Celebrating a successful duathalon with the team in Richmond Park

It’s the second year we’ve participated in this, and it’s definitely started to get competitive.  There was more Lycra, more stretching and more enthusiasm seen all round.  However, the important reason to participating is not beating last years’ time however, but it’s to support the Kids Company, a charity dedicated to providing practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children.  Last year we raised over £1,000 and this year we’ve raised nearly £500 and are still going – with your help we can raise even more so please donate here: http://www.justgiving.com/valueclick-duathlon-part-deux/

A huge thank you to everyone who took part – and a shout out to the ValueClick winners Matthew Beck and Ant Jeffrey who completed the 5km run, 20km cycle and 10km run in 2hrs 2minutes and 59seconds.  A CJ winner was Mike Thurgood who had the best individual time of 2:04:31 – he was flying.

Everyone did a great job and it was drinks all round when we were done.  A huge thank you goes out to everyone who sponsored, and a congratulations to those who took part; Dan Powel, Matt Baker, Nick Stanford, Tom Leadbetter, Eleanor Pickering, Felix Kirschbaum, James McIntyre, Frances Ogunware, Juan Du Preez, Mike Thurgood, Matt Beck, Anthony Jeffrey, Torsten Hoyer, Donal Kane, John Coulson, Micky Nardella, Niall Moody and me.  With special thanks to Calvin Woods and Kate Downing – a couple of old industry friends who participated last minute.

Those willing to take on the challenge managed to travel the 500 miles to climb the three highest peaks in the UK: Ben Nevis in Scotland which is 1,344 metres, Scarfell Pike in England which is 978 metres and Snowdon in Wales which is 1,085 metres. This equates to 40km of walking and the vertical height gain of 3,000 metres. The average number of calories they burnt was 5,000!

40km walking

They climbed all three mountains back-to-back, snatching snippets of sleep on the coach in between the mountains. If that wasn’t bad enough, the weather didn’t hold out for them so they had to battle heavy rain, wind and terrible traffic.

Katie and Cath

You may be asking yourself why they took on this gruelling task and the answer is simple – to raise money for our company charity , Kids Company.

Founded in 1996, Kids Company help vulnerable inner-city children and young people through offering practical, emotional and educational support. In 2007 they were able to support 12,000 children through their wide range of services.

Commission Junction and ValueClick have worked with Kids Company now for over two years and have taken part in a number of activities such as painting schools, drama days, taking children on fun and educational days out and other fund-raising days. The days are usually great fun and very rewarding so if anyone wants to take part just let us know and we will try to include you in the next event.

A massive well done to all who took part in the 3 Peaks Challenge and thanks to everyone who sponsored us. Between them they raised over £4,000.

Well done!