enjoying the famous Leeds 10k atmosphere with her colleagues and close friends from the dance team:
“I can't wait to run with the rhinos again,” said Nicola.
"It's such a fantastic atmosphere on the day. This year I have managed to get almost all of the Rhinos Spencer Properties Dance Team girlies to join me, I have even got one of the ex-dancers to get involved, so hopefully we can raise plenty of money for Jane’s Appeal and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.”
This year Nicola and her team will be joining the biggest Run/Walk with the Rhinos team to date with a team of up to 200 runners potentially hitting the streets in July, along with this year’s RUN/WALK with the Rhinos event heandliner Jamie Peacock MBE, who will be walking the route with his family.
“Last year was a great day, everyone was hyped, the course was kinder, the sun was shining, I had lots of support from friends and family along the route. Once I'd crossed the finish line, I went straight to the Pit for a nice cold beer with my work colleagues and fellow run with Rhinos runners to celebrate.” added Nicola.
As well as providing an annual day of enjoyment and fond memories for many of the runners taking part, the Leeds 10k also holds a special significance for the full time Leeds Rhinos Foundation Dance Development Officer:
“The first year I participated, I decided to do it because me and my family had recently found out my mum had terminal cancer. My mum was very poorly but she made it to watch me run that year. It was great that I could be involved with Run/Walk with the Rhinos but would also be doing my bit to support the Jane’s Appeal as well.”
With an active role at the club, that sees Nicola splitting her time between teaching the Rhinestones Dance Academy, along with dance in schools as part of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation School Sports Offer and her role as the Spencer Properties Dance Captain, Nicola is feeling fit and ready for the challenge in 2015:
“I would love to smash my 10k PB which was 52mins, but will be happy if I cross the finish line in under an hour. I go to the gym regularly, but have just started running along the canal with fellow Run/Walk with Rhinos runner Christine Braid, where our training has taken us up to 8k last weekend, so it’s all going well so far.”
To pledge a donation to the RUN/WALK with the RHINOS team and help Nicola and the Spencer Properties dance team support Janes Appeal and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation click here
Interested in running or walking with the Rhinos this year?
Register your interest with Jessica.Bowman@leedsrugby.com
or visit http://www.leedsrhinosfoundation.org/events/run-with-the-rhinos.php and download a copy of the registration form in PDF format.